Ms.

McKee
ELA 8

Name:

Book Talk Assignment

Prepare and deliver a 3-minute book talk to the class about a novel you have read independently. A book talk is a short
presentation used to share the novel with an audience and convince them that they should read your specific book. It is very
similar to a trailer for a film, which shows you just enough information to convince you that you should watch the movie, but does
not give away the whole story.

You may use cue card notes to make your presentation.

Introduction: Hook the Audience

 Clearly introduce your book by giving the name, author, and genre of the book.

 Next, find an interesting, exciting, or mysterious quote to start off your presentation. This quote will get the reader’s
attention. Don’t just pick any old quote, choose carefully and deliberately to try to capture the attention of the audience
and explain why you chose the quote. Why is it significant to the rest of the text?

Body: Explain why you love the book (using examples):

 The middle of the presentation will describe the main characters and the basic plot of the book (without giving too much
away of the story. Remember this talk is meant just to provide a taste of the book). Include where the book is set, what
kind of action or conflict is involved in the book, and the theme of the novel.

 DO NOT give away the end of the novel. Remember, you are trying to leave the audience wanting more so that they want
to read the book.

Closure: Wrap up your ideas and leave an impression:

 Rate your book out of 5 stars and give a critical reflection for why. What did you like and dislike most about the book?
You could include awards the book received or quotes from what other critics said about the book.

 End with a creative closing thought. Possible endings could include a question, catchy punch line or prediction about
which student in the class would enjoy the book.

Remember that your book talk is an oral presentation and it is important to maintain good eye contact, keep enthusiasm in your
voice, and make sure your audience can hear and understand you. Have fun as you prepare to share your novel with our class!

Brainstorming
Novel Elements:
 Ms. McKee
ELA 8

Title:

Author: Genre:

Opening ideas (question, quote, or bold statement):

Setting:

Main Characters:

Plot events/ Favorite parts of the novel:

(Remember no spoilers!)

Theme:
(What is the central
focus of the novel?)

Rating/Critical Review:
/ 5 Stars

(Liked most)
 Ms. McKee
ELA 8

(Disliked most)

Closing ideas:

(What can you leave the

audience with so that they
will want to read the book?)

Rubric for Book Talk

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Introduction Engaging Appealing introduction Unspecific No connection to

introduction with with clear connection introduction with text.
clear connection to to the text. vague connection
the text and an to text.
intriguing quote.

Body Thorough and Thorough summary of Average summary Does not

interesting summary plot, setting, and of plot, setting, and summarize plot,
 Ms. McKee
ELA 8

of plot, setting, and characters. Some characters. No setting, and

characters. Clear support for book rating. support for book characters. Book
support for book rating. rating is missing.
rating.

Conclusion Very enticing Interesting conclusion- Weak conclusion- Very boring

conclusion – draws listener might want to did not draw the conclusion or no
the listener to read read the book. listener towards conclusion at all.
the book. read the book.

Communication Maintains excellent Maintains good eye Sometimes makes Poor eye contact
eye contact, voice is contact, voice is mostly eye contact but is and difficult to
clear and clear, enthusiastic and difficult hear or
enthusiastic, words audible. Pronunciation understand or understand.
are pronounced is mostly correct. hear.
correctly, and tempo
varies.