How to Write the Main Parts of a Book Report

Writing a book report is a simple task that most students can do.

A book report is one of the first encounters students have with essay writing. Students learn to use a single source, the book they are reporting on, as the basis for their essay. This type of writing assignment requires creativity and attention to detail. Writing the book report requires an understanding of the main parts of the book report. This will help you understand what to look for as you make your way through the book or story.

Instructions

1. Introduce the main elements of the story. Your introduction is the starting point for the rest of your report and should contain a basic summary of what the rest of the report is about without giving away the entire story. Look for a theme as you read the book. Introduce this theme in the introduction to entice the reader to read further into your report and see how the theme is prevalent throughout he book. The introduction should also let the reader know who the main characters are and what the setting of the story is, for example, 19th century England.

2. Summarize the main plot of the book. Building on the main theme introduced in your opening section, provide a basis summary of the story from beginning to end that illustrates the main points of the theme. Avoid extraneous details and include only those elements of the story that specifically relate to the main plot. This portion of the report should only be one to two paragraphs, and should serve as the second part of your introduction to the book.

3. Analyze the major theme or plot of the story. This portion of your report should comprise the bulk of your material and consist of three or more paragraphs. Return to each major event summarized in the story summary in the preceding section and offer an analysis of how these connect to the main theme of the book. For instance, if your report is about Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," show the reader how the visitation from each Christmas spirit represents the need to remember, experience and anticipate the Christmas spirit.

4. Conclude your report by reemphasizing the main idea of your essay. The conclusion should tie up any loose ends and provide the reader with a summary of everything that you have reported on in the introduction, summary and analysis. The conclusion should leave the reader feeling satisfied that you have completed a thorough investigation of the work, leaving no reason to guess on the contents or the main theme of the book.

References

• Random House: Book Report Now!