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Generic Fiction Questions

50 Great Book Club Discussion Questions For Any Book

Teresa Preston

Since 2008, Teresa Preston has been blogging about all the books she reads at Shelf Love . She supports her book habit by working as a magazine editor at a professional association in the Washington, DC, area, which is (in)conveniently located just a few steps from a used bookstore. When she’s not reading or editing, she’s likely to be attending theatre, practicing yoga, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer again, or doting on her toothless orange cat, Anya. Twitter: @teresareads

View All posts by Teresa Preston

I’ve been in a lot of book clubs, and I know it’s not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. I’ve found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are open-ended and that get people to share their personal opinions. If you’re ready to start a book club , here are 50 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Find a printable list to bring to your meeting here !

How did I create this list of book club discussion questions?

Simply put, I’ve assembled a list of the kinds of questions that are likely to get people talking. Most of these are non-specific and designed to work for any book. Although, of course, some will work better than others for particular books).

I’ve also included a few questions that are meant for specific types of books, like fiction or nonfiction. Just pick and choose the discussion questions that work best for you and your book group, and get the conversation going! Bring the printable questions along for help.

a stack of books agains a teal background. Text above the image reads "50 Great Book Club Discussion Questions"

General Book Club Discussion Questions

1. What did you like best about this book?

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2. What did you like least about this book?

3. What other books did this remind you of?

4. Which characters in the book did you like best?

5. Which characters did you like least?

6. If you were making a movie of this book, who would you cast?

7. Share a favorite quote from the book. Why did this quote stand out?

8. What other books by this author have you read? How did they compare to this book?

9. Would you read another book by this author? Why or why not?

10. What feelings did this book evoke for you?

11. What did you think of the book’s length? If it’s too long, what would you cut? If too short, what would you add?

12. What songs does this book make you think of? Create a book group playlist together!

13. If you got the chance to ask the author of this book one question, what would it be?

14. Which character in the book would you most like to meet?

15. Which places in the book would you most like to visit?

16. What do you think of the book’s title? How does it relate to the book’s contents? What other title might you choose?

17. What do you think of the book’s cover? How well does it convey what the book is about? If the book has been published with different covers, which one do you like best?

18. What do you think the author’s purpose was in writing this book? What ideas was he or she trying to get across?

19. How original and unique was this book?

20. If you could hear this same story from another person’s point of view, who would you choose?

21. What artist would you choose to illustrate this book? What kinds of illustrations would you include?

22. Had you heard about the book before starting it? Do you think it was overhyped or should be celebrated more?

Book Club Discussion Questions for Fiction

23. Did this book seem realistic?

24. How well do you think the author built the world in the book?

25. Did the characters seem believable to you? Did they remind you of anyone?

26. Did the book’s pace seem too fast/too slow/just right?

27. If you were to write fanfic about this book, what kind of story would you want to tell?

28. Was the pacing— beginning, middle, and end— done well?

29. Which other character would have made an interesting protagonist?

30. Did the characters’ motives seem reasonable or a little far-fetched?

31. Sometimes books start off strong, but have endings that fall a little flat. Then there are books that are a little hard to get into at first, but are enjoyable after a while. How did you find this one?

32. If there were any twists or big reveals, how believable were they?

33. How did the setting progress the story?

34. Was there symbolism present? If so, what did you think of the message the author was trying to convey?

Book Club Questions for Nonfiction

35. What did you already know about this book’s subject before you read this book?

36. What new things did you learn?36. What questions do you still have?

38. What else have you read on this topic, and would you recommend these books to others?

39. What do you think about the author’s research? Was it easy to see where the author got his or her information? Were the sources credible?

40. Conveying research in a way that’s understandable and enjoyable to read for non-experts can be a challenge. How well do you feel the author did this? What do you think of their writing style?

Discussion Questions for Memoir

41. What aspects of the author’s story could you most relate to?

42. How honest do you think the author was being?

43. What gaps do you wish the author had filled in? Were there points where you thought he shared too much?

44. Think about the other people in the book besides the author. How would you feel to have been depicted in this way?

45. Why do you think the author chose to tell this story?

Book Club Discussion Questions for Short Story and Essay Collections

46. Which short story/essay did you like best?

47. Which short story/essay did you like least?

48. What similarities do these stories share? How do they tie together?

49. Do you think any of the stories could be expanded into a full-length book?

50. There have been many popular films that have been adapted from short stories. Which of these do you think would be well adapted into a show or movie?

Printable Book Club Questions

Download all of these in an easy book club printable here .

For more book club help, check out puntastic and fun book club names , some of the best book club books for 2022 , and how to start a book club .

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12 Best Book Club Questions for Any Book

Updated: Jan 10, 2024

Zoe Epstein

Today in our How to Book Club series , we’re tackling the best book club questions for a great discussion. Some people like to wing it for book club, but others live by Alexander Graham Bell’s aphorism that preparation is the key to success.

One of the best ways to ensure a successful book club meeting is to come prepared with good discussion questions. A great list of discussion questions can help you avoid awkward silences and move your club beyond obvious questions like whether or not you liked the book.

So dive into our favorite discussion questions below, and when you're ready to take your book club to the next level, organize your next meeting and manage your club membership with Bookclubs.com or the Bookclubs app . From scheduling meetings and polling members , to tracking books and facilitating discussion with ready-made book club questions , we have all the tools you need to focus on the joy of reading together.

Looking for a book club questions for a specific book?

A great place to start is Bookclubs' Book Club Discussion Guide center , which has book-specific questions for hundreds of titles. Check back often as we add book club questions for new book club books every week! Some are written by Bookclubs staff, while others come from the books’ publishers.

General book club questions for any book!

If you can’t find a guide for the book your club is reading, we’ve put together this helpful list of general book club questions. These questions work well for almost any book, whether you’re reading fiction or non-fiction.

Take a look through, pick out a few questions that you think will work best with your book, and never worry about running out of things to talk about at book club again!

If you're in search of even more questions, check out our ultimate list of book club discussion questions for fiction and nonfiction, with 124 book club questions broken out by genre .

Would you recommend this book to someone? Why or why not (or with what caveats)? What kind of reader would most enjoy this book?
Did you find the author’s writing style easy to read or hard to read? Why? How long did it take you to get into the book?
Who was your favorite character? What character did you identify with the most? Were there any characters that you disliked? Why?
Did any part of this book strike a particular emotion in you? Which part and what emotion did the book make you feel?
How much did you know about this book before picking it up? What surprised you the most about the book?
Was there any part of the plot or aspects of the characters that frustrated or upset you? If so, why?
How thought-provoking did you find the book? Did the book change your opinion about anything, or did you learn something new from it? If so, what?
Did you highlight or bookmark any passages from the book? Did you have a favorite quote or quotes? If so, share which and why?
From your point of view, what were the central themes of the book? How well do you think the author did at exploring them?
Compare this book to other books you have read by the same author, or other books you have read covering the same or similar themes. How are they the same or different?
How would you adapt this book into a movie? Who would you cast in the leading roles?

Finally, here at Bookclubs, we like to end all of our book club meetings with this question:

Rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest. Why did you give the book the rating you did? Did any part of this book club discussion change your rating from what it would have been directly after finishing the book?

Then use the Bookclubs app or website to record your rating and share a review of the book !

Download free printable book club questions

Keep your book club discussion questions at your fingertips with our book club questions pdf , making it easy for you to plan and lead insightful discussions about the books you read. With the printable book club questions readily available, you can focus on fostering meaningful conversations with your book club members, instead of worrying about coming up with questions on the spot.

Looking for more on how to run a book club discussion?

Coming prepared with good discussion questions is only the first step to a great book club conversation. Bookclubs also has all the club organizing tools you’ll need to keep your book club running smoothly.

Automated Meeting Scheduling & Reminders: The meeting syncs with your calendar and all members receive a notification so whether you’re meeting virtually or in-person, you’re keeping book club on the calendar!
Interactive Polls: Avoid those lengthy email chains with our interactive polls for book selection, choosing your next meeting time, and more.
Message Boards & 1:1 Direct Messages: Share your latest book banter with direct messaging features and club message boards.
Digital Shelving: Keep track of what your club (or you) has read and wants to read next. See in an instant what your club is reading this month, view your past reads in one place, and recommend books to each other – so you always have options for what to read next!
Track Your Reading Goals: Set a goal for the number of books you'll read over the course of the year, the number of book club meetings you'll attend, or jot down and memorialize any other reading-related intentions you might have. Check back over the course of the year to see your progress, and we'll even send you reminders and motivation if you're falling behind.
Grow Your Club: Looking to connect with readers outside your personal circle? Open your club to the public and find new members in your hometown or across the globe.

Say hello to a better book club experience today and create your free account to get started.

Do you have any other must-ask general book club discussion questions? Share them in the comments below!

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BIBLIOLIFESTYLE

Bibliolifestyle, 113+ thought-provoking book club discussion questions.

These conversation starters that will spark interesting debates and deepen your understanding of the books you read.

Last Updated on April 20, 2024 by BiblioLifestyle

Looking to elevate your book club meetings? Look no further! We’ve curated a list of 113+ thought-provoking book club discussion questions that are sure to spark lively conversations and deepen your understanding of the books you read. Whether you’re a seasoned book club enthusiast or just starting out, these questions will help you delve deeper into the themes, characters, and messages of your chosen books. From classics to contemporary bestsellers, we’ve got you covered with a diverse range of questions that will challenge your perspectives and encourage fascinating debates. Get ready to explore the hidden layers of your favorite novels, connect with fellow book lovers on a deeper level, and take your book club meetings to the next level. So let’s dive in and embark on a journey of literary exploration together!

Why book club discussion questions are important

Book club discussion questions play a crucial role in elevating the overall experience of your book club meetings. They go beyond simple plot summaries and encourage participants to engage with the book’s themes, characters, and underlying messages. These questions provide a framework for deeper analysis and interpretation, helping you and your fellow book club members develop a richer understanding of the books you read. By discussing these thought-provoking questions, you can uncover hidden layers, explore different perspectives, and gain new insights that you might have missed on your own.

