GRADE 12: PREPARED SPEECH 2 – BOOK CRITIQUE

SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS BEFORE YOU PRESENT YOUR SPEECH:

 A photocopy of the front cover of your novel.
 The full handwritten or typed copy of your speech.

PARAGRAPH 1: GENERAL INFORMATION (5 LINES) PARAGRAPH 2: SETTING (5 LINES) PARAGRAPH 3: PLOT (5 LINES)
 Identify the genre: fantasy/adventure/romance/drama?  Identify the time and place the story occurs.  Write in the PRESENT TENSE.
 What ages is the book geared to?  Is it set in the real world or in a fantastical world?  Give a brief outline of the story but NEVER give
 Does the book belong to a series?  How much does the author draw you into the away the ending!
 Is the book an easy or challenging read? setting? (give 1-2 examples if relevant)  OPTION 1: Set up the premise (e.g. A brother and
 Is there anything that would be helpful for the reader to a sister find themselves lost in the woods at the
know about the author? mercy of an evil witch. Will they be able to outsmart
PARAGRAPH 5: WRITER’S STYLE (5 LINES)
her and escape?)
 Comment on what you liked or disliked about
PARAGRAPH 4: CHARACTERS (5 LINES)  OPTION 2: Set up the major conflict in the novel
the writer’s style of writing.
 Who are the main characters? Include the protagonist  Is it formal or informal?
and leave it unresolved (e.g. Sometimes waiting is
and antagonist. the hardest part OR He didn’t know what he stood to
 Is it funny?
 What problems/conflicts do the main characters face? lose)
 Is it engaging/conversational?  Try to avoid using the tired phrase: ‘This story is
 Are they believable/genuine/understandable through
 Is it hard to follow? about …’ Instead, just jump right in.
their dialogue and emotions?
 What is the narrative viewpoint (first-
 Could you relate to any of the characters? Say why/why
person/omniscient)?
not. PARAGRAPH 6: THEME(S) (5 LINES)
 Does the writer use any unusual techniques
 Who was your favourite character and why?  Try to identify what makes the book memorable:
(flashbacks; diary style; unusual dialogue)?
what is the moral/message behind the story?
 Some common themes:
PARAGRAPH 7: OPINION AND ANALYSIS (10 LINES)  good/evil  hope  heroism
 Why did you enjoy it (did it make you laugh/cry/think about it for days?) OR Why didn’t you like it?  friendship  change
 quest for
 What ages or types of readers would like the book? power
 facing a  human
 How does it compare with other books that are in the same genre or by the same author?  love
challenge weaknesses
 How well did the author achieve their purpose: did the book feel complete or did it feel as though key elements were
left out?
 What was your favourite part of the book?
 Would you have done anything differently had you been the author?