EAE2D Learning Activity 4.

2
TVO ILC
Structural elements of the novel

Structural elements of the novel

Examining the structure of a novel as a pre-reading strategy can be helpful as you
embark on a reading journey. Think of it as a navigation technique. Imagine you are
going on a road trip to a remote location you have never been to before. There are
several things you would likely do before setting out: check that you have a full tank of
gas in case you can’t locate a gas station easily, enter the destination into your GPS
and check the weather conditions on your phone. You want to be prepared for the
journey ahead.
Approach your novel in the same way! Flip through the book, taking note of how the
author sets up the novel so you know what to expect but absolutely no peaking at the
last chapter—you don’t want to spoil the ending!

Chapters
Are the chapters simply numbered or do the chapters have titles? Why might the author
have added titles?
the chapters are simply numbered

Is there any indicator that the narrative voice has changed (i.e. Character name as
chapter title) or that time has passed (i.e. Title is a date)? If the author uses this
technique, why might he/she do so?
Narrator Katniss Everdeen narrates The Hunger Games as the events occur. The
story is told in the first person and recounts the narrator's personal history and her
experiences. The narrator is objective, but on occasion she will imagine what other
characters are be feeling.
Section Divisions
Is the novel divided into segments (i.e. Part One, Part Two)? Why did the author do this
in his/her novel?
the book is parted into 3 sections
part 1 is about before the games - the triibutes
part 2 is during the games - the games
part 3 is during and after the games -the victor

Within chapters, are there scene breaks or section breaks indicated by spacing or
asterisks? Look at the text on either side of the break. What does the break indicate?
Most of the scene breaks and katinss give her opinion or a conversation

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 EAE2D Learning Activity 4.2
TVO ILC
Structural elements of the novel

Prologue/Epilogue
Does the novel begin with a prologue (before chapter 1)? What purpose does the
prologue serve?
The book does not have a prologue

Does the novel end with an epilogue (after the final chapter ends)? What purpose does
the epilogue serve?
The book does not have a epilogue

Other Features
Are there any other structural features you notice? Do the chapters end on a cliff-
hanger? Do the chapters end when the author changes setting or moves to another
event? Explain.
I notice that some of the chapters have cliff hangers.

Expamle Chapter one

"The crowd draws in a collective breath and then you can hear a pin drop, and I’m
feeling nauseous and so desperately hoping that its not me, that its not me, that its
not me. Effie Trinket crosses back to the podium, smoothes the slip of paper, and
reads out the name in a clear voice. And its not me. . Its Primrose Everdeen."

In this pargroph it talks about how her sister is picked for the game but then it leaves
you thinking until the next chaper.

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