body of book report

How to Write a Book Report

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Book Report Fundamentals

Preparing to write, an overview of the book report format, how to write the main body of a book report, how to write a conclusion to a book report, reading comprehension and book reports, book report resources for teachers .

Book reports remain a key educational assessment tool from elementary school through college. Sitting down to close read and critique texts for their content and form is a lifelong skill, one that benefits all of us well beyond our school years. With the help of this guide, you’ll develop your reading comprehension and note-taking skills. You’ll also find resources to guide you through the process of writing a book report, step-by-step, from choosing a book and reading actively to revising your work. Resources for teachers are also included, from creative assignment ideas to sample rubrics.

Book reports follow general rules for composition, yet are distinct from other types of writing assignments. Central to book reports are plot summaries, analyses of characters and themes, and concluding opinions. This format differs from an argumentative essay or critical research paper, in which impartiality and objectivity is encouraged. Differences also exist between book reports and book reviews, who do not share the same intent and audience. Here, you’ll learn the basics of what a book report is and is not.

What Is a Book Report?

"Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

This article, written by a professor emeritus of rhetoric and English, describes the defining characteristics of book reports and offers observations on how they are composed.

"Writing a Book Report" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab outlines the steps in writing a book report, from keeping track of major characters as you read to providing adequate summary material.

"How to Write a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

This article provides another helpful guide to writing a book report, offering suggestions on taking notes and writing an outline before drafting. 

"How to Write a Successful Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

Another post from ThoughtCo., this article highlights the ten steps for book report success. It was written by an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and an Essay?

"Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing" ( Classroom)

In this article from the education resource Classroom,  you'll learn the differences and similarities between book reports and essay writing.

"Differences Between a Book Report and Essay Writing" (SeattlePi.com)

In this post from a Seattle newspaper's website, memoirist Christopher Cascio highlights how book report and essay writing differ.

"The Difference Between Essays and Reports" (Solent Online Learning)

This PDF from Southampton Solent University includes a chart demonstrating the differences between essays and reports. Though it is geared toward university students, it will help students of all levels understand the differing purposes of reports and analytical essays.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and a Book Review?

"How to Write a Book Review and a Book Report" (Concordia Univ.)

The library at Concordia University offers this helpful guide to writing book report and book reviews. It defines differences between the two, then presents components that both forms share.

"Book Reviews" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s writing guide shows the step-by-step process of writing book reviews, offering a contrast to the composition of book reports.

Active reading and thoughtful preparation before you begin your book report are necessary components of crafting a successful piece of writing. Here, you’ll find tips and resources to help you learn how to select the right book, decide which format is best for your report, and outline your main points.

Selecting and Finding a Book

"30 Best Books for Elementary Readers" (Education.com)

This article from Education.com lists 30 engaging books for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It was written by Esme Raji Codell, a teacher, author, and children's literature specialist.

"How to Choose a Good Book for a Report (Middle School)" (WikiHow)

This WikiHow article offers suggestions for middle schoolers on how to choose the right book for a report, from getting started early on the search process to making sure you understand the assignment's requirements.

"Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers" (Common Sense Media)

Common Sense Media has compiled this list of 25 of the best books for middle school book reports. For younger students, the article suggests you check out the site's "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12."

"50 Books to Read in High School" (Lexington Public Library)

The Lexington, Kentucky Public Library has prepared this list to inspire high school students to choose the right book. It includes both classics and more modern favorites.

The Online Computer Library Center's catalogue helps you locate books in libraries near you, having itemized the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries.

Formats of Book Reports

"Format for Writing a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

Here, Your Dictionary supplies guidelines for the basic book report format. It describes what you'll want to include in the heading, and what information to include in the introductory paragraph. Be sure to check these guidelines against your teacher's requirements.

"The Good Old Book Report" (Scholastic)

Nancy Barile’s blog post for Scholastic lists the questions students from middle through high school should address in their book reports.

How to Write an Outline

"Writer’s Web: Creating Outlines" (Univ. of Richmond)

The University of Richmond’s Writing Center shows how you can make use of micro and macro outlines to organize your argument.

"Why and How to Create a Useful Outline" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab demonstrates how outlines can help you organize your report, then teaches you how to create outlines.

"Creating an Outline" (EasyBib)

EasyBib, a website that generates bibliographies, offers sample outlines and tips for creating your own. The article encourages you to think about transitions and grouping your notes.

"How to Write an Outline: 4 Ways to Organize Your Thoughts" (Grammarly)

This blog post from a professional writer explains the advantages of using an outline, and presents different ways to gather your thoughts before writing.

In this section, you’ll find resources that offer an overview of how to write a book report, including first steps in preparing the introduction. A good book report's introduction hooks the reader with strong opening sentences and provides a preview of where the report is going.

"Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This article from Classroom furnishes students with a guide to the stages of writing a book report, from writing the rough draft to revising.

