1. Give a brief summary of the plot. (this should be YOUR summary, not Sparknotes.) It should be 1-2 full pages and tell the story without giving away the ending or any surprises. Include 3-5 of the main events and describe what happens.
2. In 5-10 sentences, explain the significance of the title. (Authors do not choose a title randomly; it is symbolic in some way.)
3. In 5-10 sentences, describe the context of the novel (setting, genre, time period, location, etc.)
4. In 1-2 full, well-organized pages (typed, double-spaced), discuss your ideas about the main character(s). Discuss what you like or dislike about them and why they are worthy of praise and/or criticism. Identify what caused a major change in the main character(s) and explain how the character (s) changed. These changes may have been a consequence of choice, a conflict, a display of some outstanding trait like courage, or even a result of events that occur during the novel.
5. Copy one of your passages from the book (the passage should be approximately 25-100 words) and write one paragraph about why the passage is your choice.
6. List 3 truths about human nature your book discusses and find 3 events from the text that relate to those truths.
7. Choose one sentence from the book that you feel embodies the theme of the story. Illustrate the theme/sentence in whatever way you choose that brings the theme to life.
8. Choose a controversial issue that relates to your book. (i.e. if you're reading A Doll's House: is it better for mothers to stay at home to raise kids or should they work outside the home?) Take a stand on ONE SIDE of the issue. Write one full-page paper discussing your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with this issue.
9. Create 5 thought-provoking discussion questions for this novel.
10. Select and complete 1 creative project that relates to and reflects the main points of your novel. Suggestions: book jacket, character scrap or memory book, theme or symbol collage, diorama, newspaper, character diary, character/scene sketch, menus from the text, comic or political cartoon, song, travel brochure, scene rewrite from a different point of view, movie poster with a cast of stars and justification of your choices, etc.