Questions to Consider after First Reading

First, be sure you can answer any and all questions of fact about the story: the who? what? where? and when? of the story's particulars. Consult with other readers to be sure of the facts. Then, consider questions in these areas:

 

Plot

1. Does the plot seem to follow a conventional plot line? Where does the crisis or climax occur, if there is one?

2. Is anything confusing, out of order, apparently irrelevant?

3. Were you surprised by anything that happened?

 

Character

1. Who is the likely main character (or who are the main characters)? How do you know?

2. What character(s) seem most interesting to you? Why?

3. Does the behavior in any of the characters seem plausible or implausible?

4. What is the transformational moment (if any) for the main character? From what and to what does the character change?  

Point of View

1. What is the point of view in this story? Why do you think the author told the events in this way?

2. Do you think the information told to you in this story is reliable?

3. What would happen if the story were told using a different point of view? What would you learn? What would you lose?

 

Setting

1. Where does the story take place? In what period of history? How does that matter for the action in the story?  

2. How much of a role does the setting seem to play in the outcome, if any?

3. What do you already know about the place and time where and when this story takes place?

 

Theme or Literary Motif

1. Does the title suggest anything about the purpose or direction of the story?  

2. What (in fairly simple terms) would you say might be a possible theme? 

3. Does any object or image or action stand out as significant in your reading?

4. Is there a repeating pattern of words or images of any kind (like the images of spring in Chopin's story?)