The five types of approaches are as follows:
Critical Analysis: As you are reading, you should be looking for possible critical analysis topics. Some
analysis areas include character development, conflict, imagery, plot development,
symbolism, setting, or theme. In this approach, you will discuss events that have occurred
that you believe could help you develop your novel analysis. Ex. Discuss how a character
has changed and what events have caused their evolution, or explore how the author uses
the setting to reflect the story’s mood.
Palm Reader: What has occurred that you consider foreshadowing? What makes you think this could be
foreshadowing? Based on this occurrence, what do you believe will occur in the future?
Why?
Straight Talker: Speak directly to a character. You can use a letter format if you choose. You can choose
to criticize them, offer sympathy, or analyze their ideas. You do not have to choose the
main character. Think about what you would say if you could stop the action at a
particular point.
Judge: Evaluate an action or a decision by a character or characters. Do you feel a wise or a poor
decision has been made? Why? What decision do you think should have been made? Why?
Notice that the keyword in this approach is “why,” so make sure your explanation of your
evaluation is in-depth.
The Arts: What images come to mind as you read the story? Draw those images (on white paper) or write
a poem about your personal reaction. Instead of writing ¾ of a page, write one paragraph
that briefly summarizes the events and explains what your visual image/poem means or
represents in the story. Take a picture of your drawing and upload the image to your blog.