Discussion questions also foster a sense of community and connection within your book club. They encourage lively debates and allow participants to share their unique interpretations and personal experiences related to the book. Through these discussions, you’ll develop a deeper bond with your fellow book lovers as you explore the literary world together and gain a better understanding of each other’s perspectives.

How to create book club discussion questions?

Creating thought-provoking book club discussion questions is an art form that takes practice and experience. When crafting questions, think of topics that will encourage participants to engage with the book’s themes and characters. Consider what made you connect to the text personally and why certain scenes or messages resonated with you. These are great starting points for finding meaningful topics for discussion. Additionally, you can try asking questions that explore different perspectives or invite people to share their personal experiences related to the book. Once you have a few questions written down, go back and refine them to make sure they are open-ended and engaging. With these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to create book club discussion questions that will bring your meetings to life!

What are good book club discussion questions?

Good book club discussion questions should be open-ended and thought-provoking. They should allow participants to engage with the themes, characters, and ideas of the book at a deeper level. Here are some examples of good book club discussion questions:

What was your initial impression of the protagonist? How did this opinion evolve as you read through the book?
How did the author use symbolism to communicate underlying themes throughout the story?
Did any particular scenes or lines stand out to you? Why do you think they were included in the text?
What aspects of the book made you feel connected to its characters and messages?
In what ways do you think this relates to present-day or modern society?

List of Book Club Discussion Questions

General discussion questions for any book.

What was your initial reaction to the book’s title, cover, or blurb?
Did the book meet your expectations? Why or why not?
How did the book make you feel? Did it evoke any specific emotions?
Were there any particular passages or quotes that stood out to you? Why?
Did the book change your perspective on any topic or issue? If so, how?
Did the author effectively convey the book’s themes? Why or why not?
How did the book’s pacing and structure impact your reading experience?
Did the characters feel realistic and relatable? Why or why not?
Were there any unresolved plot points or loose ends that bothered you?
Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

These general discussion questions provide a starting point for any book club meeting. They allow participants to share their overall impressions and engage in a broad discussion about the book’s impact. Feel free to adapt and expand upon these questions to suit the specific book you’re discussing.

Discussion questions for fiction books

Fiction books offer rich opportunities for exploration and analysis. Use these discussion questions to delve into the intricacies of the story, characters, and themes.

How did the author use language and imagery to create the setting and atmosphere?
Which character did you relate to the most? Why?
Were there any characters you found particularly intriguing or compelling? Why?
How did the protagonist’s journey or transformation impact the story?
Did the book challenge any preconceived notions or stereotypes? How?
Were there any plot twists or surprises that caught you off guard? How did they change your understanding of the story?
Did the book explore any social or political issues? If so, what were they and how were they portrayed?
How did the book’s ending resonate with you? Were you satisfied or left wanting more?
Did the author effectively use symbolism or metaphors? If so, how did they enhance your reading experience?
How did the book’s narrative style contribute to your engagement with the story?

Discussion questions for non-fiction books

Non-fiction books offer unique opportunities for learning and discussion. Use these questions to explore the author’s arguments, research, and real-world implications.

What is the main thesis or central argument of the book? Were you convinced by it?
Did the author provide sufficient evidence to support their claims? Why or why not?
How did the book challenge or expand your knowledge on the topic?
Were there any sections of the book that you found particularly thought-provoking or eye-opening? Why?
Did the author present different perspectives on the topic? How did they handle conflicting viewpoints?
Did the book change your opinion on the subject matter? If so, how?
How did the author’s writing style impact your understanding and engagement with the book?
Did the book inspire you to take any action or explore further research on the topic? Why or why not?
Did the book raise any questions or issues that you would like to discuss further?
How did the book compare to other books or sources you’ve read on the same topic?

Discussion questions for classic literature

Classic literature provides a treasure trove of timeless themes and complex characters. Use these questions to delve into the depths of the classics.

How does this classic work resonate with contemporary issues or concerns?
What makes this book a classic? Why do you think it has stood the test of time?
How does the author’s writing style reflect the time period in which the book was written?
Were there any cultural or historical aspects of the book that you found difficult to understand or relate to?
How does the book explore universal human experiences or emotions?
Did the book challenge any societal norms or conventions of its time? If so, how?
How does the book’s language and imagery contribute to its overall impact?
Did the book’s ending leave room for interpretation or closure? How did it affect your reading experience?
How do the characters in this classic work compare to those found in contemporary literature?
How does this classic work relate to other books or authors from the same time period?

113 Thought-Provoking Book Club Discussion Questions

What was the central message or moral of the story?
What were some of the key themes explored in the text?
How did you feel about the characters and their development throughout the book?
Was there a particular scene that really stood out to you?
Who was your favorite character, and why?
What did you think about the way the author handled difficult topics or controversial themes?
How would you rate this book on a scale of 1-10, and why?
Was there any symbolism or recurring motifs in the text that resonated with you?
How does this book connect to current events or popular culture?
What did you learn from reading this book?
Is there anything you would change about the story or its characters?
In what ways was the ending satisfying or unsatisfying?
Did any of the quotes stick with you after finishing the book?
What were your thoughts on the author’s writing style or narrative choices?
How would you describe the overall mood of the book and why?
Are there any universal truths explored in this book that have meaning for other people as well?
In what ways did this text challenge or confirm expectations?
What did you think of the book’s setting, and why was it important for the story?
How do you think this book compares to other works in the same genre?
Did any particular scenes make you laugh, cry, or feel empathy?
If you could ask the author one question about this book, what would it be?
What were your impressions of the antagonists, and did they have any redeeming qualities?
Were there any moral or ethical dilemmas that resonated with you during the reading?
What themes do you think will stay relevant for years to come?
How did the book’s title relate to the story? Was it a fitting choice?
Which characters resonated with you the most, and why?
If you could rewrite a part of the story, which part would it be and why?
Did the book alter your perspective on a certain topic or issue?
How has the book influenced your thoughts or emotions?
Did the book end the way you expected it to?
Can you relate to any of the characters or situations in the book?
What emotions did the first and last pages of the book evoke?
How did the book’s pace affect your reading experience?
Would you recommend this book to someone else? Why or why not?
How would you envision a sequel or prequel to this book?
What contemporary issues did the book bring to light?
Did the book’s resolution feel authentic and satisfying?
If you had the chance to interview the author, what would you ask?
How did the book’s genre influence its overarching themes?
What insights did the book provide into human nature?

Could the events in the book occur in real life?
Would you classify the book as a “page-turner”? Why or why not?
How did the author create suspense or tension in the book?
Do you think the book would be different if it was written from another character’s perspective?
Can you identify any symbols in the book, and what do they signify?
If you could ask a character in the book a question, what would it be?
How do the book’s themes relate to your own life experiences?
Would the book’s impact be different if it was set in a different time or place?
What emotions did the book stir up in you as you were reading?
What are your final thoughts on the book?
How did the author’s background or personal experiences influence the narrative?
Did you find the book’s premise original and captivating?
Does the book contain any subplots? If so, how do they contribute to the main story?
How did the book’s structure influence its narrative flow?
Can you identify a turning point in the book? How did it affect the story?
Do you think the title gives away too much or too little about the book?
How has the book changed or enhanced your understanding of a particular era or culture?
Do you think the book would translate well into a movie or TV series?
What kind of emotions did you experience while reading the climax of the book?
Was the protagonist’s journey and transformation believable to you?
Did the book’s pace enhance or detract from your reading experience?
If you could spend a day with one of the characters, who would it be and why?
How does the book explore the complexity of human relationships?
Did the author effectively use foreshadowing to hint at future events in the book?
To whom in your life would you recommend this book, and why?
Do you think the protagonist made the right decisions throughout the book?
What passage from the book would you quote to entice someone to read it?
How did the setting contribute to the overall mood of the book?
If you could change one thing about the book, what would it be and why?
How has this book challenged or reinforced your pre-existing beliefs or values?
Which character underwent the most compelling transformation and why?
Can you identify any strong imagery used in the book, and how did it contribute to the story?
How do you think the book will be remembered decades from now?
How did the author’s tone contribute to the mood of the book?
If the book were to be adapted into a film, who would you cast as the main characters?
Did the author’s choice of words enhance your reading experience?
Did the book evoke a strong sense of place? How did it add to the story?
Did you find any aspect of the book predictable?
What is your favorite dialogue or quote from the book and why?
Did the book leave you with any unanswered questions?

Did the characters and their actions feel credible within the world the author created?
How did the relationships between characters evolve throughout the book?
Were there any unexpected plot twists? How did they impact your reading experience?
Was there a specific event or moment that you found most impactful in the book? Why?
If you could ask the author to expand on a particular aspect or scene in the book, what would it be?
Was there a character with whom you shared a personal connection? If so, who was it and why did you feel connected?
Did the climax of the book meet your expectations? Why or why not?
If a sequel were to be written, what elements or characters would you like to see explored further?
Did the narrative style impact your connection with the characters or your understanding of the plot?
Were there any sections of the book you found confusing or difficult to understand? How did this affect your overall impression of the book?
How does the author handle the element of time in the book? Did it enhance or detract from the narrative?
How does this book compare to the other books you’ve read recently?
If you were the author, what is one thing you would have done differently when writing this book?
Did you feel the characters’ actions drove the plot, or did the plot drive the characters’ actions?
How does the book’s ending compare to its beginning, and how do they fit together as a whole?
What specific techniques did the author use to keep you engaged throughout the book?
Are there any connections between this book and other books by the same author?
Did anything about the book surprise or disappoint you? If so, what was it and why?
How do the characters develop or regress throughout the book’s plot?
Did the book draw any comparisons between real life and its fictional world?
What themes did this book explore that are outdated?
How effectively did the author utilize different points of view techniques to tell their story?
Do you think this book will still resonate in fifty years, or do you think it is more suited for this present time?
How did the book’s resolution affect your reading experience?
In what ways could the book have been improved upon?
Are there any elements of the story that felt unresolved at the end of the book?
What would you say are the main themes of this book?
How does the book provide insight into different aspects of human life?
Do you think the author’s chosen styles of writing was effective? Why or why not?
Looking back on your experience reading the book, can you identify any lessons you learned from it?
Were there any thematic elements that were introduced but not fully explored?
What elements of the story were most impactful when considering its overall message?
Do you think any additional characters could have enhanced the narrative of the book?