"Your Roadmap to a Better Book Report" ( Time4Writing )

Time4Writing offers tips for outlining your book report, and describes all of the information that the introduction, body, and conclusion should include.

"How to Start a Book Report" ( ThoughtCo)

This ThoughtCo. post, another by academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, demonstrates how to write a pithy introduction to your book report.

"How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief but helpful post from Classroom  details what makes a good book report introduction, down to the level of individual sentences.

The body paragraphs of your book report accomplish several goals: they describe the plot, delve more deeply into the characters and themes that make the book unique, and include quotations and examples from the book. Below are some resources to help you succeed in summarizing and analyzing your chosen text.

Plot Summary and Description

"How Do You Write a Plot Summary?" ( Reference )

This short article presents the goals of writing a plot summary, and suggests a word limit. It emphasizes that you should stick to the main points and avoid including too many specific details, such as what a particular character wears.

"How to Write a Plot for a Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

In this article from a resource website for writers, Patricia Harrelson outlines what information to include in a plot summary for a book report. 

"How to Write a Book Summary" (WikiHow)

Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as an example, this WikiHow article demonstrates how to write a plot summary one step at a time.

Analyzing Characters and Themes

"How to Write a Character Analysis Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kristine Tucker shows how to write a book report focusing on character. You can take her suggestions as they are, or consider  incorporating them into the more traditional book report format.

"How to Write a Character Analysis" (YouTube)

The SixMinuteScholar Channel utilizes analysis of the film  Finding Nemo to show you how to delve deeply into character, prioritizing inference over judgment.

"How to Define Theme" ( The Editor's Blog )

Fiction editor Beth Hill contributes an extended definition of theme. She also provides examples of common themes, such as "life is fragile."

"How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story" ( ThoughtCo )

This blog post from ThoughtCo. clarifies the definition of theme in relation to symbolism, plot, and moral. It also offers examples of themes in literature, such as love, death, and good vs. evil.

Selecting and Integrating Quotations

"How to Choose and Use Quotations" (Santa Barbara City College)

This guide from a college writing center will help you choose which quotations to use in your book report, and how to blend quotations with your own words.

"Guidelines for Incorporating Quotes" (Ashford Univ.)

This PDF from Ashford University's Writing Center introduces the ICE method for incorporating quotations: introduce, cite, explain.

"Quote Integration" (YouTube)

This video from The Write Way YouTube channel illustrates how to integrate quotations into writing, and also explains how to cite those quotations.

"Using Literary Quotations" (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)

This guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center helps you emphasize your analysis of a quotation, and explains how to incorporate quotations into your text.

Conclusions to any type of paper are notoriously tricky to write. Here, you’ll learn some creative ways to tie up loose ends in your report and express your own opinion of the book you read. This open space for sharing opinions that are not grounded in critical research is an element that often distinguishes book reports from other types of writing.

"How to Write a Conclusion for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief article from the education resource  Classroom illustrates the essential points you should make in a book report conclusion.

"Conclusions" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center lays out strategies for writing effective conclusions. Though the article is geared toward analytical essay conclusions, the tips offered here will also help you write a strong book report.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Pat Bellanca’s article for Harvard University’s Writing Center presents ways to conclude essays, along with tips. Again, these are suggestions for concluding analytical essays that can also be used to tie up a book report's loose ends.

Reading closely and in an engaged manner is the strong foundation upon which all good book reports are built. The resources below will give you a picture of what active reading looks like, and offer strategies to assess and improve your reading comprehension. Further, you’ll learn how to take notes—or “annotate” your text—making it easier to find important information as you write.

How to Be an Active Reader

"Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read" (Princeton Univ.)

Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning recommends ten strategies for active reading, and includes sample diagrams.

"Active Reading" (Open Univ.)

The Open University offers these techniques for reading actively alongside video examples. The author emphasizes that you should read for comprehension—not simply to finish the book as quickly as possible.

"7 Active Reading Strategies for Students" ( ThoughtCo )

In this post, Grace Fleming outlines seven methods for active reading. Her suggestions include identifying unfamiliar words and finding the main idea. 

"5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments" (YouTube)

Thomas Frank’s seven-minute video demonstrates how you can retain the most important information from long and dense reading material.

Assessing Your Reading Comprehension

"Macmillan Readers Level Test" (MacMillan)

Take this online, interactive test from a publishing company to find out your reading level. You'll be asked a number of questions related to grammar and vocabulary.

"Reading Comprehension Practice Test" (ACCUPLACER)

ACCUPLACER is a placement test from The College Board. This 20-question practice test will help you see what information you retain after reading short passages.

"Reading Comprehension" ( English Maven )

The English Maven site has aggregated exercises and tests at various reading levels so you can quiz your reading comprehension skills.

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

"5 Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension" ( ThoughtCo )

ThoughtCo. recommends five tips to increase your reading comprehension ability, including reading with tools such as highlighters, and developing new vocabulary.

