Do It Right.

Or else you’ll get a bad grade.

 What is a Book Report?
A Book Report is a report you write about a book you have read
all by yourself. Things to remember about book reports include:
● You must read a book. With paper. And a cover. It must have
pages in it. It can’t be digital.
● You must read it by yourself. You can’t get your mom or dad or
weird internet bot to read it to you.
● You must read the whole book. Not half. Not just the back cover.
You can’t just ogle the pictures. You can’t just look up a summary
online.
●
 What is the purpose of a Book Report?

To apply important
To show that you can To communicate to
knowledge about literature
read and understand a others important
to a book you choose for
book. information about a book.
yourself.
 There are Two Kinds of Book Reports

Fiction Nonfiction
Fiction books include novels and collections of Nonfiction books include history, science,
short stories. biographies, and any book that discusses things
that really happened.
 Book Approval
To be approved, books:

● should not have extreme profanity, inappropriate themes, or overly

controversial subject matter.
● must be written on or above grade level (you may check lexile
levels to ensure this).
● cannot have been made into movies or shows.
● may not be dumb or useless.
 Format for a Fiction Book Report
First Paragraph Second Paragraph Third Paragraph Fourth Paragraph Fifth Paragraph
Explain the book’s
central conflict. Is it Identify what point
internal or Discuss the book’s
of view is used. If it’s Discuss the book’s
Explain why you external? Explain theme(s). What
first person, state total effect and
chose the book. how the conflict larger truth about
who the narrator is. provide your
was resolved life does the book
Provide a brief reveal? evaluation of the
Discuss the main
summary of the Explain what book. Was it good,
character(s).
plot. happens at the Provide a quote bad, or a mixture of
Characterize them.
book’s climax and from the book that the two? Explain
Are they round or
resolution. best helps explain why.
flat? Static or
the theme.
Describe the book’s dynamic? Explain.
setting.

Notes ● Each paragraph must be fully developed and should include five to seven sentences.
● Follow the guidelines completely.
● Be explicit in explaining each of the required parts.
 Format for a Nonfiction Book Report
First Paragraph Second Paragraph Third Paragraph Fourth Paragraph Fifth Paragraph
Explain why you Discuss the book’s
chose the book. Discuss the book’s
subject. Why did Discuss the book’s
audience. Who was
Explain what kind the writer select purpose. What is
the book primarily Discuss the book’s
of nonfiction it is this particular the writer’s aim in
written for? Is it a total effect and
(biography, subject? Did the providing the
general audience provide your
description, writer take an information? Was
or an audience that evaluation of the
narration, etc.) objective or the aim
would already book. Was it good,
subjective accomplished?
possess critical bad, or a mixture of
Describe how the approach to his Provide a quote
background the two? Explain
book is organized. subject? What that best explains
knowledge about why.
special insight into the writer’s
Provide a brief the subject? How
the subject did the purpose.
summary of the do you know?
book provide?
book’s contents.

Notes ● Each paragraph must be fully developed and should include five to seven sentences.
● Follow the guidelines completely.
● Be explicit in explaining each of the required parts.
 Important Information
Your book must be
approved by Mr.
Stallings
Don't be upset if a book is
disapproved. It doesn't mean
you can't still read the book; it
just means I want you to make
another selection for your book
report. There are literally millions
of books out there to choose
from; the school librarian and I
will happily help you find one
that will interest you.
Mr. Stallings Check List
Follow directions
completely.
Capitalize and italicize
titles.
Double-space your report.
Use a 10-12 pt. Times New
Hand Signals Roman or Arial font.
Include a heading with
name, date, and period.
Use the title of your book
as the title for your report.
 The End.
● The end. Now go do your book report. Check your assignment
calendar for the due date.