How do you make a book club interesting?

Making a book club interesting lies in the unique blend of the books you choose, the discussions you foster, and the atmosphere you create. Start by selecting a diverse range of books across different genres, cultures, and authors to keep the reading list fresh and exciting. Encourage lively and open-ended discussions, not just about the book’s plot and characters, but about its themes, relevance to current events, and its impact on readers. Engage in creative activities related to the book, like themed meetings or author Q&As, to add an extra layer of fun and interactiveness. You can also bring the book to life by organizing related field trips or movie nights. Above all, create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone’s opinion is valued and respected, fostering a sense of community among members. Remember, the ultimate goal is for each member to enrich their understanding of literature, enjoy riveting discussions, and create lasting friendships.

How do I make my book club more interactive?

Making your book club more interactive is all about fostering a sense of engagement and interactivity among members. Here are some tips to help make your virtual (or in-person) meetings more engaging:

Utilize polls or other survey tools to engage with participants before the meeting begins, allowing them to share their thoughts while also getting a better sense of the group’s opinion.
Play games that encourage members to think more deeply about the book, like asking participants to come up with their own creative discussion questions or plot twists based on the text.
Create smaller breakout groups for deeper conversations and personal reflections, which can then be shared in the main meeting afterwards.
Encourage members to share quotes from the book that resonated with them or guided their interpretation of it.
Set aside an allotted amount of time for each person to talk and express their thoughts on the book, allowing everyone a fair chance to participate.
Have fun! Don’t be afraid to do something unexpected or out-of-the-box that will make the book come alive for your members.

Where to find more book club discussion questions?

Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available online to help you find exciting book club discussion questions. Additionally, many authors and publishers provide official discussion guides with suggested topics and questions for their books. Finally, if you’re stuck or looking for inspiration, you can also check out our list of book club discussion questions above. This curated list includes a diverse range of topics and ideas to help you take your meetings to the next level.

What are your thoughts on these book club discussion questions?

Do you answer or ask questions after you’ve finished reading? Do you prepare questions ahead of your book club discussion? Are book club discussion questions used as part of your book club meeting? What book club discussion questions would you add to this list? Let us talk about it in the comments below!

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Take High School Literature to the Next Level With These Discussion and Writing Activities

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Want more? Get free access to over 100 printable teaching guides for popular high school literature.

Whether you’ve been teaching the same novel for years or are adding a brand-new one to your syllabus, sometimes it can be tough to think of engaging discussion questions, writing prompts, and activities. That’s why we love the 100+ free teaching guides available from HarperCollins (for almost any novel you can think of!). Thorough and well written, they often provide just the dose of inspiration that we need.

Below, we share excerpts from eight of our favorite discussion guides so you can get a sneak peek—but definitely check out the full list, too .

Brave New World

Activity: pull discussion questions out of a hat.

Write your favorite questions from the Brave New World teaching guide on slips of paper and have students pull them out of a hat. Throughout the discussion, each student has the responsibility of asking their question.

Sample Discussion Questions:

The World State’s motto suggests that community, identity, and stability are the most important qualities in their society. What do you believe are the three most important values for a society? Explain your answer.
Explain the “conscription of consumption” (p. 49). How are citizens conditioned to become consumers? Why would appreciating culture or nature be at odds with consumption?
According to Mond, what is dangerous about science? What limits are imposed on scientific inquiry?

Activity: Free-write With a Partner

Let students free-write about one of the following topics from the Brave New World teaching guide. Then have them find a partner and present their opinions to each other for one minute. After one minute, have them rotate to a new partner. Continue to share, discuss, and debate for ten minutes.

Sample Writing Prompts:

Does Brave New World offer a believable and/or realistic view of the future? Why or why not?
In the World State, the needs of the community are valued over the needs of the individual. What do you believe is more important, the good of the individual or the good of the community? Apply this question to a current political debate, such as the question of NSA surveillance.
Why do you think dystopian fiction is appealing as genre?

Get the Free Teaching Guide for More Discussion Questions & Writing Prompts for Brave New World

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Activity: Gallery Walk Discussion

Write several discussion questions from The Bridge of San Luis Rey teaching guide on poster paper and tape them to the walls. Have your students move from question to question, responding, reading others’ responses, and responding to others.

What do you think Pepita means when she says that she is not going to send the letter because it “wasn’t brave” (p. 37)? What does Pepita’s remark help the Marquesa realize?
Explain the meaning of the saying “unless the bridge falls.” How does this relate to the idea of being “under the sword of Damocles” (p. 97)?
What was it about the master at the University of San Martín that impacted Brother Juniper’s worldview? What spiritual truth did Brother Juniper want to scientifically prove? Cite specific evidence from the text to support your answer.

Activity: Write One-Pagers

Have students discuss one of these topics from The Bridge of San Luis Rey teaching guide in a small group and take notes. Then have everyone create one-pagers , including images, quotations, and arguments showcasing their big conclusions on their topic. When they’re finished, do a gallery walk of the one-pagers.

Analyze the way that the theme of love is developed in the novel. Examine the different types of love (agápe, éros, philía, and storgē) that are explored in each section of the book. Which character is associated with each type of love? How are their lives impacted as a result?
Consider the archbishop’s favorite notions that are discussed on p. 81. Explain how each of these notions can be seen in current political discourse.
Wilder’s novel features several strong female characters (Camila, Abbess Madre María del Pilar, the Marquesa de Montemayor). Analyze the novel from a feminist perspective. What do each of these characters reveal about the role of women?

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Last Days of Summer (Updated Edition)

Book Cover: Last Days of Summer - High School Literature

Activity: Bell Ringer Conversations

When you need a quick bell ringer, project one of these questions from the Last Days of Summer teaching guide . Ask students to discuss it with a partner and jot down their ideas in preparation for a wider discussion when class begins.

What similarities and what differences might there be in a novel about a young girl’s reaching out to a professional sports figure? What concerns might be shared by Joey and a girl his own age in the early 1940s—and today—and what concerns might be unique to each gender?
On Joey’s report card for the fall semester, 1941, Janet Hicks writes: “Joseph has a mind of his own—but he will need to learn that he cannot expect to amount to much unless he does what he is told” (p. 203). Which is the more attractive: following one’s own mind and inclinations or doing what one is told? When might doing what one is told be the wrong thing to do? How might the two be balanced for optimal advancement in life? What kind of balance does Joey achieve?
How might we all enrich our lives by persistently reaching out to those whom we admire?

Activity: Find Online Sources for Writing Research Reports

Last Days of Summer lends itself well to some mini-lessons about research and choosing good sources online. Have students apply those mini-lessons to short research forays into these critical questions.

Joey chastises Charlie for being interested in America First. Research America First and prepare a report on why some Americans were attracted to it and why others found it repugnant. Why might Joey call Charlie “traitor” (p. 103) for being interested in America First? Why might Joey take such an adamant stand against America First?
For all his dislike of President Roosevelt, Charlie admits that “Eleanor is okay, I guess” (p. 51). And he mentions Eleanor Roosevelt’s forays into the coal mines and into inner-city slums. Prepare a report on Eleanor Roosevelt’s activities and public statements involving civil and human rights. (You might want to include her work in establishing the United Nations and the writing of the Declaration of Human Rights.)
Research and report on President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 6099 and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. How historically accurate are Craig Nakamura’s descriptions of his and his family’s experiences preceding and during internment at Manzanar? Stephen T. Early writes to Joey that “only history can judge whether we have made a fitting choice or a regrettable mistake” (p. 274). Explain your reasons for judging which of these Executive Order 6099 was.

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The Dispossessed

Activity: Fishbowl Discussion

Divide your favorite discussion questions from The Dispossessed teaching guide and use them for a fishbowl discussion. Arrange your seating into an inner and outer circle, then let the inner circle discuss the first list of questions as the outer circle watches and takes notes. Give the outer circle a few minutes at the end of the first discussion to add ideas or contradict arguments. Then switch and let the other half of the class move to the middle to discuss the second list of questions. Again, give the listeners a chance to weigh in at the end.

How is Shevek as a narrator? Do you find him reliable?
A main symbol of Odonianism is the circle. How are circles used in Odonianism? How do circles apply in other ways to The Dispossessed?
Labor relations: What are the philosophies of Anarres and Urras on work and workers?

Activity: Write and Film a Short Video

Consider letting students learn about filmmaking by having them shoot and produce one-minute video responses to discussion questions from The Dispossessed teaching guide . Then stage The Argument Awards video screening, watching all the films and letting students vote on awards like Strongest Textual Evidence, Best Film Production, Most Intriguing Argument, etc.

What parts of the genre of science fiction does The Dispossessed challenge the most?
How does The Dispossessed imagine different utopias? What does the novel critique about utopia?
Would you describe The Dispossessed as a feminist novel? Why or why not?

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Hidden figures.

Activity: Rotating Circle Discussion

Let students stand up and form into two circles, one inner and one outer. The inner circle faces out. The outer circle faces in. Everyone should have a partner. Then announce a discussion question from the Hidden Figures teaching guide and ask them to talk about it for one minute. Then rotate one of the circles. Discuss the same question for a few rotations, then move on to a new question.

Are the women who become “girl computers” held to a higher standard? Or do they hold themselves to one? Why or why not?
How do you think Langley employees reconcile the difference between the work they do that is innovative and advances humankind with the work they do that destroys it?
How does the black press link the desegregation of southern schools and the launch of Sputnik ? What do you think is the reason behind doing so?

