How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report

The introduction to a book report is an invitation for the reader to join you in exploring the book of your choice. This section provides bibliographic information and a brief glimpse at the content of the book without giving away too many details as to spoil the rest of your paper.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Include the title of the book and author's name in the first sentence. Check with your teacher for specifics on how to format your paper and provide bibliographic information in your book report. Your instructor may require that you cite more than just the author's name and title of the book in the introduction.
2. Offer an explanation as to why you selected the book for your report. For example, if you chose the book because of a class requirement, be honest about your reason for writing your report on the material and state it in the introduction. Clarify your reasons if you chose the book because you like something about it like the author or genre.
3. Use one to two sentences to introduce the book to your audience. Provide a description of the main idea of the book to help the reader get an impression of what your report covers.
4. Describe the setting and provide a brief summary if you are writing about a work of fiction. Offer only one statement regarding the general topic of the material if you are reporting on a non-fiction book.
5. Inform the reader of significant details about the book. For example, if the book is a bestseller or won any awards, mention it in the introduction.