WAYS TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT A BOOK IN YOUR RWN

1. Write about it to a friend. Use a letter format and concentrate on one idea from the notes you took in class.
2. Make an annotated map (bird’s eye view) of where it takes place. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
3. Make a detailed plot diagram (Exposition, Incentive Moment, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution) of its main events. Do when you finish a book.
4. Create a crossword puzzle (at least 12 clues), using its setting, characters, plot . . .
5. Show why it would (or wouldn’t) make a great movie. Cast actors as characters and explain why they would be a good fit.
6. Explain its funniest (or most exciting) incident.
7. Make a poster (on your RWN page) about it. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
8. Pick at least seven adjectives that describe your novel. Effect on you as a reader! Use each of those adjectives to write a paragraph elaborating and explaining why you chose that adjective.

9. Describe an incident from it as though you were an on-the-scene newspaper reporter. Write your report in news article style. Read some in your local paper first.
10. Choose an idea or scene from it as the subject of a collage. Use old magazine pictures. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
11. Make up a series of limericks or haiku about the novel. Characters? Conflicts? Themes?
12. Make a detailed time-line of its events. At least ten entries and best attempted when you finish reading.
13. Create and write a new ending for it.
14. Make up a lost or found ad that a character might use. Maybe a wanted ad for the villain in the novel. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.

15. Write graffiti about the book on a “brick“wall. Radical statements from a character. Hearts? Symbols? Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
16. Use sketches to recreate one of its action sequences. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
17. The U.S. President has learned that you’ve read this book and wants to know one thing a main character discovered about life that you think all Americans should know. What would you tell him? Why?
18. Describe three characters in exactly 64 words for each.
19. Choose a character you’d like (or not like) to have as a friend. Tell why.
20. Make believe you were one of the minor characters. How would you describe a main character?
21. Plan an appropriate meal for a main character.
22. Do a cartoon strip based on a character. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
23. Write a page or two in a diary as if you were a character.
24. Write a poem or two about a character or two!
25. Imagine and/or design costumes, jewelry for some of the characters. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.

26. For stories that took place in another time, tell how one of the characters would act today, or would respond to a present day situation.
27. Write a letter to a character in the book.
28. Describe the home of the main character. How would your life change if you were forced to move in?
29. A character moves into your house. What would change in your life?
30. Compare and contrast two characters in the story. Use a Venn diagram on top and then select the one major difference to explain in a brief paragraph.
31. Pick a book you think each of the main characters would enjoy reading. Tell why.
32. Guess what would have happened if a character had made an important decision differently. Explain how the novel would change.
33. Make a detailed list of real things true in life you learned from reading your novel.
34. In a letter persuade a friend to read (or not read) it.
35. Prepare a document that would tell why you would (or wouldn’t) recommend the novel to your Math teacher.
36. Interview a character. Write at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story.
37. Explain your ideas about the environment (social, historical, natural) in which the book takes place. Do some research. What additional detail did you discover?
38. Use a scene or setting to create a postcard or greeting card. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
39. Compare it to another book the author has written. Describe common elements, style, theme, and so forth.
40. Write a song or two about it.
41. Plan a demonstration a protest that a character or all the characters might be interested in attending. Explain the issue, problem, concern the protesters have.
42. Prepare a list of its most unusual, difficult, or exciting words. Select at least ten. Write out the phrase you found the word in. Underline the word. Look up the definition. Try to use the word in a new sentence of your own.
43. Use its title to write your own short story or a memoir that fits from your life.
44. Compare it with a book of similar theme.
45. Prepare a book jacket for it. Explain what you are attempting in a short paragraph.
46. Become the author and tell why you wrote this book.
47. Plan the questions you’d use in a conference call interview with the author.
48. The author has written to you and wants to know how this book would have been improved. How would you answer?
49. Write a letter of appreciation to the author, asking questions and sharing thoughts. Mail it away (if practical). Let me know if you get a response. Extra credit!

50. Write about one of the character’s life twenty years from now.

51. Send a postcard from one of the characters. Draw a picture on top; write the message on the bottom of the RWN page.

52. Choose five appropriate birthday gifts for one of the characters involved. Tell why you chose each gift.

53. Plan a party for one or all of the characters involved. Suggest a theme. Explain why one character would not attend.

54. Choose five “artifacts” from the book that best illustrate the happenings and meanings of the story. Tell why you chose each one.
55. Pretend that you are going to join the characters in the story. What things will you need to pack? Think carefully, for you will be there for a week, and there is no going back home to get something!

56. Write a multiple-choice quiz of the book with at least ten questions.

57. Pretend you are making a movie of your book and are casting it. Choose the actors and actresses from people in the classroom. Explain your choices.

58. Write an obituary for one of the characters. Be sure to include lifetime accomplishments. Read the obituaries in the paper before you begin.

59. Choose a job for one of the characters in the book and write their letter of application.

60. You must give up your favorite and deeply loved pet to one of the characters in the book. Which character would you choose? Why?
61. Compose an ad for a dating service for one of the characters. Must be a full page!

62. Pretend that you can spend a day with one of the characters. Which character would you choose? Why? What would you do?

63. Make a gravestone for one of the characters. Include an epitaph under the gravestone.

64. Write a one-sentence summary of each chapter and illustrate three of the sentences.

65. Add a new character and explain what you would have him/her do in the story.

66. Check to see if your book has been made into a movie. Watch the movie. Write an essay comparing the movie version with the book.