Activity: 15-Minute Writing With Partners

Throughout your unit, pull your favorite writing prompts from the Hidden Figures teaching guide and give students fifteen minutes to write. Then have them star their best paragraph and share it with a partner for feedback. Let them know at the end of the unit they’ll be choosing their best-written piece to turn in for a grade.

Hidden Figures uncovers the story of the women whose work at NACA and NASA helped shape and define US space exploration. Taken as a whole, why is their story significant to our cultural, social, and scientific history?
Would you consider NACA and NASA socially progressive institutions for their time? Why or why not?
In advocating for herself to work on the Mercury capsule launch, Katherine says to her bosses, “Tell me where you want the man to land, and I’ll tell you where to send him up.” How are the women in Hidden Figures able to express confidence in their work and abilities? In what ways is that confidence validated by their coworkers? Why is this emotional experience such an important part of their story?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

Activity: Quick Discussions to Check Reading

Pulling one or two questions from the To Kill a Mockingbird teaching guide can make for an easy and quick reading check quiz. Because they require such in-depth thinking, getting a quick summary online or asking a friend about the reading won’t help.

Why do you think Atticus’s first two clients gave him a “profound distaste for the practice of criminal law” (p. 5)? What does this suggest about Atticus’s values?
What does Scout’s observation that she “inched sluggishly along the treadmill of the Maycomb County school system” suggest about her experience in public school? And what do you think she means when she says she had the impression she was being “cheated out of something” (p. 37)?
Summarize Scout’s criticisms of her father. What do her criticisms reveal about the values of her community? How do most people in Maycomb County define “manliness”?

Activity: Inspiration for Writing Project Development

You can also use the writing prompts from the To Kill a Mockingbird teaching guide as inspiration for developing projects. Perhaps students might create graphic essays or spoken-word pieces in response to prompts like these.

Atticus Finch is one of the great role models in literature. Throughout the novel, he sets an example for his children through his words and actions. Look carefully at his character and find specific examples of moments when Atticus acts as a role model for Scout and Jem. Analyze each of these examples by looking at what Atticus says or does and the lesson you think his words and actions teach his children; then, find evidence in the text that shows that Jem or Scout have been positively influenced by their father’s example. Make sure to include correctly cited quotes from the text as evidence for your analysis.
Examine the role that gender plays in the novel. How does the fact that she is a girl impact Scout? What experiences is she excluded from? What experiences is she included in? How are society’s expectations different for her than they are for her brother? Do Dill and Jem face similar pressures to conform to gender expectations? Cite specific examples and evidence from the text to develop your thesis.
Write an analytical essay that examines the role of prejudice in the book. Is prejudice limited to racial prejudice, or are there other types of prejudice as well? What do you think the novel suggests about the way to overcome prejudice? Use specific examples and quotes from the text to develop your thesis.

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The Alchemist

Activity: Silent Small-Group Discussion

Try a silent small-group discussion using your favorite discussion questions from The Alchemist teaching guide . Give each member of a small group a piece of paper with a question written at the top. Then have everyone respond for three minutes. Call for everyone to pass their papers to the right, read the question and first response, and add a second response. Continue until everyone has participated in the silent discussion for all the questions given to the group. Then let the groups talk aloud about the questions.

The alchemist says that “people become fascinated by pictures and words, and wind up forgetting the language of the world.” What is this language of the world, or “universal language” as it is called elsewhere in the novel? How is it different than ordinary language? Is it spoken or expressed in some other way? Why would a fascination with words and pictures make people forget it?
The alchemist says that for the boy to find his treasure he must listen to his heart. Why does the alchemist feel that the heart is more important, or more trustworthy, than the mind? How and why is the heart able to understand things the mind can’t grasp?
If you could ask Paulo Coelho one question, what would it be?

Activity: Create a Curated Writing Project

Guide students in creating a curation project in response to their chosen research prompt from The Alchemist teaching guide . Rather than write a paper, have them curate key articles, videos, illustrations, podcasts, etc. from the web relating to the topic onto a Google Doc or simple website and bind them all together with their own analysis.

Research the history of alchemy and explore the ways Coelho uses the concepts and practices of this mystical science in The Alchemist . You might want to consider the relationship between alchemy and the Pyramids; alchemy in Christian and Islamic cultures; or alchemy as a means of both material and spiritual transformation.
In The Alchemist , King Mechizedek explains the principle of “favorability,” or beginner’s luck, a concept that is also important in Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes “beginner’s mind.” Do some research on this topic and discuss how it works in the novel. In what situations does it help Santiago? Why would a beginner be luckier than someone with more experience? Have you ever benefited from beginner’s luck or witnessed someone else who did something surprisingly well the first time?
Many spiritual quests involve a journey into the desert. Research the subject of desert spirituality and discuss the relationship between the outer landscape and inner world in The Alchemist . In what ways is the desert the perfect landscape for a spiritual journey? What does Santiago learn about himself from the desert?

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The Essential Ginsberg

Activity: Google Slide Series Discussion

If your classroom is 1:1, try putting up a Google Slides series with a question from The Essential Ginsberg teaching guide at the top of each slide. Give students group access, then fifteen minutes to add responses, images, quotes, etc. to the slides in response. Then put the slides up one at a time and discuss what you see as a class.

Is “To Aunt Rose” a successful elegy in your opinion? Why or why not?
In what ways is “Kaddish” a poem of thanksgiving and praise, like the traditional mourner’s kaddish?
Is the poem an effective antiwar poem? Why or why not? Support your response with solid evidence from the poem.

Activity: Writing Skills Practice

If you’d like students to focus on one particular skill—like writing a strong thesis or providing an embedded quotation—give them several writing prompts from The Essential Ginsberg teaching guide and have them practice the skill over and over, instead of writing full essays on one prompt.

Write a short argument for or against Shelley’s statement, “Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”
Think about the final sentence of the essay: “Everything belongs to me because I am poor.” Discuss what that unusual sentence might mean in terms of the Beats.
Imagine that “Kaddish” has just been published. How would you describe the “plot” of the poem? Would you praise it or not? What poem-based evidence would you give to support your perspective on the poem?

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10 Fresh Writing Prompts for High School English

They won't be able to put their pens down. Continue Reading

by Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca essay questions.

Why does the narrator remain nameless throughout the novel?

The narrator's anonymity represents her struggle to determine her own identity over the course of the book. Timid, insecure, and unsure of herself, the narrator is uncomfortable with both of her names: first, the "lovely and unusual" name given to her by her parents (which does not match her dull view of herself) and second, the title of "Mrs. de Winter" given to her by Maxim. The narrator is particularly overwhelmed by the symbolism of "Mrs. de Winter" because she feels that she cannot live up to the shadow that Rebecca left on the title: the expectation to be a perfect hostess and perfect wife. Only after the narrator learns the truth about Rebecca does she feel confident enough to assume to full meaning of her married name and exercise authority at Manderley. Even at the end of the novel, however, the narrator is still unnamed; at this point, she no longer needs a name in order to establish her identity.

How does the narrator's relationship with Maxim change after the revelation of Rebecca's death?

For the first part of their marriage, Maxim and the narrator have the unequal relationship of a parent and child. Maxim remains aloof from his wife, treating her with patronizing consideration and striving to maintain her innocence. The narrator feels Maxim's condescension and desperately wishes to be taken seriously and be able to support Maxim as an equal partner in the relationship. After the truth about Rebecca's death is revealed, the narrator loses her child-like innocence but also loses her insecurity and fears about Maxim's love for Rebecca. She is able to "grow up" for the first time and become a part of a mature relationship with her husband. Although Maxim regrets the loss of her innocence, he acknowledges that it allows her to surpass her status as a child in the relationship.

What justification does Maxim give for killing Rebecca?

Maxim's primary reason for killing Rebecca is her manipulative lie that she is pregnant with Jack Favell's child. Maxim is so horrified by the prospect of Rebecca's bastard child becoming the heir to Manderley that he shoots her through the heart. When he explains Rebecca's death to the narrator, Maxim also gives a more general background to justify the murder and explain his emotions leading up to the act; he describes Rebecca's immorality and the unspeakable things that she had told him about her life on the cliff in Monte Carlo. At the end of the novel, Maxim's act of killing Rebecca is further justified by the revelation that she was already dying of cancer and had simply manipulated him into ending her life quickly.

In what ways does Rebecca exemplify the Gothic literary tradition?

Gothic fiction, a combination of horror and romance, originated in 1764 with Horace Wadpole's The Castle of Otranto . Since its origins, the Gothic literary tradition has become associated with certain stereotypical elements, such as tormented heroes, secrets, the supernatural, death, innocent damsels, haunted estates, and more. Although Rebecca was written long after the heyday of Gothic literature, Du Maurier was inspired by the classic Gothic novel, Jane Eyre . As a result, the novel includes all of the primary elements of the genre, including Manderley as the haunted mansion, Maxim as the tormented hero, and the narrator as the innocent damsel, plus the ominous Mrs. Danvers, the secrets surrounding Rebecca's death, and a general sense of foreboding.

Is Maxim a likable character? Why or why not?

For the majority of the novel, Maxim de Winter is not a particularly likable character. Throughout his early interactions with the narrator, he is rude, moody, condescending, and generally detached from those around him. The narrator is entranced with his sophistication and brooding temperament, but it is difficult for the reader to fall in love with him as quickly as the narrator does. His behavior to the narrator when she finds the beach cottage, as well as after her entrance at the costume ball, is especially appalling. It is only after the truth of Rebecca's death is revealed that Maxim becomes a more sympathetic character. His previous moodiness and detachment from the narrator are explained, and he is suddenly capable of treating the narrator as an equal partner in the relationship, rather than a child.

What role does Mrs. Danvers play in the novel?

