Often a one-paragraph response in your journal will be assigned from a
prompt listed below. Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization.
1. Describe the protagonist (main character) or antagonist (character against
the main character) using personality and physical attributes.
2. Describe the setting (where and when the story takes place). Use details
from the book.
3. Compare yourself to a character. Explain how you are similar/different.
4. Predict what will happen next. Explain why.
5. Explain the genre. Give specific examples.
6. Describe the conflict in the book. Be sure to include the characters
involved in the conflict.
7. Describe one event that creates suspense.
8. Describe the climax (turning point).
9. Choose a conflict facing one of the characters and put yourself in the
characters place. What would you have done if you were in the same situation?
Explain why.
10. Find an example of figurative language the author uses (i.e. metaphors,
similes, personification, idioms)
11. Summary: A summary is a short writing about what you just read. It states
who, what, where, when, and why. Below is a paragraph organizer that you may
use to write your summary.
* In the story __(title)__, __(author)__ writes about ______________
(character + brief plot = what did the character do? What happened to the
character?).
12. Opinion: This is where you share what you think of the book so far. Is it
funny, sad, exciting surprising (choose one). It is extremely important that
you provide examples of why you think the book is (funny, sad, exciting....)
Support your opinion with examples from the text you are reading.
13. How is your book similar to another book you have read?
14. Write a recommendation for this book and include your reasoning.
15. If you could change one part of the book, what would it be and why.
Literary Genre
Realistic Fiction – set in the present but not true
Historical Fiction – set in the past
With some accurate historical facts
Science Fiction – set in the future
Fantasy – imaginary story that could not happen in real life
Mystery – a story with an unanswered question
Traditional Literature – fairy tales/folk tales usually passes down orally
from person to person
Poetry – writing with imaginative language and rhythm
Nonfiction – information, true
Biography – true story of a person’s life
Autobiography - true story of a person’s life written by that person