UCC ENGLISH - BOOK REVIEWS AT KS3
SUGGESTED COMMENTS
When you write your comments, these suggestions may be of help. The most important thing to remember is that you must explain your opinions and give at least one piece of proof from the book. For example, if there are a lot of good descriptions, quote 2 or 3 sentences from two or three different places in the book; if the book has a message (or moral), explain how it is shown in the book – there may be several ways.
Each comment you make should be about a different aspect – e.g. a comment about unbelievable coincidences might have 2 or 3 examples but is still only one comment.
Each comment must be different and supported by either a quotation or a reference to some specific detail of the story.
POINTS that might be considered:
Was the plot realistic? Why do you think it was/was not?
Were the characters realistic? Why do you think they were/were not?
Which character(s) did you like best? Why?
Which character did you like least? Why?
Did you learn any facts from the book? What and how were they brought out?
Which incident did you like best? Why?
Which piece of description did you like best? Why?
Were there any incidents you found particularly hard to believe? Did they spoil the story at all? Why/why not?
Did the book have a moral/message? What was it? How was it brought out?
What was the theme of the book? How was it developed?
Have you an important criticism of the book? Explain what you think the weakness was and how you might improve it.
Did you like the ending? Why/why not?
Which incident was the climax of the novel? Why have you chosen that incident?
Did any of the characters remind you of someone you know? Which one and why?
Were there any unbelievable coincidences in the plot? What were they and why were they unlikely? Did they spoil the story? Why/why not?
Would the book make a good film? Give reasons, referring to details of the novel.
THESE COMMENTS ARE SUGGESTIONS: YOU DO NOT NEED TO DEAL WITH THEM ALL! YOU MAY ALSO THINK UP SOME DIFFERENT ONES OF YOUR OWN.
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