"How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips" (PrepScholar)

This blog post from PrepScholar provides ideas for improving your reading comprehension, from expanding your vocabulary to discussing texts with friends.

CrashCourse video: "Reading Assignments" (YouTube)

This CrashCourse video equips you with tools to read more effectively. It will help you determine how much material you need to read, and what strategies you can use to absorb what you read.

"Improving Reading Comprehension" ( Education Corner )

From a pre-reading survey through post-reading review, Education Corner  walks you through steps to improve reading comprehension.

Methods of In-text Annotation

"The Writing Process: Annotating a Text" (Hunter College)

This article from Hunter College’s Rockowitz Writing Center outlines how to take notes on a text and provides samples of annotation.

"How To Annotate Text While Reading" (YouTube)

This video from the SchoolHabits YouTube channel presents eleven annotation techniques you can use for better reading comprehension.

"5 Ways To Annotate Your Books" ( Book Riot )

This article from the Book Riot  blog highlights five efficient annotation methods that will save you time and protect your books from becoming cluttered with unnecessary markings.

"How Do You Annotate Your Books?" ( Epic Reads )

This post from Epic Reads highlights how different annotation methods work for different people, and showcases classic methods from sticky notes to keeping a reading notebook.

Students at every grade level can benefit from writing book reports, which sharpen critical reading skills. Here, we've aggregated sources to help you plan book report assignments and develop rubrics for written and oral book reports. You’ll also find alternative book report assessment ideas that move beyond the traditional formats.

Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write Book Reports

"Book Reports" ( Unique Teaching Resources )

These reading templates courtesy of Unique Teaching Resources make great visual aids for elementary school students writing their first book reports.

"Elementary Level Book Report Template" ( Teach Beside Me )

This   printable book report template from a teacher-turned-homeschooler is simple, classic, and effective. It asks basic questions, such as "who are the main characters?" and "how did you feel about the main characters?"

"Book Reports" ( ABC Teach )

ABC Teach ’s resource directory includes printables for book reports on various subjects at different grade levels, such as a middle school biography book report form and a "retelling a story" elementary book report template.

"Reading Worksheets" ( Busy Teacher's Cafe )

This page from Busy Teachers’ Cafe contains book report templates alongside reading comprehension and other language arts worksheets.

Teaching Middle School and High School Students How to Write Book Reports

"How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level" ( Fact Monster)

Fact Monster ’s Homework Center discusses each section of a book report, and explains how to evaluate and analyze books based on genre for students in middle and high school.

"Middle School Outline Template for Book Report" (Trinity Catholic School)

This PDF outline template breaks the book report down into manageable sections for seventh and eighth graders by asking for specific information in each paragraph.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( Classroom )

In this article for Classroom,  Elizabeth Thomas describes what content high schoolers should focus on when writing their book reports.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kori Morgan outlines techniques for adapting the book report assignment to the high school level in this post for The Pen & The Pad .

"High School Book Lists and Report Guidelines" (Highland Hall Waldorf School)

These sample report formats, grading paradigms, and tips are collected by Highland Hall Waldorf School. Attached are book lists by high school grade level.

Sample Rubrics

"Book Review Rubric Editable" (Teachers Pay Teachers)

This free resource from Teachers Pay Teachers allows you to edit your book report rubric to the specifications of your assignment and the grade level you teach.

"Book Review Rubric" (Winton Woods)

This PDF rubric from a city school district includes directions to take the assignment long-term, with follow-up exercises through school quarters.

"Multimedia Book Report Rubric" ( Midlink Magazine )

Perfect for oral book reports, this PDF rubric from North Carolina State University's Midlink Magazine  will help you evaluate your students’ spoken presentations.

Creative Book Report Assignments

"25 Book Report Alternatives" (Scholastic)

This article from the Scholastic website lists creative alternatives to the standard book report for pre-kindergarteners through high schoolers.

"Fresh Ideas for Creative Book Reports" ( Education World )

Education World offers nearly 50 alternative book report ideas in this article, from a book report sandwich to a character trait diagram.

"A Dozen Ways to Make Amazingly Creative Book Reports" ( We Are Teachers )

This post from We Are Teachers puts the spotlight on integrating visual arts into literary study through multimedia book report ideas.

"More Ideas Than You’ll Ever Use for Book Reports" (Teachnet.com)

This list from Teachnet.com includes over 300 ideas for book report assignments, from "interviewing" a character to preparing a travel brochure to the location in which the book is set.

"Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" (National Council of Teachers of English)

In this PDF resource from the NCTE's  English Journal,  Diana Mitchell offers assignment ideas ranging from character astrology signs to a character alphabet.

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A Beginner's Guide to Writing a Book Report (with Examples)

Last Updated: March 13, 2024 Fact Checked

• Researching
• Drafting the Report
• Reviewing & Revising

Sample Book Reports & Summaries

Expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,410,172 times.

