MLMN

A practical guide from MLMN

Use the checklist

Use a preview chapter to choose your next read

A sample can help you decide whether a novel's voice and pace interest you. Read it as an introduction to a story, without assuming it represents every later development.

Checklist

  1. Record the title, author and version of the sample. Note the opening situation and the main question that encourages you to continue.

  2. Observe viewpoint, dialogue and how information is introduced. Separate details the text establishes from your predictions about a character or the plot.

  3. Write a short response in your own words and note any content questions you want to research before reading further. Respect the author's rights when sharing excerpts.

Questions and answers

How much can I conclude from a few chapters?

You can assess your response to the opening, style and setup. Keep judgements about the whole book provisional until you have read it. A preview is useful for choosing what to explore, not for inventing a complete synopsis.