BOOKSCHOOSE THE WORD WHOSE UNDERLINED PART IS PRONOUNCED DIFFERENTLY...
4. The plot: What happens to the main character? Warning! Be careful here. Do not fall into the
boring trap of reporting every single thing that happens in the story. Pick only the most important
events. Here are some hints on how to do that. First, explain the situation of the main character as
the story opens. Next, identify the basic plot element of the story - Is the main character trying to
achieve something or overcome a particular problem? Thirdly, describe a few of the more
important things that happen to the main character as he/she works toward that goal or solution.
Finally, you might hint at the story's conclusion without completely giving away the ending.
The four points above deal with the report aspect of your work. For the final section of your outline,
give your reader a sense of the impression the book made upon you. Ask yourself what the author was
trying to achieve and whether or not he achieved it with you. What larger idea does the story illustrate?
How does it do that? How did you feel about the author's style of writing, the setting, or the mood of
the novel? You do not have to limit yourself to these areas. Pick something which caught your attention,
and let your reader know your personal response to whatever it was.