From the very start, it is clear that Mrs. Danvers is the antagonist of the narrative; her rude resentment of the narrator establishes their relationship as the conflict that must be resolved. However, Mrs. Danvers is also crucial as the physical representation of Rebecca's presence at Manderley. Mrs. Danvers maintains all of Rebecca's traditions and habits in the house -- even down to the use of the house telephone for approving menus -- and strives to keep Manderley the same as it was during Rebecca's life. In this role, Mrs. Danvers also articulates the narrator's fears about Rebecca, assuring her that she is and always will be inferior to Rebecca. It is only after the narrator discovers that Maxim never loved Rebecca that she is able to escape Mrs. Danvers (and Rebecca's) influence at Manderley.

What is Ben's significance in the novel?

Ben is the only character in the novel to refer to Rebecca in a negative way from the very beginning. Until Maxim reveals the truth about Rebecca near the end of the book, the narrator operates under the delusion that Rebecca was beloved by everyone. As such, she overlooks Ben's cryptic assertions about Rebecca, assuming that they are merely the confused ramblings of a mentally disabled man. In this way, Ben assumes the position of the wise fool, a literary archetype that dates back to Ancient Rome but was popularized in Shakespearean plays such as King Lear . As with the Fool in King Lear who uses his "mental eye" to see the true natures of the King's daughters, Ben is able to see the evil in Rebecca long before the narrator does.

How does the narrator compare to Rebecca?

For the majority of the novel, the narrator gives the impression of being very innocent, timid, unsophisticated, and insecure. Rebecca, on the other hand, is described by all as being overwhelmingly beautiful, elegant, graceful, vivacious, and clever. The narrator herself prefers Rebecca's glamour and sophistication to her own shyness and finds it difficult to believe that Maxim could ever love such an inferior character. Even to the readers, Rebecca seems to be a more appropriate heroine than the insecure girl with lanky hair is. However, as Frank Crawley points out, the narrator also possesses characteristics that Rebecca could never attain: modesty, sincerity, and kindness. After the narrator comes into her own at the end of the book, Rebecca no longer seems to be superior. The narrator is now a self-assured confident woman, far more worthy of being a heroine than the flashy and sexualized Rebecca.

What role does Manderley play in the novel?

Although Manderley does not have an overt role in the novel, Maxim's love for the estate is the underlying catalyst of all of the major conflicts in the novel. After Maxim marries Rebecca and learns the truth of her nature, he agrees to remain married to her because she promises to transform Manderley into a magnificent estate. Even after her affairs have become more overt, Maxim continues to uphold their farce of a marriage because Rebecca has fulfilled her end of the bargain and Manderley has become the most famous house in the area. Even Maxim's decision to murder Rebecca is determined by his love for Manderley: he only pulls the trigger after Rebecca tells him that her bastard child with Jack Favell will inherit the estate. If Maxim had been less preoccupied with Manderley, he could have annulled the marriage immediately and avoided the following years of anguish. Instead, he chose his house over logic and morality and ultimately paid the price of seeing his beloved Manderley burn to the ground.

What is the significance of fire in the novel?

Fire appears twice in the novel: first, when the narrator destroys the inscribed flyleaf from Maxim's book of poetry, and second, when Manderley itself is destroyed in flames. In both cases, fire represents purification, a complete destruction of the past. With the inscription in the book of poetry, the narrator was already preoccupied with the thought of Rebecca and felt tormented by her presence. She first cut out the flyleaf and then ripped it into small pieces but only felt at peace after burning the pieces. Rebecca's presence at Manderley was far more pronounced than in the book of poetry, and the fire at the estate similarly destroyed her influence over the narrator and Maxim. Although both characters greatly mourn the loss of Manderley, the fire is the only way for them to leave the past behind them.

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Rebecca Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Rebecca is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what are the strengths and weaknesses of the book????

The novel is a classic, and there aren't many weaknesses to cite. If I had to list a few I might go with the fact it has an inordinate amount of imagery...... then again, imagery is so lacking in contemporary literature that I hate to even...

Why do you think maxim asked his wife to dress up as Alice in Wonderland?Do you see any similarity between Alice and the new Mrs de winter?

Maxim tells his wife to dress up as Alice in Wonderland because she is acting petulant, pouting.... like a little girl. This idea is referenced twice, and both times Maxim mentions it as a joke.

How was it different from the tea ritual in the hotel room

What do you mean by "it"?

Study Guide for Rebecca

Rebecca study guide contains a biography of Daphne Du Maurier, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

About Rebecca
Rebecca Summary
Character List

Essays for Rebecca

Rebecca essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

Jane Eyre and the Unnamed Narrator of Rebecca as Innocent Victims
Mrs Danvers: A Foil for the Narrator of "Rebecca"
Narrative Structure and the Narrative Manipulation in ‘Rebecca’
Social Class or Something More: Relationships and Motivations in Rebecca and Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Memory and Recollection in Rebecca: A Close Reading

Lesson Plan for Rebecca

About the Author
Study Objectives
Common Core Standards
Introduction to Rebecca
Relationship to Other Books
Bringing in Technology
Notes to the Teacher
Related Links
Rebecca Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Rebecca

Introduction
Development

88 Perfect Essay Topics on The Great Gatsby

Welcome to The Great Gatsby Essay Topics page prepared by our editorial team! Here you’ll find a large collection of essay ideas on the novel! Literary analysis, themes, characters, & more. Get inspired to write your own paper!

🔬 Literary Analysis
🎭 Characters
📊 Compare & Contrast
🗺️ Navigation

🎓 References

🔬 literary analysis of the great gatsby: essay topics.

What are the literary devices used to create the image of Jay Gatsby?
Analyze how Fitzgerald uses imagery in The Great Gatsby.
The Great Gatsby: analysis and feminist critique
What do colors symbolize in The Great Gatsby?
How does Fitzgerald use geographical setting to show the contrast between social classes in the novel?
How does Fitzgerald convey a notion of the American Dream through metaphors and symbols?
What does the green light in Daisy’s window represent in The Great Gatsby?
What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize in The Great Gatsby?
What role does Nick Carraway’s narration play in the story? If we got it through an omniscient third-person narrator, what would we gain or lose?
Could the story have been set in other places, like Chicago or Los Angeles, or were New York City and Long Island absolutely necessary?
Look at the novel’s opening lines. If we accept Nick’s advice when we read the story, will our views of it change? Or, in other words, does refraining from criticism promote compassion?
Is there a hidden meaning of the title of The Great Gatsby? What is it?
How is the color white used within the novel? When does it make a false representation of innocence? When does it truly represent innocence?
Color symbolism in The Great Gatsby
What is the role of a New York setting in the novel’s storyline?
What is the real meaning of ‘great’ in the title of The Great Gatsby?
What significance do colors have in the party’s descriptions in chapter 3?
Why is Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby a satire?
Elaborate on the green light as the symbol of the American dream.
What is the meaning of the phrase “Can’t repeat the past?.. Why of course you can!” What does Gatsby really want from Daisy?
What role do the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg play in The Great Gatsby?
How is The Great Gatsby a satirical representation of the society?
Are the rich in the novel really so careless as everyone believes them to be?
Create an alternative ending for The Great Gatsby. Justify your choice.
What is the relationship between those born rich and those who became rich in the novel?
Fairy tale traits in The Great Gatsby

🎭 Essay Topics on The Great Gatsby’s Characters

Discuss female characters and their significance in The Great Gatsby.
Compare Gatsby and Wilson. In what ways are they similar?
Gatsby & Nick in The Great Gatsby
Who is the most responsible for Gatsby’s death? Why is it so?
Why do Tom and Daisy stay together at the end of the novel?
Does Gatsby’s money bring him real happiness?
Can Jay’s feelings for Daisy in The Great Gatsby be considered love?
How do secondary characters affect the story?
Daisy Buchanan: quotes analysis
Who is the real hero in The Great Gatsby?
Can we call Jay Gatsby a romantic hero or a villain?
What does Jay Gatsby really live for in the novel: the present or the past?
Compare Myrtle and Daisy.
Jay Gatsby & Tom Buchanan: compare & contrast
What does Tom’s quarrel with Myrtle in chapter 2 tell us about his personality?
Elaborate on how both Tom and Gatsby want to change not only the future, but the past in chapter 7.
What was Gatsby’s power of dreaming like? Was Daisy a worth object?
Is anyone to blame for Gatsby’s death?
Nick as the narrator in The Great Gatsby
Are there any moral characters in the novel?
Can Jordan and Daisy be considered perfect role models for the upper class in America? Why or why not?
Is Gatsby really great? In what way? How does his greatness evolve as the plot unfolds?
How does Nick’s character change over the course of The Great Gatsby?
Does Gatsby deserve the definition of a self-made man? Why or why not?
What role does Daisy play in the conflict between Gatsby & Tom?

🌻 Essay Topics on The Great Gatsby’s Themes

What are the central themes in The Great Gatsby?
What roles do fidelity and infidelity play in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby?
What importance does sex have in the story?
What role does alcohol play in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald?
Did Fitzgerald really criticize the idea of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby?
Does love play have any importance in The Great Gatsby?
What role does the relationship between geography and social values play in the novel?
Francis Scott Fitzgerald & his American Dream
What is the meaning of time in The Great Gatsby?
How do the aristocratic East Eggers, Tom and the Sloanes, regard Gatsby in chapter 6? How is their contempt connected to the theme of social class in the novel?
Analyze The Great Gatsby through the prism of feminist theory.
How are the themes of kindness and compassion presented in The Great Gatsby?
Describe how the theme of ambition is presented in the novel.
Elaborate on how Fitzgerald contrasts education and experience in The Great Gatsby.

⌛ Essay Topics on the Context of The Great Gatsby

Describe how F.S. Fitzgerald’s life experiences influenced The Great Gatsby.
What are the examples of modernism in The Great Gatsby?
How does Fitzgerald represent the society of his time in the novel? Would you like to live in the Jazz era? Why or why not?
How is America shown in The Great Gatsby? What values do the East and the West represent?
How does Fitzgerald provide a critical social history of Prohibition-era America in his novel?
How is the economic boom of postwar America shown in The Great Gatsby?
Why did The Great Gatsby was neither a critical nor commercial success just after its publication? Why did its popularity grow exponentially several decades after?
How are racial anxieties of the time shown in the novel?

