The Book Analysis Format

I. The first section/paragraph tells

A. The name of the book.

B. The name of the author.

C. When the book was written or published.

D. A one-sentence summary of what the book is really about.

This is not an overall plot summary but the a summary of the essence of the plot.

E. Any other pertinent details about the book:

1. is the book part of a series?

2. does the book have an interesting relationship to the author's life or career?

3. any other interesting details

a. about the book?

i. historical fiction

ii. science fiction

iii. fantasy

iv. some other genre

b. about the author?

II. The second section/paragraph tells

A. The goal the author had in writing the book.

Note that the author's goal in not the theme of the book: why the author wrote the
book is not the same as what the book means.

B. What devices the author uses to achieve his or her goal.

III. The final section/paragraph sums up your analysis

A. Critic the book using any of the three literary criticism discussed.
B. List several strengths of the book.

C. List several weaknesses of the book.