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Fiction Reviews English 101

Prewriting:

1. Jot down the abstract subject of the story you plan to review.

2. List some of the main incidents or areas of discussion that most clearly relate to the abstract subject.

3. In a sentence, state the theme of the story. To decide the theme, imagine the author saying, “I’m going to write this because I believe that….”

4. List (a.) the things you liked and (b.) the things you did not like.

ABSTRACT SUBJECT: (about 50 words)

1. Reread paragraph one of “To Embarrassed Not to Kill.” Without discussing anything specific about characters or action, Harris presents the abstract subject of The Things They Carried. He says it examines “the nature of courage and fear.”

2. In a paragraph, introduce the author and title of the story you are reviewing. Also introduce the book’s abstract subject.

OVERVIEW (about 50 words)

1. Reread paragraph two of the review. Harris presents the general subject matter of the book. He says it’s about the wartime experiences of a single platoon.

2. Introduce the content of the story without going into much detail. In other words, generalize about the subject matter used to illustrate the abstract subject.

DETAILS RELATED TO ABSTRACT SUBJECT: (about 75-100 words)

1. Reread paragraphs three, four, and five. Harris presents characters, objects, actions, and narration in the book that relate to the nature of courage and fear.

2. Select details from your story that are related to the abstract subject. You might include such things as: the effect of setting on characters, problems that characters face, how characters overcome or are defeated by their problems, significant objects, significant dialogue, and real life examples of the abstract subject.

CRITIQUE: (75-100 words)

1. Reread paragraphs six, seven, and eight. Harris discusses O’Brien’s art and craft in The Things They Carried in relation to the nature of courage and fear.

2. Critique your story. What is good or bad about the way the story is told or the ideas presented? Discuss such things as language, realism of the characters, clarity of ideas or action, the writer’s attitude toward the subject, and whether or not your attention was held throughout. Give reasons for your attitude toward the story. Draw at least one conclusion about the author’s overall treatment of the abstract subject.

THEME: (50 words)

1. Reread the last paragraph, which states the theme of the book. O’Brien is quoted: “…you can tell a true war story by its absolute and uncompromising allegiance to obscenity and evil.”

2. Write a final paragraph in which you state the theme of your story. You might relate the theme to its relevance to our lives.

REVISION:

Reread and revise your fiction review. Is your discussion of what happens in the story clearly related to the abstract subject presented in your first paragraph? Have you included a convincing number of examples to illustrate the abstract subject? Have you expressed the theme clearly? Also check your sentence structure and wording.