A book report is a short essay that summarizes and analyzes a work of fiction or nonfiction. Writing a book report may not seem fun at first, but it gives you a great chance to fully understand a work and its author. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a book report, from choosing a book and outlining to drafting and editing your final paper.

Things You Should Know

• Read the entire book and take notes on important themes, characters, and events. Use your notes to create an outline with evidence that supports your analysis.
• Include the title and author in your intro, then summarize the plot, main characters, and setting of the book.
• Analyze the author’s writing style, as well as the main themes and arguments of the book. Include quotes and examples to support your statements.

Researching Your Book Report

• For example, find out if your teacher wants you to include citations, such as page numbers from the book, in your report.
• Ask your teacher how much of your paper to devote to summary versus analysis. Most book reports are direct summaries with objective analysis rather than your personal opinions. In contrast, a book review or commentary is more opinion-driven.

• Some popular books for book reports include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Choose a book at your grade level.

• Author: Who wrote the book? Do you know any other works by this author?
• Genre: Is the book fiction or nonfiction? If it’s fiction, is it historical, fantasy, horror, etc.? If it’s nonfiction, is it a biography, memoir, science, etc.?
• Audience: Who would find this book appealing? Is it intended for a specific age range or gender? Do you typically enjoy books like this?
• Title: Does the title catch your interest? Does it fit well with the book’s content?
• Book Cover/Illustrations: What does the book cover convey and does it accurately represent the book? How do you feel when you look at it? If the book has illustrations, what are they and do they hold your interest?

• Take breaks while reading to keep your attention sharp. Try to find a pace that is comfortable for you. If you get distracted after 15 minutes, read in 15-minute intervals. If you can go an hour, read for an hour at a time.
• Give yourself enough time to read the entire book. It’s very difficult to write a book report if you’ve just skimmed over everything. Don’t procrastinate!
• Don’t trust online book summaries. You can’t guarantee that they are accurate or true to the text.

• For example, look for a sentence that clearly describes a main setting in the book, such as “The castle was gloomy and made out of large black stones.”

Outlining Your Book Report

• Introduction: Introduce the title, author, and publication information. Include a brief overview of the book’s genre and main theme, and state your purpose for writing the report.
• Summary: Concisely summarize the plot or central idea, highlighting main events, characters, and conflicts. Focus on important aspects while avoiding spoilers.
• Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluate the author’s writing style and use of literary devices, like foreshadowing, metaphors, imagery, etc. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the book and use quotes and examples from the text.
• Themes and Messages: Identify the book’s main themes or messages and how they develop through the course of the book. Provide specific quotes and examples.
• Character Analysis: Analyze the main characters in the book, their development, and their relationships. Explain their motivations, personalities, and significance to the story. Provide examples and quotes to support your analysis.
• Personal Reflection: Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you might share your personal opinions and discuss what you liked and disliked about the book. Reflect on how the book relates to broader themes or issues.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and conclude with your final thoughts or reflections on the book.
• Bibliography: If required, include a works cited page or bibliography listing all the sources you used to write your book report.
• Outlining takes time, but it saves you more time once you reach the editing stage.
• Some people prefer to outline with pen and paper, while others just type up a list on the computer. Choose the method that works best for you.

• Be careful not to overuse quotes. If it seems like every other line is a quote, try to dial back. Aim to include a maximum of one quotation per paragraph. Quotes and examples should still take a backseat to your summary.

• For example, you’ll likely need to focus primarily on discussing the most important characters or the characters that appear most frequently in the text.
• When you are finished with your outline, go back through it to see if it makes sense. If the paragraphs don’t flow into one another, move them around or add/delete new ones until they do.
• Also, check to see if your outline covers all of the major elements of the book, such as the plot, characters, and setting.

Writing Your Book Report

• For example, a sentence summary might state, “This book is about the main character’s journey to Africa and what she learns on her travels.”
• Don’t take up too much space with your introduction. In general, an introduction should be 3-6 sentences long, though in rare cases, they may be longer or shorter.

• Use vivid language when you can and include plenty of details. For example, you might write, “The farm was surrounded by rolling hills.”

• For instance, if the main character moves to Africa, you might describe what happens before the move, how the move goes, and how they settle in once they arrive.

• For example, you might write that the main character is “a middle-aged woman who enjoys the finer things in life, such as designer clothes.” Then, connect this description to the plot summary by describing how her views change after her travels, if they do.
• Expect to introduce the characters in the same sentences and paragraphs as the plot introduction.

• You might write, “The author argues that travel gives you a new perspective. That is why her main characters all seem happier and more grounded after visiting new places.”
• For fiction, determine if the author is using the story to pass along a certain moral or lesson. For example, a book about an underdog athlete could encourage readers to take chances to pursue their dreams.

• For example, an author who uses lots of slang terms is probably going for a hip, approachable style.

