Home Reading Log Questions
Name ___________________________
Remember to restate the question as you respond.
Characters
Ch1. Identify the protagonist in this book. What are two personality traits of this character?
Ch2. What choices does the protagonist make that display his/her character? Cite the text.
Ch3. Do you admire the protagonist? Explain why or why not.
Ch4. Identify the antagonist in this book. What are two personality traits of this character?
Ch5. What choices does the antagonist make that display his/her character? Cite the text.
Ch6. How are the protagonist and the antagonist similar?
Ch7. Choose one character from the book. How does this character change during the
course of the story.
Ch8. Compare and contrast two characters in the story.
Setting
S1. Describe the setting of the book. Include the time frame and geographic location.
S2. What details does the author use to make the setting real? Cite the text.
S3. Explain how the setting is important in the development of the story.
S4. Explain how the story would be different if the setting were changed.
(Have fun with this one.)
Connections
Con1. Compare the protagonist to another character from a book you have read
or a movie you have seen.
Con2. With which character do you identify yourself? Explain why.
Con3. How does the setting of the book remind you of a place where you have lived or
visited?
Con4. Are there events in the book that bring to mind things that have happened to you?
Elaborate.
Con5. If you have read other books by this author, how does this book compare to the
others? If this is the first book you have read by the author, would you want to read
another? Why or why not?
Plot
Pl1. Describe the events that occur in the exposition.
Pl2. Describe the events that occur when the conflict is introduced.
Pl3. Describe the events during the rising action.
Pl4. Describe the events during the climax.
Pl5. Describe the events during the falling action.
Pl6. Describe the events in the resolution. Is there irony in the resolution? Explain.
Conflict
Cf1. Identify and detail the main conflict in the book. Explain if it is man vs. man, man vs.
nature, etc.
Cf2. Is the conflict internal, external, or both? Please elaborate.
Cf3. Explain how the conflict hinders the protagonist from reaching his/her goal.
Cf4. How is the conflict resolved or overcome by the main character?
Interpretation
I1. Cite one of the choices the protagonist made along the way. If that choice had
been different, how might the story have turned out?
I2. Predict what the protagonist or antagonist will be doing in five years.
I3. Identify the major theme of this book. Elaborate, citing the text.
I4. Name another book or movie with a similar universal theme. Include details.
I5. Identify a recurring symbol in this book? What does it represent?
I6. What is the mood of the book? Elaborate.
I7. Give an example of direct characterization used by the author.
I8. Give an example of indirect characterization used by the author.
I9. How does the title relate to the story?
I10. Think of an alternate title for this book. Why would this title be appropriate?
I11. List two examples of figurative language. Why did the author include these?
Critical Stance
CS1. In your opinion, why did the author write this book?
CS2. What background knowledge was needed in order to write the book?
CS3. What techniques did the author use to get you interested in this book?
CS4. What makes this a good book? What improvements, if any, would you
suggest to the author?
Nonfiction
NF1. What is the author’s purpose in writing this book/article? Elaborate.
NF2. What type of research did the author have to do to write this book/article?
NF3. What is the main idea of the selection? How does the author suggest this
idea?
NF4. How does this book compare to others you have read on the same subject?
Explain.
NF5. What does the author not tell you that you expected to find in this selection?
NF6. How does the author use pictures or graphics to help deliver the information?
NF7. With whom would you like to share this book/article? Why?
NF8. What makes this a good book? Give specific reasons.