How To Write a Book Report

How to Write a Book Report (Middle and High School level)
Book reports and book reviews are similar. Book reports tend to be a little more descriptive (What is this book about?) and book reviews areusually more persuasive (Why a reader should or shouldn't read this book). Both offer a combination of summary and commentary.
They are a way to think more deeply about a book you've read and todemonstrate your understanding.
Most teachers have their own requirements, and sometimes a specific format they expect you to follow, so be sure to check, but the following general elements of a bookreport or book review should be helpful.
Introduction
Here you want to provide basic information about the book, and a sense of what your report will be about. You should include:
1. Title(underlined)/Author
2. Publication Information: Publisher, year, number of pages
3. Genre
4. A brief introduction to the book and the report.
Body
There are two main sections for this part. The first isan explanation of what the book is about, it includes a summary of the book. The second is your opinions about the book and how successful it is.
A good place to start is to explain the author'spurpose and/or the main themes of the book. Then you can summarize.
For fiction or other creative writing:
Provide brief descriptions of the setting, the point of view (who tells the story), theprotagonist , and other major characters. If there is a distinct mood or tone, discuss that as well.
Give a concise plot summary. Along with the sequence of major events, you may want to discuss thebook's climax and resolution, and/or literary devices such as foreshadowing. But, if you are writing a review, be careful not to give away important plot details or the ending.


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?
Don't try to summarize each chapter or every angle. Choose the ones...