• Some teachers require, or strongly suggest, that you include the author’s name and the book title in your concluding paragraph.
• When writing a conclusion , don’t introduce any new thoughts. Any important points should be made in your body paragraphs. Save the space for your recap.

Reviewing and Revising Your Book Report

• Before you submit your paper, make sure that you’ve spelled the author’s name and any character names correctly.
• Don’t trust your computer’s spell check to catch all the errors for you. Spell check can be helpful, but it isn’t perfect and can make mistakes.

• If you’re nervous about asking, try saying something like “It would be great if you could go over my book report and make sure that it reads smoothly.”
• Remember, no one’s first draft is perfect, so don’t get upset if someone suggests you do something differently. They want to help make your report the best it can be, so don’t take constructive criticism personally.

• For example, double-check that you are using the correct font, font size, and margins.
• Once you've finished proofreading, revising, and checking that you've addressed all the requirements, you're ready to submit your book report!

• Even though your book report is your own work, avoid using “I” too much. It can make your writing feel choppy. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It might be tempting to watch the movie or read the online notes instead of reading the book. Resist this urge! Your teacher will be able to tell the difference. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Calm down and walk around if you get too frustrated while writing. If you write a book report while angry, you're more likely to misspell things!
• Choose a unique book. Harry Potter or Percy Jackson is an absolute no. Everyone chooses those. Try something different!
• Write when anything comes to mind! You don't want to lose your ideas!

• Give yourself plenty of time to write your report. Don’t wait until the last minute or you may feel rushed. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Stealing or using another person’s work is considered plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Make sure that the work you submit is all your own. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-book-report.html
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://grammark.org/how-to-write-a-book-report/
• ↑ https://library.valleycollege.edu/elements_of_book_report.pdf
• ↑ https://takelessons.com/blog/steps-to-writing-a-book-report
• ↑ https://www.infoplease.com/homework-help/homework-center-writing-book-report
• ↑ https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-setting
• ↑ https://www.tcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/writing-center-handouts/essay-types-plot-summary.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

To write a book report, start by introducing the author and the name of the book and then briefly summarizing the story. Next, discuss the main themes and point out what you think the author is trying to suggest to the reader. Finally, write about the author’s style of writing, paying particular attention to word choice and the overall tone of the book. For tips on editing and polishing your paper before turning it in, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Book Report (+ Book Report Example) 

Download for free, specific tips for writing effective book reports..

Write better book reports using the tips, examples, and outlines presented here. This resource covers three types of effective book reports: plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. It also features a specific book report example for students.

How to write a book report (+ book report example) 

Whether you're a student looking to show your comprehension of a novel, or simply a book lover wanting to share your thoughts, writing a book report can be a rewarding experience. This guide, filled with tips, tricks, and a book report example, will help you craft a report that effectively communicates your understanding and analysis of your chosen book.

Looking for a printable resource on book reports? See our Printable Book Report Outlines and Examples

What is a book report? 

Book reports can take on many different forms. Writing a book review helps you practice giving your opinion about different aspects of a book, such as an author's use of description or dialogue.

You can write book reports of any type, from fiction to non-fiction research papers, or essay writing; however, there are a few basic elements you need to include to convey why the book you read was interesting when writing a good book report.

Types of book reports 

Three types of effective book reports are plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. Each type focuses on different aspects of the book and requires a unique approach. These three types of book reports will help you demonstrate your understanding of the book in different ways.

Plot summary

When you are writing a plot summary for your book report you don't want to simply summarize the story. You need to explain what your opinion is of the story and why you feel the plot is so compelling, unrealistic, or sappy. It is the way you analyze the plot that will make this a good report. Make sure that you use plenty of examples from the book to support your opinions.

Try starting the report with a sentence similar to the following:

The plot of I Married a Sea Captain , by Monica Hubbard, is interesting because it gives the reader a realistic sense of what it was like to be the wife of a whaling captain and live on Nantucket during the 19th century.

Character analysis

If you choose to write a character analysis, you can explore the physical and personality traits of different characters and the way their actions affect the plot of the book.

• Explore the way a character dresses and what impression that leaves with the reader.
• What positive characteristics does the character possess?
• Does the character have a "fatal flaw" that gets him/her into trouble frequently?
• Try taking examples of dialogue and analyzing the way a character speaks. Discuss the words he/she chooses and the way his/her words affect other characters.
• Finally, tie all of your observations together by explaining the way the characters make the plot move forward.

In the novel Charlotte's Web , by E. B. White, Templeton the rat may seem like an unnecessary character but his constant quest for food moves the plot forward in many ways.

Theme analyses

Exploring the themes (or big ideas that run throughout the story) in a book can be a great way to write a book report because picking a theme that you care about can make the report easier to write. Try bringing some of your thoughts and feelings as a reader into the report as a way to show the power of a theme. Before you discuss your own thoughts, however, be sure to establish what the theme is and how it appears in the story.

