Reading Fiction Reviews

Before you write your own review, you should see how other students reviewed fiction. As you read these samples, pay close attention to the types of details included. Consider how you might share similar details in your own review.

Reading a Paragraph Review

A paragraph response to a book has three main parts: The topic sentence introduces the title, author, and main idea. The body sentences introduce the main character, the obstacles faced, and the lessons learned. The ending sentence gives your final opinion of the book.

Sample Paragraph

1. Name the title, author, and main character of the book.
2. What main obstacle faces the main character?

Warm-Up for Writing Fiction Reviews

(c) Thoughtful Learning 2018

One fun way to think about a book is to write a review. In a book review, you tell others what a book is about and help your readers decide if they want to read it next! The activities in this unit will guide you in reviewing a fiction book by focusing on characters, conflict, and theme.

What Is a Fiction Review?

Fiction books are gateways to new worlds. When you open a book and begin reading, you are transported to a new place with interesting characters, conflicts, and adventures. When you finish a good book, you probably know the story well enough to tell others about it.

In a fiction review, you let others know about a book by explaining its important parts and characters without saying too much. After all, you don’t want to spoil the ending!

Thinking About Character Traits

The main character may be the most important part of a fiction book. This person or animal is sometimes called the protagonist. To truly understand what happens in a book, you need to think carefully about the main character.

Creating a Character Profile Page

To get to know a character better, create a profile page that shares important information about the character. Study how one student created a sample profile page to learn about the main character in the book Shiloh.

Name:

Marty

Age:

11

Hometown/place:

West Virginia

Likes:

All animals (especially Shiloh), the outdoors, the woods, exploring, his brothers and sisters

Dislikes:

Hurting animals, lying, and dishonest people

Greatest wants/desires:

To make Shiloh his dog, to protect him and keep away from Judd, and to change laws to protect dogs

Greatest fears/obstacles:

Not being able to protect Shiloh, lying to his parents, and knowing that Judd owns and hurts Shiloh; also laws that let people own animals even if they mistreat them

Assessing with an Explanatory Rubric

A test grader will use a rubric to score your on-demand writing. A rubric lists the features the grader is looking for at different levels of performance. If you understand the kinds of rubrics that graders use, you will better understand how to write responses that score well.

Writing a Story for Assessment

Some tests ask you to write a story of your own, using another story as inspiration. The following activity will help you practice.

Read the writing prompt.

Answer the PAST questions.

Purpose?

Audience?

Subject?

Type?

Writing an Essay for Assessment

Some tests ask you to write an essay response to short stories and poems you have closely read. The following activity will help you practice.

Read the writing prompt.

Answer the PAST questions.

Purpose?

Audience?

Subject?

Type?

Responding to a Poem for Assessment

When you closely read a poem on an assessment, pay attention to the sounds of poetry, such as rhythm, alliteration, and repetition. Also note the meaning of poetry, focusing on features like imagery, metaphor, and symbolism.

Source 2

Warm-Up for Literature Assessment

Some major assessments test your ability to read and respond to literature.

How Can I Practice for Assessment?

© Thoughtful Learning 2016

The best way to practice for a reading and writing assessment is to take a practice test, like the one in this unit. You will closely read a story and a poem and write about them. You'll also write a story of your own.

You’ll find a playful story about a girl who tries to get away from her shadow. You’ll also read a poem about a man speaking to his reflection. Read them closely. You’ll be drawing evidence from them to build a response. You’ll also get to experiment with telling a story of your own.

If you would like more help with closely reading literature and responding in writing, see the unit “Reading and Writing Literature for Assessment.”

Responding to a Story for Assessment

When you closely read a story, pay attention to character, setting, conflict, and theme.

Source 1

Writing On-Demand Essays

A writing assessment gives you a short time to write a paragraph or an essay. To do so, you should use a shortened form of the writing process.

Prewriting (5 Minutes)

Start by reading the writing prompt and analyzing it using the PAST questions.

Sample Writing Prompt

Answer the PAST questions.

Purpose? Explain Jamal’s choice

Audience? Tester

Subject? “Finding Your Instrument”

Type? Essay

Write a focus statement.

Jamal realizes he’s better off choosing his own way.

List supporting details.

--Denny is pressuring everyone to play saxophone.

--Denny makes fun of Jamal.

--Jamal tries trombone.

Analyzing Writing Prompts

Often tests contain writing prompts that you must respond to. Your first step is to understand the writing prompt. Use the PAST questions.

• Purpose? Why am I writing? (To analyze? To entertain?)
• Audience? Who will read my writing? (Tester? Classmates?)
• Subject? What subject should I write about? (Story? Poem?)
• Type? What type of writing should I create? (Essay? Story?)

Sample Writing Prompt

Answers to PAST Questions

• Purpose?

  Explain Coup’s problem with finding an owner and show what the story says about life

• Audience?

  Any other reader

• Subject?

  “The Most Sensible Car” by Carolyn Asher

• Type?

  Essay

If you use the writer’s exact words, put the words in quotation marks. If the quotation is followed by a comma or period, put it inside the end quotation mark.