6.2 The Novel: What to Expect

Because novels are long and sometimes complicated, having effective reading strategies is important when tackling their twists, turns, and sharp corners.

Thoughtfully interacting with the novel ensures you think while you read. Being deliberate in your attack will help you remember details of the novel exploration and make applying the "What? So What? Now What?" chart to the novel study easier later in the unit.

As you read, become familiar with the characters , especially the protagonist, or main character. Formulate a clear idea of him or her by listing character traits as events are encountered. Note the character's reactions to conflicts. Determining why the character reacts as he or she does will deepen your understanding of motivation and characterization. Also, note details about setting, mood, figurative language, and atmosphere.

These clues will help you "decode" the theme of the novel. What does the novel communicate about human nature or the effect of humans on the world?

Notice that most elements in the novel are nearly identical to those you learned for the graphic novel. Both novel types use these elements to build complex stories. How they achieve this is the key difference. What is this difference?