Deconstruct a Novel’s Opening with Literary AI

Strengthen text analysis skills using AI to unpack a novel’s opening chapter.

Teaching Context:
Perfect for Year 9 or 10 English students during a novel study unit. Helps students develop close reading and analytical skills by examining how writers hook readers and establish tone and setting.

Basic AI Prompt:
What techniques does the author use in the opening chapter of [novel title] to grab the reader's attention?

Enhanced AI Prompt:
You are a literary analyst. Read the opening chapter of [novel title] and identify how the author establishes setting, character, and mood. Highlight at least three literary techniques (such as imagery, foreshadowing, tone) and explain how they affect the reader. Write in student-friendly language.

Spice it Up (Optional Extension):
Ask the AI to summarise its findings as a PEEL paragraph. Students can also generate a short creative rewrite of the opening using a different tone.

Lesson Implementation:
Begin with a class read-aloud of the first chapter. Discuss initial impressions in pairs. Introduce the AI prompt and demonstrate it live with ChatGPT or a similar tool. Students then input their own version of the prompt and compare AI responses. In groups, students identify useful phrases or ideas and annotate their novels.

Use graphic organisers to scaffold literary techniques. For extension, students rework part of the opening in a new style. Share insights on Padlet or Google Slides. This activity supports assessment preparation in analytical writing and builds confidence with literary terminology.

Got ideas on different ways to use this prompt? Share them with the class in the comments below!

Also, if you liked this, you'll love the thousands of subject-specific AI prompts in our books section!