• Explain  exactly  what theme you will be exploring in your book report.
• Use as many examples and quotations from the book as possible to prove that the theme is important to the story.
• Make sure that you talk about each example or quotation you've included. Make a direct connection between the theme and the example from the book.
• After you have established the theme and thoroughly examined the way it affects the book, include a few sentences about the impact the theme had upon you and why it made the book more or less enjoyable to read.

In the novel Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry , by Mildred Taylor, the theme of racial prejudice is a major catalyst in the story.

How to write a book report

1. Thoroughly read the book

Immerse yourself in the book, taking the time to read it in its entirety. As you read, jot down notes on important aspects such as key points, themes, and character developments.

2. Identify the main elements of the book

Scrutinize the book's primary components, including its main themes, characters, setting, and plot. These elements will form the basis of your report.

3. Formulate a thesis statement

Compose a thesis statement that encapsulates your personal perspective about the book. This should be a concise statement that will guide your analysis and give your report a clear focus.

4. Create a detailed outline

Plan the structure of your book report. This outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs each focusing on a different aspect of the book, and a conclusion.

5. Craft the introduction

The introduction should provide basic information such as the book's title and author, and present your thesis statement. It should engage the reader and make them interested in your analysis.

6. Write the body of the report

In the body of your report, discuss in detail the book's main elements that you identified in step 3. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and to prove your thesis statement.

7. Write a strong conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize your analysis, reaffirm your thesis, and provide a closing thought or reflection on the overall book.

8. Review and edit your report

After writing, take the time to revise your report for clarity and coherence. Check for and correct any grammar or spelling errors. Ensure that your report clearly communicates your understanding and analysis of the book.

9. Include citations

If you have used direct quotes or specific ideas from the book, make sure to include proper citations . This is crucial in academic writing and helps avoid plagiarism.

10. Proofread

Finally, proofread your work. Look for any missed errors and make sure that the report is the best it can be before submitting it.

Book report example 

Below is a book report example on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

In  To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee presents a thoughtful exploration of racial prejudice, morality, and the loss of innocence. Set in the small, fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, the book centers around the Finch family - young Scout, her older brother Jem, and their widowed father, Atticus. Scout's character provides a fresh perspective as she narrates her experiences and observations of the unjust racial prejudice in her town. Her honesty and curiosity, coupled with her father's teachings, allow her to grow from innocence to a more profound understanding of her society's inequalities. The plot revolves around Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer, defending a black man, Tom Robinson, unjustly accused of raping a white woman. As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Robinson is innocent, and the accusation was a product of racial prejudice. Despite compelling evidence in Robinson's favor, he is convicted, symbolizing the power of bias over truth. The theme of racial prejudice is a significant part of the book. Lee uses the trial and its unjust outcome to critique the racial prejudice prevalent in society. For example, despite Atticus's solid defense, the jury's racial bias leads them to find Robinson guilty. This instance highlights how deeply ingrained prejudice can subvert justice. The book also explores the theme of the loss of innocence. Scout and Jem's experiences with prejudice and injustice lead to their loss of innocence and a better understanding of the world's complexities. For example, Scout's realization of her town's unfair treatment of Robinson demonstrates her loss of innocence and her understanding of societal biases. Overall,  To Kill a Mockingbird  is a compelling exploration of the harsh realities of prejudice and the loss of innocence. Harper Lee's intricate characters and vivid storytelling have made this book a classic.

The above is an excellent book report example for several reasons. First, it provides a clear, concise summary of the plot without giving away the entire story. Second, it analyzes the main characters, their roles, and their impacts on the story. Third, it discusses the major themes of the book - racial prejudice and loss of innocence - and supports these themes with evidence from the text. Finally, it presents a personal perspective on the book's impact and overall message, demonstrating a deep understanding of the book's significance.

Book report checklist

Always  include the following elements in any book report:

• The type of book report you are writing
• The book's title
• The author of the book
• The time when the story takes place
• The location where the story takes place
• The names and a  brief  description of each of the characters you will be discussing
• Many quotations and examples from the book to support your opinions
• A thesis statement
• The point of view of the narrator
• Summary of the book
• The main points or themes discussed in the work of fiction or non-fiction
• The first paragraph (introductory paragraph), body paragraphs, and final paragraph
• The writing styles of the author
• A critical analysis of the fiction or non-fiction book

Don't forget! 

No matter what type of book report you decide to write, ensure it includes basic information about the main characters, and make sure that your writing is clear and expressive so that it’s easy for audiences in middle school, high school, college-level, or any grade level to understand. Also, include examples from the book to support your opinions. Afterward, conduct thorough proofreading to complete the writing process. Book reports may seem disconnected from your other schoolwork, but they help you learn to summarize, compare and contrast, make predictions and connections, and consider different perspectives & skills you'll need throughout your life.

