Book Report

Your teacher’s goal is to broaden your understanding of the world and society, and to further enlighten you through the words of an author. But teachers gain a great deal more than that from assigning book reports. Teachers learn from them, too!

Considering this, it’s even more important for you to write a great report. First, include the basics.

Introduction

Write a strong paragraph that states the book’s title (underlined or italicized), genre, author’s name, and publication information. Also give a brief statement about the book’s angle, theme, or message.

Body

Before you get started on the body of the report, take a few minutes to jot down some helpful information by considering the following points.

Did you enjoy the book?
Was it well written?
If it was a fictional work, list the characters.
If it was a work of non-fiction, identify the writer’s thesis.
What is the writing style?
Is this book a part of a series?

In the body of your book report, you will write an extended summary of the book, explain the major conflict evident in the plot, while weaving some of Your own observations through your remarks. For example, you could say:

“This book, the third in a series, offers insight to the bizarre childhood of Bethany Robbins, the main character. The author describes how Bethany developed a friendship with a skunk that lived in the woods behind her house. Alfred, the skunk, explains to Bethany the pitfalls of bathing too frequently.”

The list of points should provide enough material for writing several paragraphs as you summarize. As you lead to your final paragraph, consider some additional impressions and opinions:

* Was the ending satisfactory (for fiction)?
* Was the thesis supported by strong evidence (for non-ficton)?
* What interesting or notable facts do you know about the author?
* Would you recommend this book?

Conclusion

Conclude your report with a paragraph or two that covers these additional points. Some teachers prefer that you re-state the name and author of the book in the concluding paragraph. As always, consult your specific assignment guide. Unless instructed otherwise, your final last sentence should offer a one-sentence summary with your overall opinion, as in the following example.

”The author provided an intriguing and entertaining glimpse into the mind of girl who learned about life through the words, real or imagined, of her wild but wise friends from the forest.”