Book Reports

Writing book reports is one of the best ways a teacher can determine how far you have come in grasping the English language, the familiarization of the relationship of words to each other, how much you are comprehending (understanding) and how well you can communicate your understanding. Because book reports are such a vital instrument to help teachers help you, from the seventh grade onward, the book report will be an almost monthly, if not weekly, part of your education.

A book report will include several things, including the plot, the theme and any symbolisms used.

The plot is the overall story. For example, if a book was called, “My Summer Vacation,” the plot would be about summer vacations. It’s the “bigger” picture of the story.

The theme is the moral, ethical, societal, familial or religious message or view the author is trying to make in the story. For example, in Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” the theme is that the strong survive and the weak perish. Sometimes the theme can be hidden, sometimes it is blatantly obvious and sometimes there are several themes contained in one story. It is up to the reader to see if they can find all of the themes.

Symbolisms in a story are generally objects, numbers, places or colors that repeat throughout the story. For example, if you have ever seen the movies “The Sixth Sense” or “Schindler’s List,” the color red is used to symbolize death not only of people but of ideals. Not all authors use symbolisms but most do. It becomes a fun challenge to see how and what the author has used.

THE WRITING PROCESS:

There are steps that should be followed when writing down a book report. These steps include:

1. The first step is to write a short outline that will contain an introductory paragraph, three to seven middle paragraphs (the meat of your report) and a concluding paragraph.

2. Write a chronological list of the basic plot.

3. Begin to write your report:

a) A book report should include a cover page (much like the cover of a book). The cover page should list the title of the book that the report is on, the author of the book, the genre of the book (i.e., young adult, fiction, non-fiction, biography, historical, etc.) and then list your name as the author of the book report.

b) The first paragraph should set the scene of what the book was about. Include the time period of the story, the location where the story took place and set up what the plot is.

c) The second and perhaps third paragraphs should describe the characters, what their personalities were like, some of the adventures they were caught up in and what obstacles did they have to overcome. The purpose of these paragraphs is to let the readers get to know the characters without having actually read the main book.

d) In paragraphs four through seven (or however many paragraphs you wish to use to write your report) summarize the plot of the entire story using excitement. Identify the theme and highlight any symbolisms that may have been used. Give as much detail as you can to interest the readers, perhaps even inspire them to want to read the book for themselves.

e) Write the last or concluding paragraph. Take your time with this paragraph by wrapping up the central theme and outcome. Also include any lessons you believe the original author was trying to convey in the story, such as being compassionate or giving, or that good things come to those who work hard, and explain why you believe those were the messages the author was emphasizing.

One important note to make here is that a book report is only meant to give a quick accounting of the main book, it is not meant to input your opinion about the book. When giving your opinion, then you are writing a book review and not a book report.