Free Literature Study GuidesQuestions to Get You Started!Looking for free literature study guides? There are many on the internet, but if you're looking for basic questions to ask whenever you assign your children a book to read or do a report, here are just a few to get you started. :) If you're looking for really good literature study guides on a huge list of books for all grade levels, give Progeny Press a try. I use these free literature study guides at a literature class I teach at the co-op we belong to and have been really happy with them. Okay...here's the list of free literature study guides questions to get you started. What is the genre? NARRATOR Who is the narrator? Is the narrator also a character? What role does the narrator play in the development of the plot? Do we trust the narrator? CHARACTERS Who are the main characters? How are they introduced in the story? When are they introduced? What do we know about these characters? CHARACTERIZATION How are the major characters drawn? What are their major strengths? Weaknesses? Are they active? Passive? How do the characters function in relationship to one another? How do the minor characters work with the major characters? Do we trust the characters? Why or why not? BACKGROUND How does the story start? What happened before the story started? Where does the reader "land" in the story? How do we learn this background? Is the delivery of this background important to the plot of the story? POINT OF VIEW Would the point of view change if the narrator were changed? Is this story in first person? Do you assume the narrator is the voice of the author? Why or why not? Would the story be as good (or bad) if the narrator were different? ACTION, SPEECH, IDEAS How do characters present their ideas? How is speech crafted to provide characterization? Which is more important to the character - actions or speech? Does the reader "get inside the head" of any character? Do the characters change (for better or worse) during the story? CHARACTER AND SETTING What time period is the story set? Do the characters behave according to the standards of time and location? What do we need to understand about the time period, customs, language, mores, habits, and traditions of the culture or time period? SETTING How does the author address setting? Is the Setting described in full or is it implied? What role does the setting play in the plot/action of the story? How does the setting establish mood? Does the setting impact character development? PLOT Is the plot of the story the most meaningful part of the story? If not, what is? Is there anything missing in the plot? Is this element on purpose? Are there any inconsistencies in the plot? Are these intentional? How does memory play a role in the development of the plot? Do we trust these memories? ORGANIZATION OF PLOT Is the story organized thematically or chronologically? Would the outcome be different if the events happened differently? What are the motivations of the major and minor characters? REALITY AND BELIEVABILITY Is this story believable or fantastical? Does the story need to be believable to achieve the overall effect or impact of the story? How does the plot function in believability? Are the characters believable? Is the setting realistic? Does it need to be realistic? THEME Is this story didactic? What is the point of the story - to inform, persuade, or entertain? How does the plot establish the theme? How do the character function in relationship to the theme? What value statements are implied by the theme? TRADITIONAL THEMES Does this story present a new theme or a twist on a familiar theme? What other works exist with a similar theme? Is the theme of this work consistent with the genre or time period of the author or work? LANGUAGE How is language used in the story? How are words chosen? How are paragraphs organized? How are quotations used? Does the author use sensory description? Are your senses engaged? Does the author assume your familiarity with the senses needed to appreciate the story? Are you able to fill in gaps for missing speech, ideas, actions, characters? SYMBOLS Are symbols used in the story? Do the character recognize the symbols, or are the symbols used for the benefit of the reader only? Do these symbols add meaning? Why, or why not? Are there major and minor symbols? Are the symbols archetypal? TWISTS AND MANIPULATIONS Is there anything twisted through exaggeration? Is this done on purpose? Is this technique effective? What are the consequences of manipulating details? What do we need to know about them? Do they fit any archetypal patterns? I hope you enjoyed these free literature study guides questions and use them frequently in your homeschooling! Back to Homeschool Resources
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