📊 The Great Gatsby: Compare & Contrast Essay Topics

Make a critical comparison of the novel with the 2013 movie.
Make a comparison of the novel with the 1949 movie.
Compare The Great Gatsby movies of 1949 and 2013.
Compare and contrast two classic American novels: The Great Gatsbyand The Grapes of Wrath.
Female characters in The Streetcar Named Desire & The Great Gatsby .
How are Donald Trump and The Great Gatsby’s Tom Buchanan alike?
Compare Miller’s Death of a Salesman and The Great Gatsby.
What other fictional or non-fictional character from a book or movie can Nick Carraway be compared to?
Jay Gatsby & Eponine from Les Miserables .
Make a critical comparison of The Sun Also Rises and The Great Gatsby.
Compare The Great Gatsby with A Farewell to Arms.
Make a comparison of Daisy from The Great Gatsby with Henrietta Bingham from Irresistible.
Love in The Great Gatsby & The Catcher in The Rye .
What pop stars of nowadays Daisy can be compared to?
Macbeth vs. Jay Gatsby: make a character comparison.
CS Topic Generator – Purdue Computer Science
Past Essay Topics – University of Warwick
Literature Topics and Research // Purdue Writing Lab
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Study Guide Menu

Short Summary
Summary (Chapter 1)
Summary (Chapter 2)
Summary (Chapter 3)
Summary (Chapter 4)
Summary (Chapter 5)
Summary (Chapter 6)
Summary (Chapter 7)
Summary (Chapter 8)
Summary (Chapter 9)
Symbolism & Style
Quotes Explained
Essay Topics
Essay Samples
Questions & Answers
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Biography
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

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IvyPanda . "88 Perfect Essay Topics on The Great Gatsby." August 13, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/lit/the-great-gatsby-study-guide/perfect-essay-topics/.

Teaching Literary Analysis: 17 Essential Questions To Guide Your Students.

Use these 17 essential questions to guide your students through literary analysis regardless of what they’re reading. The best part? You can recycle and reuse these questions, again and again, all year long.

The key to teaching literary analysis lies in having the right tools to move beyond a solid foundation of comprehension. In other words, it’s time to help your students grab their literary excavator and dig a little deeper.

Teaching Literary Analysis to Secondary Students

Yes, it’s important to ask students for details aboutwhat they read. However, in the secondary classroom, it’s time to prepare them to analyze what they read. Yet, whether they’re afraid of being “wrong” or simply don’t know where to begin, literary analysis tends to intimidate students.

It doesn’t matter if we’re assigning students one of our favorite novels or a must-read from the literary canon; there’s nothing worse than when students’ analysis falls flat. (Bor-ing.) Instead, we want them to be able to understand how to read between the lines. To break down the text into smaller pieces and examine how each works on its own and as part of the bigger picture– I mean, story.

We don’t just want them to think about what they’re reading but think deeply about it. We want them to take part in lively conversations and well-supported critical responses. We want them to question, analyze, and understand the author’s choices and their implications.

In other words, we don’t just want them to read the text. We want them to engage with the text.

But how exactly do we help them get there?

The First Step: Asking The Essential Questions

Literary analysis is like any other skill– it takes practice. Even the brightest of students need to learn the how-tos behind analyzing a text before mastering the art. And if you’re looking to avoid reading countless literary analysis flops– we all know how painful those can be– you know you want to teach it well . So, before asking students to showcase their knowledge in assessment form (aka the feared and fretted literary analysis essay), we must teach them how to read and analyze a text. Luckily, with the right approach, teaching literary analysis does not have to be so dreadful. (And neither do those papers.)

It all begins by asking the right questions to guide students through their literary analysis. These questions will help students dig deeper into a piece of literature as they think, discuss, and even write about the text at hand. In fact, you might just be surprised how much deeper your students can analyze a piece of literature with these 17 essential questions.

17 Essential Questions To Guide Your Students Through Literary Analysis

Whether you’re asking your students to analyze a novel, play, short story, or poem, these 17 essential questions can be a big help.

These questions serve as a springboard for students to dig deeper into the author’s choices regarding elements such as theme, character, plot, conflict, and setting. They’ll help them move beyond comprehending and summarizing a piece of literature and toward analyzing and evaluating it.

Essential Questions About Theme

There are many ways authors reveal and develop a text’s theme. Students can better identify, understand, and analyze the theme(s) with the right questions as a guide.

What is the main subject of this text? (Psst… I always remind students that this should apply to the world beyond the text itself.)
What is the author’s commentary/main message regarding said subject?
Are there any instances of symbolism , repetition, juxtaposition, or irony that develop or enhance this message?

Essential Questions About Character

Once the students identify the characters, understanding them is an essential element of literary analysis. Use the following questions to help students move beyond the basics of identifying characters and, instead, seeing them as essential elements to a story.

What does the character say and think?
How does the character act?
How does the character interact with other characters in the story?
What are the characters’ motivations and values and how are they revealed throughout the story?
How do the characters in the story develop or enhance the theme?

Essential Questions About Plot and Conflict

There’s much more to plot than simply identifying what is happening in the story. It can also serve as a way to develop the story. Therefore, students can use the following questions to analyze plot effectively.

Is the plot revealed in chronological order, or does it begin in medias res, meaning in the middle? Why did the author choose to tell the story this way?
What is the story’s main conflict?
How is the conflict revealed, developed, and resolved?
How does the conflict of the story develop or enhance the theme?

Essential Questions About Setting

Once students identify the time and place of a piece of literature– the setting– they can begin to analyze the broader role the setting serves in the text. Let’s just say it wasn’t a coincidence that Fitzgerald chose New York City and its suburbs for The Great Gatsby or that Miller set The Crucible in Salem 1692. The following questions can help students dive deeper into the story’s setting.

Does the setting change? If so, what impact does that have on the characters?
How does the setting affect the story’s plot?
How does the setting affect the story’s conflict?
How does the setting of the story develop or enhance the theme?

A Question To Get Students To See The Bigger Picture

Before saying “that’s a wrap” on literary analysis, we can’t forget to encourage students to understand that text in a broader context. In fact, this “bigger picture” thinking is what allows literary classics to remain relevant today!

Therefore, push students to see the bigger picture and analyze the author’s intentions by asking them the following question.

How might this text serve as a mirror or window (or both) to the reader and/or modern society? (Similarly, you can also ask them to consider the significance of the piece during the time it was written.)

A Final Word On Teaching Literary Analysis

First step? Learning how to analyze a text. Next up? Writing an accompanying essay. Luckily, answers to any of the questions above (with supportive textual evidence, of course) will provide students with the foundation they need to tackle the analytical essay.

The best part about these questions? They can be used over and over again so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Simply apply them to various texts throughout the year, and voila! You have a go-to resource for teaching literary analysis.

You can tweak the questions here and there to fit each text better or simply leave them as is! Either way, your students will walk away from the school year with a solid understanding of literary analysis. (Goal accomplished.)

How to Write a Novel Study: A Complete Guide for Students & Teachers

What Is a Novel Study?

A novel study is essentially the process of reading and studying a novel closely. There are three formats the novel study can follow, namely:

The whole-class format
The small group format
The individual format

Each of these formats comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Which you will use in your classroom will depend on several variables, including the novel study’s purpose, class demographics, time constraints, etc.

This article will look at activities you can use with your students in a novel study. Though the focus will primarily be on the whole-class format, the activities outlined below can easily be adapted for small-group and individual novel studies.

But first, let’s take a look at some of the many considerable benefits of the novel study.

What Are the Benefits of a Novel Study?

The benefits of this type of learning are many and varied. Essentially, the novel itself serves as a jumping-off point for a diverse range of learning experiences that can benefit students’ learning in many ways.

Here are just three of these benefits.

1. Encourages a Love of Reading

As teachers, we are well aware of how much literature can enrich our lives. However, for many of our students, reading is a chore in and of itself and is to be avoided whenever possible.

The novel study sets aside time in class to focus on reading in an engaging manner that not only encourages students to enjoy reading but helps them develop the tools and strategies required to get the most out of the books they read.

2. Builds a Wider Knowledge Base

Sharing books in this manner creates opportunities for students to become exposed to experiences far beyond those of their daily lives. Not only will they enter new and unfamiliar worlds through the portal of fiction, but they’ll also be exposed to the experiences and opinions of other students in the class. These experiences and opinions may differ markedly from their own.

It will also widen the student’s knowledge and understanding of text structure, vocabulary, punctuation, and grammar . Novel studies are an extremely effective way to practice comprehension skills and improve critical thinking.

3. Boosts Class Cohesion

Whole class novel studies help your students to flex their muscles of cooperation as they work their way through a text together. They also help students to understand each other, take on board the opinions of others, and learn to defend their own thoughts and opinions.

While reading is often viewed as a solitary activity, reading in this manner can become a social experience that helps students to bond as a class.

What Should I Do in a Novel Study?

There are many different ways to undertake a novel study in your classroom.

For example, some teachers like to read the entire novel to their students first before going back through it as a class, focusing then on student interactions with the text.

Other teachers like to weave guided reading activities into their novel study sessions. However, this often works better with smaller groups where students can be grouped according to ability and assigned texts accordingly.

What shape a novel study takes in your classroom will depend on your student demographics and learning objectives. However, we can helpfully divide the various activities into pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading. You can select those that suit your situation best.

Now, let’s look at some of these.

How to Start a Novel Study

Your novel study begins even before the first page is read. The activities below will help students tune in to the book they are about to read.

This is a crucial stage of the novel study, especially if the book is of historical significance or deals with historical events and where some background knowledge may be essential for understanding the novel.