Looking for more writing resources? You can find them in our creative writing center .

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How to write a book report

A book report is one of the first types of essays you probably learned to write in elementary school. But no matter how many book reports you turn in over the course of your student life, they can still inspire some anxiety and some confusion about the best way to write a book report, especially as you reach the high school and college level.

The good news is that the basics you learned in the early grades will serve you in good stead, since the book report format remains mostly the same. The very same structure and tools you used to dissect Charlotte’s Web and Superfudge will work just as well for Animal Farm and The Handmaid’s Tale . What changes is the depth and breadth of your analysis as a high school and college student.

So, If you are wondering how to start a book report for a college class assignment, here are some of the key pieces of information you need to know.

What is a book report?

Let’s start off with some definitions. In the most general terms, a book report is a summary of a written text, often a fiction novel, but can also include other genres such as memoir and creative non-fiction. It includes an analysis of the different elements and authorial choices that comprise the work, such as tone, theme, perspective, diction, dialogue, etc.

While the analysis should be reasoned and objective, it should also include your opinion and assessment of the impact and overall success of the author’s choices on the final work.

Book reports usually fall into one of the following types:

Plot summary

This type of book report isn’t just a re-telling of the story, it’s a comment on your overall impression of the plot — whether you thought it was engaging or maudlin or vapid, for example — backed up by direct quotes from the text to support your opinion.

Example of a plot summary thesis statement: The plot of Herman Melville’s short story, “Bartleby the Scrivener,” offers a poignant portrait of how depression robs a person of all motivation and momentum in life.

Character analysis

A character analysis zeroes in on a particular character (their characterization and actions) and their impact on the unfolding of the plot and its eventual outcome.

Example of a character analysis thesis statement: In J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye , the character of Phoebe, Holden’s bright and precocious younger sister, is a catalyst for rekindling his hope in humanity and reconsidering the choices he’s made in his life.

Theme analysis

A theme analysis looks at the overarching concepts, or themes, that run through a book and that give the text meaning and direction. Themes tend to be broad in nature, such as love, the importance of family, the impact of childhood, etc.

Example of a theme analysis thesis statement: Banana Yoshimoto’s novella, Kitchen , explores the theme of death and how everyone sooner or later has to come to terms with the mortality of the people they love as well as their own.

How to start a book report

The very first step in writing a stellar book report that earns a top grade is actually reading the book. This may seem obvious, but many students make the assignment much harder on themselves by not putting in the time up front to do a thorough and complete reading of the book they’re going to be writing their report on. So resist the urge to skim the text or to rely on the Cliff’s notes version. A nuanced analysis requires a deep grasp of the text, and there is no substitute for focused, firsthand reading.

It’s a lot easier to stick with a book that you enjoy reading! If you have the chance to choose the book you’ll be writing a report on, take some time to select a book that appeals to you, considering the genre, time period, writing style, and plot.

It can be helpful to start thinking about your book report while you are still making your way through your initial reading of the text. Mark down passages that provide key turning points in the action, descriptive passages that establish time and place, and any other passages that stand out to you in terms of their word choice and use of language. This makes it much easier to go back later and start collecting the evidence you’ll need to support your argument and analysis.

Once you finish reading the book from cover to cover, you’ll likely find that your mind is swirling with thoughts, impressions, and burgeoning analyses. At this stage, trying to distill all of these half-formed thoughts into one cohesive report may seem like a daunting task. One way to make this task more approachable is to start by collecting and listing the objective facts about the book. The following list covers the basic elements that should be included in every book report you write, no matter what topic or specific type of book report you’re writing:

• The book’s title and author
• The historical context of the book (when it was written)
• The time(s) during which the story is set
• The location(s) where the story takes place
• A summary of the main characters and action of the story
• Quotes from the book that will function as evidence to support your analysis

With all of the basics in hand, you can start to write your book report in earnest. Just like most other essay types, a well-written book report follows a basic structure that makes it easy for your reader to follow your thoughts and make sense of your argument.

A typical book report will open with an introduction that briefly summarizes the book and culminates with a thesis statement that advances an opinion or viewpoint about it. This is followed by body paragraphs that provide detailed points to flesh out and support that opinion in greater detail, including direct quotes from the text as supporting evidence. The report finishes with a conclusion that summarizes the main points and leaves the reader with an understanding of the book, its aims, and whether or not you feel the book (and its author) was successful in doing what it set out to do. Ideally, the conclusion will also make a statement about how the book fits into the larger literary world.

A book report template you can use for any book report

If you find yourself stuck on how to start a book report, here’s a handy book report template you can use to get things off the ground. Simply use this structure and start filling it in with the specifics of the book you are writing your report on. Feel free to expand upon this book report template, adding more sections as appropriate.

Introduction

Write three to five sentences introducing the book and author as well as important contextual information about the book, such as the publication year and the overall critical reception at the time. Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.

