20 questions to ask about a book you’ve read

Posted on July 15, 2015 by

A starting point for discussion in reading groups or for students doing reading assignments (fiction).

  1. Explain the title.
  2. What category or genre do you think it fits into?
  3. What do you think the author’s purpose was?
  4. Something you liked about it.
  5. Something you disliked about it.
  6. Describe the setting.
  7. Which character did you like most?
  8. Which character did you like least?
  9. Describe one of the main characters.
  10. What changes does a main character go through?
  11. Describe one significant episode.
  12. What techniques does the author use to tell the story?
  13. How did reading it change you, or your views?
  14. What would you say to persuade a friend to read it or not to read it?
  15. Summarise it in one written sentence or a one minute speech.
  16. What feedback would you give the author?
  17. How might you have written it differently?
  18. What do you think of the ending?
  19. What happens, or should happen, after the ending?
  20. What would you want to read about in a sequel or prequel?

Students can be asked to select which 5 questions to prepare answers for, to ask each other in turn or to be ready to answer any of these in a class discussion.

The idea is to encourage students to engage with a text from different perspectives and to share their responses to it without simply re-telling the story.

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About Eddie Playfair

I am a Senior Policy Manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC) having previously been a college principal for 16 years and a teacher before that. I live in East London and I blog in a personal capacity about education and culture. I also tweet at @eddieplayfair
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11 Responses to 20 questions to ask about a book you’ve read

  1. Priscilla Choi says:
    November 11, 2017 at 12:29 am

    very helpful.
    Thank you very much.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. kyminspiration says:
    January 7, 2018 at 4:22 am

    I love these questions, I have to ask questions about the Secret Garden for school and needed ideas. I’m very glad I read this blog post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Zerahiah says:
    March 20, 2018 at 6:41 pm

    Thx so much needed help for my book talk.🤓🤓🤓🤓

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Laurinda cangombe says:
    June 3, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    It will really help me alot. I’m grateful

    Like

    Reply
  5. chris says:
    June 13, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    thanks

    Like

    Reply
  6. Emily says:
    July 12, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    It help’s me with my book report thanks!!!!

    Like

    Reply
  7. Charles DiSilva says:
    July 24, 2019 at 5:05 am

    These questions are really great. Thank you very much.

    Like

    Reply
  8. lillyhoke@hotmail.com says:
    September 23, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    these question are great but some of the questions i dont understand but ill try my best and thank you!

    Like

    Reply
  9. gage gates says:
    October 26, 2019 at 9:45 pm

    very helpfull!!!

    Like

    Reply
  10. dreamzunlimited72 says:
    October 28, 2019 at 6:12 am

    Thank you so much for the entire set of questions. It will definitely be of great help to the students how to write a more comprehensive review.

    Like

    Reply

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