Prereading Activities

Examine the Covers

Before opening the book, have students examine the covers closely, both front and back. What can they tell about the book before opening it based on:

The cover illustration?
The author’s name?
The blurb on the back?

It’s useful to do this as a whole-class discussion to allow for sharing ideas. Ask questions to encourage reflection and get students to make predictions about the novel based on their answers and observations. For example:

What information does the cover provide?
Does the cover illustration intrigue you? Why?
Does this novel remind you of any other books you’ve read? Why?
Do you recognize the author’s name? What else have they written?

It can be pretty surprising just how much information you can glean from a novel’s covers.

Generate a List of Questions

Once students have had a good chance to examine the novel’s covers in small groups, get them to generate questions they have about the book and its contents.

These questions may be based on their expectations in the first activity, but they may also be general questions related to common elements in all novels. For example:

Where is the story set?
When is it set?
Who is the main character/protagonist in the novel?
Who is the antagonist?
What is the nature of the central conflict?
What happens in the climax? Resolution? Etc.

While most of these questions will not be answered entirely until the students have read the novel, asking these questions will get the students thinking about the novel’s structure from the outset. This will be extremely useful for later activities.

Take a Peek Inside

Now, it’s time to open the book to look closer. Task students to go ‘finger-walking’ through the book and, without reading the novel, explore the book’s pages for more surface information. For example:

When was the book published? Why is this significant?
Are there any illustrations inside? What impression do they make?
Does the book have chapters? What do the chapter titles tell us about the story?
Open a random page and read it. What language register does the writer use? What point of view is employed?

Encouraging students to work in small groups can be helpful here. You can also ask prompting questions to help students maintain focus during this activity.

During Reading Activities

The whole-class format is perhaps the most widely used in the classroom context. In this format, each student will usually have a copy of the text and follow along while the teacher or another student reads.

The reading will pause at intervals to allow the students to engage in discussion, ask questions, or complete various activities supporting learning goals related to the text they have been reading.

In general, novel study activities will focus on:

Building vocabulary
Improving comprehension
Making text-to-text connections
Making text-to-self connections
Making text-to-world connections

In the following section, we’ll look at each of these in turn.

Reading is a fantastic way to build vocabulary; when your students encounter new vocabulary while reading, encourage them to employ several strategies to decipher the word before resorting to their dictionaries.

Firstly, what clues to the word’s meaning can the students find in the word itself? Do students recognize the word’s root or affixes? Does it resemble any other words they already know the meaning of?

Secondly, students should look at the context in which the word is used, not just in the sentence itself but also in the preceding and following paragraphs. What clues can the students find to the word’s meaning?

After analyzing the parts of the word and exhausting context clues, students can look up the word in dictionaries. However, they will still need to do some legwork to make the new word stick. Some valuable ways of committing a new word to memory include:

Sketching a visual interpretation of the word
Making a list of synonyms of the word using a thesaurus to assist
Apply the target words in personal contexts (in conversation/writing sentences)
Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary is only one aspect of comprehension. Novel studies afford students a valuable opportunity to develop their deep comprehension abilities.

Beyond just understanding the meaning of the words in a novel, students will work on their understanding of skills such as:

Identifying the central idea/themes
Examining character/plot development
Distinguishing between fact and opinion
Summarizing
Inferencing
Comparing and contrasting

While activities for teaching some of the more basic comprehension skills may be more self-evident, activities for teaching higher-level skills, such as inferencing, may require a bit more thought and planning.

We can define inference as the process of deriving a conclusion based on the available evidence in the text combined with the student’s background knowledge and experience.

Put simply, inference involves reading between the lines.

Inference = What is in the text + What I already know

To encourage students to use inference while completing a novel study, ask questions building on prompts such as:

Why do you think…
What do you think would happen if…
What can you conclude about x based on what you’ve read?
How does the writer feel about…
How do you think x feels?

If you want to learn more about teaching inference in the classroom, check out our thorough article on the topic here .

Making Connections

While vocabulary building and developing reading comprehension skills are a big part of what novel studies are all about, this type of reading lends itself to a deeper exploration of the power of the written word.

Too often, our students read prescribed texts without ever making any personal or profound connections to the material they read. Students can better understand what they are reading by exploring ways of connecting to a novel. There are three main types of connections we can explore:

Text-to-self connections
Text-to-text connections
Text-to-world connections

Let’s look at how students can make each type of connection in a novel study.

Text-to-Self

This is all about the student making a personal connection and responding to the text as an individual. Essentially, this type of connection is about encouraging the students to share their thoughts and feelings on various aspects of the novel. This sharing can take the form of oral contributions to class discussions and debates or in the form of a written response.

Either way, question prompts are a great way to kick things off. Here are some examples to get the ball rolling.

What does this incident remind you of in your own life?
Which character do you identify with the most?
Have you ever been in a similar situation? What happened?
What would you do in this situation?

Text-to-Text

These connections are all about the student linking the novel they are studying to other texts they have read or seen. This could include other novels, comics, nonfiction books, websites, and poems.

Here are some useful prompts to encourage your students to make text-to-text connections.

Have you ever read anything like this before?
How is this text similar to/different from other texts you’ve looked at?
What other fictional character does the hero of this novel remind you of?

Text-to-World

Making a text-to-world connection requires students to think about the novel in terms of the wider world. Here, students forge links with the broader culture and current affairs. Text-to-world connections will frequently require students to tie the novel into other areas of learning, such as social studies and the sciences.

Here are a few helpful text-to-world prompts.

How do the events described in the novel relate to real-world events?
What issues explored in the novel are pertinent in today’s world?
How does the world described in the novel relate to the world we live in now?

Post-Reading Activities

novel study | HOW TO SUMMARIZE AN ARTICLE | How to Write a Novel Study: A Complete Guide for Students & Teachers | literacyideas.com

The number of possible activities you can do to complete a novel is almost endless. Which activities you choose will depend on what aspect of the novel and/or objectives you are trying to teach. Here are just a few popular tasks students regularly complete after they finish reading a novel.

Create a timeline of events.
Graph the plot .
Write a character profile.
Design an alternative book cover/blurb.
Write a summary of the novel.
Write an alternative ending.
Have a formal debate based on themes or issues explored in the novel.
Write a book review.

Well, that’s enough to start a novel study in your classroom. However, if you’d like to read more on reading comprehension strategies you can employ in your novel studies, check out our depth article on the topic here .

The flexibility of the novel study format lends itself well to almost any age group; just be sure to choose a text that matches the general reading ability of your class. For older kids, you may even want to involve them in deciding what text to study.

However you decide to choose your novel, just be sure to read the text thoroughly in advance to stay one step ahead of your students – and don’t forget to have fun with it!

The Daring English Teacher on Teachers Pay Teachers Secondary ELA resources Middle School ELA High School English

15 of the Best Questions for Teaching Literary Analysis

Teaching Literary Analysis: 15 Questions to Ask Your Students

Teaching literary analysis in the secondary English classroom is an essential cornerstone of high school English and middle school English curriculum. When students learn the process of literary analysis, they will embrace the new challenge each literary text brings. How do you teach literary analysis essay?

When I first teach literature to my students, I use direct instruction strategies. I provide my students with literary analysis terms and examples. Then we begin short stories and excerpts together. Usually, we will analyze a couple of short stories together as a class before moving on to more substantial pieces, like novels. One blog post that might be helpful is this one about how to write a literary analysis response .

When I’m teaching a piece of fiction, I like to have set questions I can use throughout the year to ask my students. As students answer the same question about various texts throughout the year, they improve their analytical skills and begin to form a better understanding of how literature analysis works.

If you are teaching response to analysis and literary analysis, here are ten questions you should ask your students about the piece they are reading. These questions are some of the questions included in my Response to Literature Task Cards that work with any piece of fiction. Here are several questions to guide your students as they analyze literature.

Here are 15 questions you can use when teaching literary analysis to your students.

Literary analysis questions about theme.

How do the characters in the story develop or enhance the theme?
How does the conflict of the story develop or enhance the theme?
How do the symbols within the story develop or enhance the theme?
How does the author’s tone of the story develop or enhance the theme?
How is the story’s theme reflect the context in which it was written?

Literary Analysis Questions About Setting

How does the setting affect the plot?
How does the setting affect the conflict?
How does the setting affect the tone of the story?

Literary Analysis Questions About Characters

What is one of the protagonist’s flaws or weaknesses?
What is one of the antagonist’s flaws or weaknesses?
What motivates the protagonist to act?
What motivates the antagonist to act?
What character is most believable and why?

Literary Analysis Questions About Conflict

How does the conflict reflect the context of the time in which the story was written?
How does the author create a believable conflict?

Here are some literary analysis teaching resources you may like:

Literary analysis with sticky notes.

Teaching literary analysis can be fun, engaging, and accessible for all students! Increase student engagement and understanding in your next literary analysis unit (whether it be short stories or novels) with interactive and hands-on close reading organizers and scaffolded writing responses. Students will enjoy using sticky notes in class as they analyze the author’s use of various literary devices in complex short stories and novels.

What fellow teachers say about this resource:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Extremely satisfied

“ My students found this very helpful to organize their writing and the movement involved with using sticky notes was a hit. The kids loved getting to use sticky notes and to flip them up and down. It made the planning for their writing so much faster. Would highly recommend for all students but especially for any kids who have a hard time focusing.”

“ This is a great way to have kids write literary analysis in a different way instead of just asking for essays. It’s like a little trick to get them to do academic work while thinking they are just doodling on sticky notes. I even use this with AP Lit and just modify my expectations somewhat. I appreciate all the different handouts/options.”

More resources:

My Literary Analysis Mini Flip Book combines the fun and excitement of sticky notes with the format of a mini flipbook. It is the perfect culminating activity for students to analyze a final short story in your short story teaching unit.

These Response to Literature Task Cards are an ideal way to get students talking about complex literary themes and ideas within any piece of fiction. There are two sets of tasks cards in this set, and you can use them again and again with any short story or novel.

