8-12th Grade Reading Analysis
Directions:
1. Please familiarize yourself with this list of literary terms
down below. As you notice certain terms being used in the
novel, put a sticky note, or just make a note in the text to
show where it is used. This will help you answer questions
when you complete the novel.
2. Read the text (taking notes as you read)
3. Notice patterns of the author and literary work
4. Return to your notes for evidence in order to write a
reading response
Literary Terms:
Characters: The people (or entities) who play roles in the work. The protagonist is
the main character in the work.
Conflict: The conflict is the driving force behind the plot, the event that causes
action in the narrative, usually on the part of the protagonist
Context: The broader circumstances surrounding the work political and social
climate in which it was written or the experience of the author. It can also refer to
internal context, and the details presented by the narrator
Diction: The word choice used by the narrator or characters
Genre: A category of literature characterized by agreed upon similarities in the
works, such as subject matter and tone
Imagery: The descriptive or figurative language used to paint a picture in the
reader’s mind so they can picture the story’s plot, characters, and setting
Metaphor: A figure of speech that uses comparison between two unlike objects for
dramatic or poetic effect
Narrator: The person who tells the story. Sometimes they are a character within
the story, but sometimes they are omniscient and removed from the plot.
Plot: The storyline of the work
Point of view: The perspective taken by the narrator, which skews the perspective
of the reader
Setting: The time and place in which the story takes place. This can include
elements like the time period, weather, time of year or day, and social or
economic conditions
Symbol: An object, person, or place that represents an abstract idea that is
greater than its literal meaning
Syntax: The structure of a sentence, either narration or dialogue, and the tone it
implies
Theme: A recurring subject or message within the work, often commentary on
larger societal or cultural ideas
Tone: The feeling, attitude, or mood the text presents
Reading Response Questions
1. How does the author use symbolism, imagery, or other
literary devices to convey the theme or message?
2. Which character undergoes the most significant change
throughout the story? How do their actions affect other
characters or the overall plot arc?
3. How does the setting contribute to the atmosphere, tone,
or theme of the story? Would a different setting impact the
narrative significantly?
4. What are some potential motivations for a character’s
behavior? Discuss at least two different interpretations.
5. How do social and cultural factors influence the characters’
actions, beliefs, or decisions?
CHOOSE ONE BELOW:
1. Create an alternative ending for the story that aligns with its central
theme but alters the outcome or consequences experienced by main
characters.
2. Choose a key scene from the book and retell it from another character’s
perspective. How does this change your understanding of that character’s
motivations?
3. Think of an object or symbol that holds significance for one of the
characters. Write a descriptive passage in which this object plays a central
role, conveying its emotional or thematic importance.
4. Select a quote from the book that resonated deeply with you. Incorporate
it into a paragraph that analyzes its relevance and implications concerning
the story’s broader themes.
5. Write a letter from one character to another, discussing a pivotal decision
or moment within the text, revealing their insights, reflections, and
emotions
