This document provides a template for students to fill out when reviewing a novel or play. It includes spaces to identify the title, author, main characters, setting, symbols, genre, and quote. It also lists several topics for analysis and asks students to check off which topics apply and take notes on each selected topic.

1. Honors/Accelerated Novel/Play Review Name_________________________
Title of Work:
Author:
Protagonist:
Antagonist:
Other important characters:
Setting:
Important places:
Symbols:
Recurring motifs:
Genre/Literary Movement:
General quote from the text (to be memorized):
TOPICS: Check off all of the topics that would work for the above-named book. On the back
of this sheet or on a separate sheet of paper make notes for each of the topics.
 Journey as force
 Transformation (literal/figurative)
 Descent into madness/hell
 Reversal of beliefs or ideas
 Ceremony or ritual (wedding, funeral, religious service, social gathering) and its
significance
 Use of fool or comic character and purpose
 Opening scene establishes character, conflict or theme of work
 Minor characters used to develop major characters, theme or other important idea in
work
 Author’s use of violence and reason for doing so
 How time is used/manipulated in novel/play
 Parent/child or sibling relationships and their significance
 Analysis of villain or morally ambiguous character w/ regard to entire work
 Use of unrealistic character or element (i.e. magical realism) and its effect on the work
 Relevance of non-modern work to present day
 Passion vs. responsibility
 Character vs. society
 Contrasts (settings, ideas, characters)
 Use and effect of humor or comedy
 Role of confidante