Write a Book Report

Most students will have to write a book report. But writing a book report isn't always easy. It is best to enjoy the book and not think about the report until you have finished reading. Now, absorb and think about what it was you read. Get up from your chair, walk around, then sit down at the table and start to write.

Steps

Before You Write

  1. Know the requirements of your assignment. Ask questions until you understand it completely. Can you read any book? Must it be a specific length? A specific genre or subject? Should you simply summarize the book or should you give your opinion, too?
    • Figure out what your teacher is looking for in a book report. How many words should it be? When is the deadline?
    • If you have not yet chosen a book, ask friends if they have any good suggestions. It's a good idea to check a very quick summary online to make sure it's your type of book. Be sure to stick to any lists or limits you have been given.
  2. Read the book and annotate. Keep a pencil and paper by you as you read, writing down points and page numbers. Take notes, mark important parts, underline enthralling lines (if you are allowed). Try to appreciate the book: It will teach you something if you are open to learning. Keep these things in mind:
    • Characters: Who are the main characters? What happens to them? Did you like them? Were there good and bad characters? Did they all have good traits and bad traits? Did they seem like real life people or animals, or did they seem fake?
    • Main ideas and themes: What is the main idea of the book? What happens? What did you learn that you did not know before?
    • Quotes: What parts did you like best? Are there parts that you could quote to make your report more enjoyable?[1]
  3. Outline the main ideas and sub-ideas of your book. Do this while the story is still fresh in your head. It will help you organize your thoughts for your report.
    • Who were the main characters? Why did they do what they did? How did they change throughout the book, if at all? What made you like or dislike them as you read?
    • What were the turning points in the story? What big, important events happened in the story? How did the resolution of the story come about? Was it a satisfying ending?

The Form of Your Report

  1. Start with a clear introduction. In the first paragraph, state the title and author of the book. Your teacher may want the publisher, year of publication, genre, and the number of pages, too.
    • In addition to the basic facts, you should give a short summary of what your book report explores. Touch on very basic plot points of the book and the themes the author used.
  2. Create the body of your paper. For the next few paragraphs, refer to your teacher's assignment sheet to decide which parts of your outline you want to expand on in the meat of your report.
    • Consider giving your opinion of the book. Was it good? What about the book made it good or bad, powerful or dull? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? You can and should use examples from the book to back up your claims.
    • Dig a little deeper. What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way? Would you recommend this book to others? Why? What would you tell them before they read it? What would you talk about after you read it?[1]
    • Don't try to summarize each chapter or every angle. Choose the ones that are most significant and interesting to you.[2]
      • For non-fiction, provide a general overview of the author's topic, main points, and argument. What is the thesis? What are the important conclusions? What are the author's qualifications to write about the subject? Do you agree with the author's arguments and conclusions? What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?[2]
  3. Write a conclusion that wraps everything up. Restate your thesis or main idea in your conclusion. Review the major points and, if appropriate, state your opinion.
    • Pull all your thoughts together. Leave the reader with the impression you were left with and, if the book was good, make them want to read the book for themselves.

The Final Copy

  1. Reread your writing and reorganize it if necessary. You should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Make sure that the paragraphs support your introduction, especially if you have an opinion or thesis statement there.
    • Make sure there are logical transitions between your points. Your paragraphs should flow into each other, but sentences should flow into each other, too.
    • Look over the paper your teacher gave you. Have you met all the requirements and stipulations? Is it the proper format?
  2. Proofread your work for errors. Spellcheck misses typos all the time. Better yet, give yourself a break and have somebody else proofread your work, too. Sometimes a new pair of eyes sees different mistakes.
    • In addition to having a friend correct your work for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes, ask them about the content. Does everything make sense? Does it flow? Are they captivated?

Sample Book Report and Summaries

Doc:Book Report,Summary Plot of Macbeth,Summary Plot of My Sister's Keeper,Summary Plot of The Lottery Rose



Tips

  • Don't procrastinate! You may run out of time to spend on your report or you may also completely forget about it!
  • Refrain from using contractions (i.e 'don't' should be written as 'do not') and too many "I" statements, as it makes your report sound informal.
  • Check your facts! When you are writing the report and you write something that you are not 100% sure about, check the book!
  • Make sure you read the book. Your teacher will know if you haven't.
  • An absolutely brilliant idea to get bonus marks is to PEE: point, evidence, and explanation. This helps back up your point, and it helps you to not ramble on, which can lose you marks.
  • Follow all the instructions of your professor. Fulfilling this point will bring an A+ book report.
  • Don't get distracted.
  • One easy way to organize a book report summary is chronologically. Talk about the events in the order that they occurred in the book or story.
  • Try to choose a book you would like, that isn't really easy to read but that you will be able to read by the deadline and have time to write the report.
  • Write your name on it!
  • Ask a teacher for help if you need it.
  • If you use quotes, be sure that they fit in with what you have written. Also, don't just put them in; explain what the quote means and why it is important.
  • After you done with your report, check your answer two or more times.
  • If you forget things, read the book again.
  • Never watch the movie instead of reading the book for a report. Often, the movies distort many facts, and your teacher will know that you have not read the book.

Warnings

  • Copying a summary or any other piece of writing without credit is considered plagiarism, and can lead to serious consequences if caught.
  • Make sure all the information is true.
  • Reading Cliff's Notes or watching the movie can be a good supplement to reading a book, but they shouldn't take the place of reading it. Teachers can often tell when their students have not read the book.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/703/1/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.infoplease.com/homework/wsbookreporths.html
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