Elements of a Book Report

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Elements of a Book Report
Miss Gruell ELA B10 February 2006
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Introduction

• Name the author and the books title.
• Briefly describe the books theme(s) and other
  critical elements.
• Suggest what you thought of it.

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Setting

• Describe the time, place, and the cultural
  setting.
• Explain how the setting is important to the story
  and theme(s).

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Characters

• Describe the main characters and any other
  important characters.
• Focus some detailed description on the main
  character. Does he or she change because of the
  events of the story? How?
• Do these changes relate to the theme(s)?

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Plot

• What is the conflict or problem in the story?
• Explain important events leading to the climax or
  turning point of the story.
• Explain the climax.
• Describe what happens after the climax. Is the
  conflict resolved? How?
• Are the theme(s) revealed?

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Theme

• Why did the author write this book?
• What ideas does the story present to you?
• How do the ideas in the story relate to life in
  general, or your life specifically?

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Criticism

• Using at least two specific examples, explain
  what you did or did not like about the main
  character.
• State two reasons why you did or did not like the
  book.

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Helpful Hints

• Avoid long plot summary.
• Strive for insight.
• Document opinion with examples, quotations, and
  citations.
• Each paragraph should have a topic sentence,
  development of that topic or idea, and a
  conclusion or summary.

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Book Talk
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General Requirements

• Brief author information
• Theme(s) depicted throughout the book
• Brief summary (DO NOT give away the ending!)
• Character descriptions
• Read a passage to engage the listeners and to
  promote the book
• Criticism (general)

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Happy Reading!