Writing a Critical essay - Across the Barricades

Para.1         Write a brief summary of the text (no more than 40 to 50 words)

Para.2         Analyse the author's opening paragraph.

• What is the author trying to do?
• How does the author grab the readers attention?
• How does the author make the reader want to continue reading?

Para.3         Discuss how the author brings the characters to life.

• Setting of novel in a real place and time
• About teenagers - can relate to them
• A lot of dialogue
• Description of characters
• Actions of characters

Para.4         Discuss the themes in the novel and how they link with each other.

• Love and Romance
• Family and Religion
• Civil War
• Moral comment & biblical themes

Para.5         How does the author's style affect the story?

• Why 3rd rather than 1st person narrative?
• What effect does that have on the way we perceive the characters?

Para.6         Discuss the author's tone in the novel.

• Does it stay the same all the way through or does it change?
• Is the author making a comment on society?
  OR
• Is there a moral to the story? - biblical imagery

Para.7         Finally!!! Discuss how successful you think the author was at engaging you the reader in the novel.

• Were you interested? Why?
• Did it make you consider your views on
  - relationships?
  - family & religion?
  - civil war?
• Did it make you alter your views? Why?

Remember to use quotations to back up your argument

This worksheet created by Stephanie Young was found free at www.englishresources.co.uk
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