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The Best Book Club Questions to Spark Discussion

Get the conversation started.

Besides the below book club questions, remember, the easiest way to be a participant at the book club is to be an active reader. If you're not squeamish about writing in the margins, try taking notes and underlining passages as you go along. For those of you with a library book, author Elise Williams Rikard shared a trick with OprahMag.com. "I put sticky notes on pages that really move me or get me thinking so we can revisit and discuss during book club," Rickard says.

Ideally, everyone would come to the book club bursting with feelings, impressions, and ideas that the book had sparked. Samantha Cerff, an editor for Fandango Latin America and member of the book club Sinopsis in Lima, Peru, recommends organizing all those thoughts prior to the meeting. "Always get your questions ready beforehand and keep in mind some quotes you'd like to discuss," Cerff tells OprahMag.com.

Then, all it takes is one or two prompts to get everyone sharing their takes. Luckily, there's no shortage of thought-provoking book club questions. Bring these with you to your next meeting, and you will be hailed a book club hero .

General Book Club Questions

What was your favorite part of the book?
What was your least favorite?
Did you race to the end, or was it more of a slow burn?
Which scene has stuck with you the most?
What did you think of the writing? Are there any standout sentences?
Did you reread any passages? If so, which ones?
Would you want to read another book by this author?
Did reading the book impact your mood? If yes, how so?
What surprised you most about the book?
How did your opinion of the book change as you read it?
If you could ask the author anything, what would it be?
How does the book's title work in relation to the book's contents? If you could give the book a new title, what would it be?
Is this book overrated or underrated?
Did this book remind you of any other books?
How did it impact you? Do you think you'll remember it in a few months or years?
Would you ever consider re-reading it? Why or why not?
Who do you most want to read this book?
Are there lingering questions from the book you're still thinking about?
Did the book strike you as original?

Nonfiction Questions

Did this book make you want to explore the subject matter more?
What were your impressions on the author's style? Did you find the book easy to read, or a slog?
Of all the information presented in the book, what has stayed you the most?
What did you Google while reading the book?
Did you agree with the author's conclusions? Where did you deviate?

Fiction Questions

Which characters did you like best? Which did you like least?
Which character did you relate to, or empathize with, the most?
If you had to trade places with one character, who would it be?
Guess the characters' zodiac signs.
What do you think happens to the characters after the book's official ending?
What are your thoughts on the book's structure? Did it serve the story well?
How did the setting impact the story? Would you want to read more books set in that world?
Did the book feel real to you?
Did the plot proceed in a way that felt natural? Or did you feel manipulated by the storyline?
Are there any characters you'd like to deliver a lecture to? If so, who? What would you say?

Self-Help Questions

Has this book affected the way you go about your life? If so, in what way?
Did you agree with the author's advice?
Did you doubt the author's advice at some points? How come?
What are some passages that you underlined, or that particularly affected you?
Do you think the author succeeded in what they set out to do?
What is the most important point the author makes in this book?

Mystery and Thriller Questions

Which twist surprised you the most?
Was the narrator's voice compelling?
Did you guess the ending? If so, at what point?
Are there plot points the book didn't address?
Did you agree with the characters' decisions?
Did the book spook you, or get under your skin, in any way?

Romance Questions

Did you like the "heat" level of the book?
Was the couple's connection believable? If so, at what point did they click for you?
What do you think happens to the leads after the ending?
What did you think of the romance's pacing?
Would you fall for either of the leads?
Did this book melt your heart? Make you believe in love again?
If it's part of a series, did this book book compel you to read the next one?

Memoir Questions

Did you find the author's story compelling?
What do you think motivated the author to share his or her story?
What did you think of the author's voice and style? Did the quality of the writing match the story?
How did the book compare to other memoirs you've read?
How did the memoir make you reflect on your own life?
What did you learn from hearing this person's story?
Are there any areas you wished the author had elaborated upon further?
Are there any people in the book whose perspective you wanted?
Do you think the author was honest?

Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily.

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24 Book Review Questions to Ask Before Writing a Review

By: Author Laura

Posted on Published: 23rd February 2021 - Last updated: 29th February 2024

Categories Book Blogging , Books

Trying to write a book review but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, these book review questions for a book report will help you on your way!

Writing a book review or book report can feel overwhelming for one of two reasons. Either you have too much to say or nothing to say at all.

In either case, having some structure to your review and a roadmap of questions to answer can be helpful in focussing your thoughts so you can write a useful book review.

These book review questions are designed to get your brain thinking about some of the key issues and interesting points about your book in question.

You certainly don’t have to answer all of them and you don’t need to follow the order I have listed the book report questions below.

RELATED: How to Write a Good Review of a Bad Book

Book Review Questions: General Information

Before you delve into sharing your own opinions, you should share some general information about the book.

This can be to do with its plot, its genre, the setting and whether there is anything readers should be aware of before delving in.

These are good questions to ask about a book as a basic starting point and where you should always begin.

What is the book about?

What genre does this book fit into?

In what time and place is the book set?

Who is the intended audience of the book?

Is the book appropriate for that audience?

Should this book come with any content warnings?

Book Review Questions: Stylistic Points

An author could craft the most fascinating story in the world but if they can’t convey that story with an interesting or logical style then a book may well just fall flat.

Consider whether the author of the book you are reviewing has a particularly interesting style and what is it about their style that shaped the book and your opinion of it.

What style is the book written in?

What point of view is the book written from?

Does the author use any interesting techniques?

Book Review Questions: The Characters

Really compelling characters, whether you love them or hate them, can make a book really stand out. If they don’t feel real then a book can crumble pretty quickly.

Make sure to include some information about the main character (or characters) but there’s no need to mention every single person, there simply isn’t space!

Who are the key characters in the book?

Did the characters feel real?

Are the characters likeable?

Which character did you find most compelling?

Could you relate to the key characters?

Book Review Questions: Your Opinions

Of course, any good book review should contain what you, the reviewer, actually thought about it! These book review questions to ask yourself are some of the most important.

Did you discover a new favourite book or is this one you wish you had never picked up in the first place?

Try to share a balanced view so reader’s of your review can come to their own conclusions about whether this book is worth reading for them. Some points that you might not have liked might be another reader’s favourite trope!

What did you like about the book?

What did you dislike about the book?

What could have been improved?

How did the book make you feel?

How does the book compare to other similar books?

Book Review Questions: Conclusion

Make sure to wrap up your book review with some final reflections about who should read this book, what you learnt from it and what other books it is similar to.

If a reader sees that a book is similar to one they have already read and loved then that’s a great indication that they’ll love this one too.

Would you recommend this book?

What did you learn from reading this?

What sort of reader would like this book?

What other books did this one remind you of?

What star rating would you give this book?

That concludes my list of book questions to ask yourself kick your brain in gear and get you thinking about all the most interesting points of the book you’ve just read.

Do you have any more relevant book review questions to add to the list?

Let me know in the comments below!

Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads for regular book updates!

If you liked this post, check out these: How to Write a Negative Book Review How to Start a Book Blog 36 Easy Book Blog Post Ideas

Editor of What’s Hot?

Saturday 10th of December 2022

Book report question: What made this book unique from other books you have read?

Thursday 25th of February 2021

This is so so useful.

Tuesday 23rd of February 2021

Very key points here. That first part, where I talk about the synopsis, the intended audience, the genre, that is my biggest struggle.

Can You Recognize This Novel From a One-Line Description?

By J. D. Biersdorfer May 6, 2024

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A blue and white illustration of an open book with the bottom corner depicted as a jigsaw-puzzle piece snapping into place.

Welcome to Lit Trivia, the Book Review’s multiple-choice quiz designed to test your knowledge of books and literary culture. This week’s challenge asks you to identify five famous 20th-century novels based on a very simple one-sentence plot description.

Just tap or click on the title you think is correct to see the answer and a snippet of the original coverage in The Times. After the last question, you’ll find links to the titles in case you’re looking for a something to read.

A man runs around Dublin all day in June 1904.

“Birchwood,” by John Banville

“Borstal Boy,” by Brendan Behan

“Ulysses,” by James Joyce

“Strumpet City,” by James Plunkett

A young girl grows up in an impoverished urban area and, inspired by nature’s tenacity, strives to get an education as a key to success in life.

“Angels on Toast,” by Dawn Powell

“Brown Girl, Brownstones,” by Paule Marshall

“My Sister Eileen,” by Ruth McKenney

“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” by Betty Smith

A man recalls his childhood and young adulthood in high society for thousands of pages and has a memorable encounter with a snack food.

“The Remains of the Day,” by Kazuo Ishiguro

“In Search of Lost Time,” by Marcel Proust

“A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,” by James Joyce

“The Grapes of Wrath,” by John Steinbeck

An American in Paris, dealing with social alienation and other issues, has a relationship with an Italian bartender.

“Paris France,” by Gertrude Stein

“Giovanni’s Room,” by James Baldwin

“Gigi and the Cat,” by Colette

“The Ambassadors,” by Henry James

A clairvoyant woman keeps a journal for decades and records the dramatic lives of several generations of her family through love and political upheaval.

“In the Time of the Butterflies,” by Julia Alvarez

“The Kitchen God’s Wife,” by Amy Tan

“Paradise,” by Toni Morrison

“The House of the Spirits,” by Isabel Allende

Explore More in Books

Want to know about the best books to read and the latest news start here..

An assault led to Chanel Miller’s best seller, “Know My Name,” but she had wanted to write children’s books since the second grade. She’s done that now with “Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All.”

When Reese Witherspoon is making selections for her book club , she wants books by women, with women at the center of the action who save themselves.

The Nobel Prize-winning author Alice Munro, who died on May 14 , specialized in exacting short stories that were novelistic in scope , spanning decades with intimacy and precision.

“The Light Eaters,” a new book by Zoë Schlanger, looks at how plants sense the world and the agency they have in their own lives.

Each week, top authors and critics join the Book Review’s podcast to talk about the latest news in the literary world. Listen here .

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