How to Study a Novel

Method There isn't a single formula or a secret recipe for the successful study of literature. But to do it seriously you should be a deep and attentive reader. This means reading, then re-reading. It means making an active engagement with the book. And it means making notes. Approach ou can read the novel !uickly first, "ust to get an idea of the story-line. Then you will need to read it again more slowly, making notes. If you don't have time, then one careful slower reading should combine understanding and note-taking Make notes #ake two types of notes - some written in the book itself, and others on separate pages. Those in the book are for highlighting small details as you go along. Those on separate pages are for summaries of evidence, collections of your own observations, and page references for study topics or !uotations. Notes in the book $se a soft pencil - not a pen. Ink is too distracting on the page. %on't underline whole paragraphs. If something strikes you as interesting, write a brief note saying why or how it is so. If you read on the bus or in the bath, use the inside covers and any blank pages for making notes. Studying Fiction is an introduction to the basic concepts and terms you need for studying prose fiction. It e&plains the elements of literary analysis one at a time, then shows you how to apply them. 'ontains stories by Arthur 'onan %oyle, (atherine #ansfield, Thomas )ardy, *oseph 'onrad, %.). +awrence, and 'harles %ickens. All of them are e&cellent tales in their own right. ,rder from Ama-on.com ,rder from Ama-on.co.uk

Separate notes ou will definitely remember the characters, events, and features of a novel more easily if you make notes whilst reading. $se separate pages for different topics. ou might make a record of characters chronology of events ma"or themes stylistic features narrative strategies Characters #ake a note of the name, age, appearance, and their relationship to other characters in the novel. .riters usually give most background information about characters when they are first introduced into the story. #ake a note of the page/s0 on which this occurs. 1ote any special features of main characters, what other characters /or the author0 thinks of them. Chronology of events A summary of each chapter will help you reconstruct the whole story long after you have read it. The summary prompts the traces of reading e&perience which lie dormant in your memory.

A chronology of events might also help you to unravel a comple& story. It might help separate plots from sub-plots, and even help you to see any underlying structure in the story - what might be called the 'architecture of events'. Major themes These are the important underlying issues with which the novel is concerned. They are usually summarised as abstract concepts such as - marriage, education, "ustice, freedom, and redemption. These might only emerge slowly as the novel progresses on first reading - though they might seem much more obvious on subse!uent readings. 2eeing the main underlying themes will help you to appreciate the relative importance of events. It will also help you to spot cross-references and appreciate some of the subtle effects orchestrated by the author. Stylistic features These are the decorative and literary hallmarks of the writer's style - which usually make an important contribution to the way the story is told. The style might be created by any number of features3 choice of vocabulary imagery and metaphors shifts in tone and register use of irony and humour

Quotations If you are writing an essay about the novel, you will need !uotations from it to support your arguments. ou must make a careful note of the pages on which they occur. %o this immediately whilst reading - otherwise tracking them down later will waste lots of time. 4ecord page number and a brief description of the sub"ect. .rite out the !uotation itself if it is short enough. %on't bother writing out long !uotations. Studying the Novel e&plains the difference between 'story' and 'plot', between a symbol and an image - and between 'tone' and 'mood'. %efines 'realism', 'modernism', and 'postmodernism'. 4evised, e&panded, and updated fourth edition of a study that is readable and entertaining without being simplistic. 2tructured approach, chapter summaries and information on study skills. ,rder from Ama-on.com ,rder from Ama-on.co.uk

Bibliography If you are reading literary criticism or background materials related to the novel - make a full bibliographic record of every source. In the case of books, you should record - Author, Book Title, 5ublisher, 5lace of publication, %ate, 5age number. If you borrow the book from a library, make a full note of its number in the library's classification system. This will save you time if you need to take it out again at a later date. In the case of Internet and other digital sources /'%s, websites, videos0 you need to look at our guidance note on referencing digital sources

http366www.mante&.co.uk6samples6elec.htm Maps and diagrams 2ome people have good 'visual' memories. A diagram or map may help you to remember or conceptualise the 'geography' of events. Chapter summaries #any novels are structured in chapters. After reading each chapter, make a one sentence summary of what it's about. This can help you remember the events at a later date. The summary might be what 'happens' in an obvious sense /#r 7 travels to +ondon0 but it might be something internal or psychological /2usan realises she is 'alone'0. %eciding what is most important will help you to digest and remember the content of the novel. Making links 8vents or characters may have significant links between them, even though these are revealed many pages apart. Al ays make a note as soon as you see them - because they will be very hard to find later. !se a dictionary 2ome novelists like to use unusual, obscure, or even foreign words. Take the trouble to look these up in a good dictionary. It will help you to understand the story and the author, and it will help to e&tend the range of your own vocabulary. If you need help choosing a good dictionary for studying, have a look at our guidance notes on the sub"ect3