A book report summarizes and offers a reaction to a book, either fiction or nonfiction. Most of the book report should be a summary of the contents of the book. The reader's reaction is only a brief part of the report.

Prewriting

1. Read the whole book carefully, making notes as you read. Include information such as important names, dates, incidents, ideas and the page numbers on which these ideas are found. Take note of significant passages which may be useful for supporting detail in the book report. When you are finished reading, sort through your notes for subject-matter ideas. A subject-matter idea is one directly related to the subject of the class for which you are preparing the report.
2. From the subject-matter ideas, choose two or three ideas that show the contribution the book has made to the subject matter.
3. Check to see if the author has written other books, noting especially those of similar subject matter. Second, check the author's background and make note of anything that particularly related to this book's subject matter.

Organizing your Book report

The introduction includes the basic information: the book's title, author, and topic or theme. Likewise, either here or in the conclusion, include a sentence or two about any important details regarding the author's background.

Body paragraphs

1. A book report usually includes three or four main paragraphs. The first main paragraph is a brief summary of the book, organized in the same order as the book itself.
2. The next two or three main paragraphs explain the two or three topics you listed in Steps 1 and 2 above. Develop a separate paragraph for each, using incidents, examples, and supporting quotations from the book. Order these paragraphs in the order of importance.

Conclusion

The final paragraph summarizes the book's contribution to the subject area and includes the reader's reaction to the book, particularly as it relates to the subject matter. Remember, the bulk of your report should explain the two or three subject-matter ideas selected in Steps 1 and 2.

Revision Checklist

1. Does the first paragraph include the basic information and the book's title?
2. Does the first paragraph include a thesis sentence?
3. Is the one-paragraph synopsis, concise?
4. Are the two or three subject-related ideas developed in separate paragraphs?
5. Are the subject-related ideas supported by details and quotations from the book?
6. Are all details relevant to your thesis?
7. Are quotations from the book included to provide support and authenticity?
8. Are the quotations accurately enclosed in quotation marks and accurately punctuated?
9. Do transitions connect ideas within and between the paragraphs?
10. Do word choice and sentence structure seem appropriate to the subject and the audience?
11. Are sentences varied, both in length and structure?
12. Does the organization emphasize the report's main ideas?

 Grading Rubrics

• Go here for the general composition rubric.
• Go here for the Book Report grading rubric.

From: Sorenson, Sharon. Webster's New World Student Writing Handbook. 3rd ed. New York: Macmillan, 1997.