How to Write Book Report
Many students have had the experience of writing book reports from their elementary and middle school days. However, when faced with a similar assignment in college, those students may wonder how to write book reports at a level appropriate for their new academic environment. A book report for college is radically different from a book report a student may have completed in elementary, middle, or even high school, because a college book report is expected to go beyond summary and the reasons why the reader likes or does not like the book to include a significant element of analysis. Analysis is critical consideration. To analyze a book requires carefully considering all of its major components—including content, style, presentation, and research (if applicable) to determine if they are valid, engaging, and professional. This is perhaps the most important element of collegiate level book report writing, and the one most important to those wishing to learn how to write book reports successfully.
Most book reports should indicate the title of the book, name of the author, and year the book was published in the first paragraph of the book report itself. This paragraph may also indicate the book’s subject and the overall feelings of the book report writer towards the book. Remember, however, that this is only the introduction, and should not reveal too much about either the writer’s analysis or the book’s summary. A comprehensive summary should come after the introductory paragraph.
There is no specific formula regarding how to write book report summaries. However, there are a few guidelines one should follow. The writer should avoid spending too much time or space on the summary. This is because the primary objective of the book report is to present the book report writer’s ideas and comments on the book. The summary element of the report should therefore be no more than 1/3 the total length of the report. This summary should highlight the main points or actions presented in the book in order to provide the reader with an understanding of what the book is about. It is important for those learning how to write book report summaries to avoid giving away the ending of a work of fiction so as not to spoil the action for another reader. The summary section should also avoid commenting on the text. The commenting comes after the summary, in the critical analysis section.
Writers unfamiliar with critical textual analysis may be unsure of how to write book report analysis. Analysis is simply the writer’s ideas, supported with evidence from the text. The analysis section should identify the main themes of the book (if it is fiction) or the main arguments used to defend the thesis (if it is nonfiction). It should then comment on how effectively these themes or arguments are developed, using evidence from the text. This section should also comment on the book’s presentation—it’s grammar, spelling, formatting, etc.—and the author’s style—her way of writing and using language. When writing book reports, remember that the commentary section is more important than the summary. The analysis component of the book report should be roughly 2/3 of the paper and should thoroughly address the critical components discussed above.
If students have further questions about how to write book reports, they may benefit from reading other book reports, enlisting the assistance of a classmate, or seeking the advice of their instructor.
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