Book Report

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Book Report

A book report is a factual account of a book’s contents. It typically includes information about the book’s author, publisher, and a summary of the important elements and themes.

Task 1: Verify project requirements

Verify that you know exactly what is expected of you. Review all the information you have about your assignment and make sure you can answer the following questions. If you don’t know the answer to a question, ask your teacher.

When is the book report due?

Are you expected to do your report on a specific book or a particular type of book?

Is there a requirement for length?

Task 2: Select a book

If your teacher didn’t assign a specific book, your first task is to select one.

Choose a book that interests you and complies with any guidelines your teacher provided. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, ask your school librarian, a knowledgeable staff member at a book store, or your public librarian for recommendations.

Task 3: Read the book

Find a quiet place and start reading. As you read, answer the following questions:

What is the setting?

When does the story take place?

Who are the main characters?

What is the plot of the story?

Does the story include a problem or a conflict? How is it resolved?

Does the author use any recurring themes or symbolism? How do these literary devices contribute to the story?

Task 4: Create an outline

Now that you’ve read the book, it’s time to organize your ideas—that is, to outline your book report. A carefully organized outline will make writing your report much easier, so plan to spend some quality time on it.

1. Put the title of the book at the top of a sheet of paper, then list the key elements of the story you plan to include in your report. Example:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Setting

Time period

Characters

Plot summary

Conflict and resolution

Recurring themes; symbolism

2. Read through your elements and consider the order in which they appear. Does the sequence of your points work? Could your report be stronger if you presented the elements in a different order? If necessary, rearrange the order of your outline.

Task 5: Body

Writing your book report can be an intimidating task. Let the tools you’ve amassed so far—your knowledge of the book and your outline—do the heavy lifting for you.

1. With your outline as a guide, turn each of the elements into sections or paragraphs.

2. Connect your paragraphs into a cohesive narrative. Be sure to use strong transitions between paragraphs—your goal is to make clear to the reader why you presented the information in the order that you did.

3. Read through your book report with a critical eye. Does each topic sentence clearly summarize the point of the paragraph? If not, use this opportunity to fine-tune it. Does the book report’s organization work? Don’t be afraid to swap sections or paragraphs to present a stronger argument.

Congratulations! The hardest part is behind you. Pat yourself on the back and take a break. If can spare the time, don’t even think about your book report for a day or two. This will help you approach the next step with a fresh eye.

Task 6: Introduction and conclusion

The introduction and conclusion reinforce the key points you made in the body of your book report.

1. Introduction. Think of your introduction as the opening statement an attorney would make at a trial. Tell the jury—or in this case, your readers—what they are about to learn. Be sure to include the book’s title and author’s name, along with the name of the publisher, date of publication, and number of pages.

2. Conclusion. Think of your conclusion as the attorney’s closing statement. Emphasize the most important information you want the reader to know about the book. You may also choose to use include a brief discussion of your impressions of the book.

Task 7: Final draft

Put the final touches on your book report. Don’t be tempted to skip these steps—nothing detracts from a good book report than grammar or spelling errors.

1. Run a spell-check on your book report.

2. Print out your report and read it from start to finish, just the way your teacher will. Note any typos or grammar problems, and correct them right away.

3. Print a corrected copy and ask a parent or another trusted person to give it a critical read. Make any changes you think are necessary.

4. Read it one more time to make sure you didn’t introduce any other errors.

5. Hand it in… Congratulations!