AF Fiction Non-Fiction

2 -Where does the story take place? -What is the text about? What is the title of the text?
-When did the story take place? Who is the author of the text?
-What did the character look like? -What kind of things would you expect to see in this
-Where did the character live? book?
-Who are the key characters in the book? -Can you find examples of different features of this
-What happened in the story? text type?
-What kinds of people in the story? -Find something that interests you from the text.
-Explain something that happened at a specific point in Explain why you chose that particular part.
the story? -Where would you look to find out what a technical
word means?
-What is on the cover of the book? What does this tell
you about the content inside?
3 -If you were going to interview this character/author, -Which parts of the book could help you find the
which questions would you ask? information you need?
-Which is your favourite part? Why? -When would you use the contents page in the book?
-Who would you like to meet most in the story? Why? -When would you use the index page in the book?
-What do you think would happen next if the story -What sort of person do you think would use this
carried on past the ending of the book? book?
-Who was the storyteller? How do you know? -When might someone use this book? Why?
-Predict what you think is going to happen next. Why -Can you suggest ideas for other sections or chapters
do you think this? to go into the book?
-Is this a place you could visit? Why/why not? -Do you think the author of the book is an ‘expert’
-How is the main character feeling at the about the topic of the book? Why/why not?
start/middle/end of the story? Why do they feel that
way? Does this surprise you?
4 -Were you surprised by the ending? Is it what you -Can you find an example of a page you think has an
expected? Why/why not? interesting layout? Why did you choose it?
-What is the main event of the story? Why do you think -Why have some of the words been written in italics?
this? -What are the subheadings for?
-How has the text been organised? -Why have some of the words been written in bold?
-Why do you think authors use short sentences? -How does the layout help the reader
-How did you think it would end/should end? -What is the purpose of the pictures?
-Has the author used an unusual layout in the text? Is -Can you find examples of words which tell you the
so, describe it and say why you think they did this? order of something?
-Has the author used a variety of sentence structures? -What kind of a text is this? How do you know?
-Has the author put certain words in bold or italic?
Why have they done this?
5 -Why did the author choose this title? -Why does this book contain technical vocabulary?
-Do you want to read the rest of the text? How does the -Find an example of a technical word. Read
writer encourage you to read the rest of the text? the sentence it’s in. What do you think it means based
-Can you find some examples of effective description? on how it’s used in the sentence?
What makes them effective? -Are there any examples of persuasive language?
-Which part of the story best describes the setting? -Why do we need a glossary in a text?
-Can you find examples of powerful adjectives? What
do they tell you about a character or setting?
-Can you find examples of powerful adverbs? What do
they tell you about a character, their actions or the
setting?
-Can you find examples of powerful verbs? What do
they tell you about a character, their actions or the
setting?
-Find an example of a word you don’t know the
meaning of. Using the text around it, what do you think
it means?
6 -Can you think of another story that has a similar theme -Why has the writer written this text?
eg good over evil, weak over strong, wise over foolish? -Have you found any of the illustrations, diagrams or
-Why did the author choose this setting? pictures useful? Why/why not? Try to explain fully
-What makes this a successful story? What evidence -Why did the writer choose to present the information
do you have to justify your opinion? in the way they did?
-How could the story be improved or changed for the -How could the information be presented better?
better? -What makes this text successful?
-What was the most exciting part of the story? Explain -Are there any features that it hasn’t got? Why do
your answer as fully as you can. you think it doesn’t have them?
-What genre is this story? How do you know? -Can you think of another text that is similar to this
-What was the least exciting part of the story? Explain one? What are the similarities and differences
your answer as fully as you can. between them?
-When the author writes in short sentences, what does
this tell you?

7 -Do you know another story, which deals with the same
issues eg social, cultural, moral issues?
-Have you ever been in a similar situation to a
character in the book? What happened?
-How would you have felt in the same situation?
-What would you have done differently to the character
in a particular situation from the book?
-How would you feel if you were treated in the same
way as the main character?
-What did the story make you think of?
-Have you read any other stories that have similar
characters to this one? If so, which story was it and
what happened?
-Do you think this book is trying to give the reader a
message? If so, what is it?