Body paragraphs

Include at least three body paragraphs that offer detailed information and analysis to support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should contain one idea, backed up with direct quotes from the text alongside your critical analysis.

Write three to five sentences that restate your thesis and summarize the evidence you’ve presented in support of it. Relate your findings to a larger context about the book’s place within both the literary world and the world at large.

Frequently Asked Questions about book reports

A book report follows the format of most papers you write - it will have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Depending on the type of book report, you will fill these parts with the required information.

These are the basic parts that should be included in every book report you write, no matter what topic or specific type of book report you’re writing:

• The historical context of the book and time(s) during which the story is set

The book report is, among other things, also a summary of the plot, main characters, and ideas and arguments of the author. Your book report should help readers decide whether they want to read the book or not.

How many pages a book report should have depends on your assignment. It can be a half page, but it can also have many pages. Make sure to carefully read through your assignment and ask your professor if you are unsure .

A book report is a summary of a written text. A good book report includes an analysis of the different elements and authorial choices that comprise the work, such as tone, theme, perspective, diction, dialogue, etc. A good book report helps the reader decide whether they want to read the book or not.

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Book Report Writing

Book Report Outline

Guide to Crafting an Outstanding Book Report Outline

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Creative and Excellent Book Report Ideas for Students

Are you struggling to write a compelling book report that will impress your teacher and earn you that coveted 'A'?

You're not alone.

Many college students struggle with the complexities of writing book report , unsure of where to start and how to structure their reports effectively. The pressure is on to get it right and showcase a deep understanding of the book's content.

But fear not!

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through each step of the report writing process. We will provide you with the book report templates, and expert tips you need to create a flawless book report outline.

Let's dive in!

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• 1. How to Write an Outline for a Book Report?
• 2. Book Report Outline Examples 

How to Write an Outline for a Book Report?

Creating an outline for your book report is the foundation for a well-structured and organized analysis. It's your roadmap to ensure you cover all the essential elements and present your insights effectively.

Let's break down the process step by step:

Start with the Basics

Begin by noting down the fundamental details: the book's title, author, publication date, and any relevant background information about the author or the book's context.

Example: For instance, if you're writing a book review for "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, you'd include the author's name and a brief mention of the book's setting in the American South during the 1930s.

If you are looking for ideas for your next book report, check out our book report ideas blog!

Introduction

A strong introduction is crucial to avoid boring your instructor and secure higher grades in your book report title page. An effective opening paragraph should include:

• Title of the book
• Author's basic information
• Number of pages
• Year of publication
• Type and genre of the book
• Brief introduction to the book
• Details about the publishing house and publication date
• Any accolades received by the book
• An engaging thesis statement

Moreover, the introduction is an excellent opportunity to captivate the reader's interest by sharing unusual facts about the book or the author. 

Every book has a unique backstory and thought process behind it. Your role as a writer is to uncover and explain how these factors shaped the book's narrative.

Book Summary

The summary of the book includes a broad overview of the book and its plot. In addition, it details the main theme and story, important points of the narrative, setting, and the whole story at large.

If you have read the book carefully, you could work on this part of writing the book report process effectively.

This is the fleshy part of your report. Being the main body, it should include the main part and important elements of the literary work that you are writing your book report about.

Each paragraph contemplates an idea or main theme and plot that includes:

• The main theme, or themes that you will focus on
• Include quotes and examples from the book to emphasize your point
• Fatal flaws of the main character of the book and its impact on the story and life of other characters
• Commentary on the writing style of the writer

If you read the book carefully, you may come across a number of other themes, make notes of them and explain them briefly in your book report.

Analyze the Themes

Discuss the book's central themes or ideas. What messages or lessons is the author trying to convey?

Example: In the case of "To Kill a Mockingbird," you might explore themes such as racial prejudice, moral growth, and the loss of innocence.

Character Development

Analyze how the characters evolve throughout the story. Are there notable changes or developments in their personalities, beliefs, or relationships?

Example: Scout's growth from a naïve child to someone who understands the complexities of her society is a significant aspect of character development in the book.

Plot Details

Delve deeper into the plot by providing key details about significant events and major plot twists. Highlight moments that drive the story forward.

Example: In "To Kill a Mockingbird," pivotal plot details include the trial of Tom Robinson and the revelation of Boo Radley's true nature.

Concluding Paragraph

In the final section of the book report outline,you bring everything together. This is where you provide a succinct summary of the entire book and present distinctive critique. 

• Evaluate the book's strengths and weaknesses
• Restate your thesis statement
• Share the insights gained from it
• Discuss its personal impact
• Substantiate your observations with examples from the book. 

Lastly, provide a brief personal perspective on the book and your recommendation for potential readers.

Editing and Revision

The process of writing a book report should be reviewed to ensure its quality. Having someone else review your work will help you identify typos and grammatical errors. This will free up your time to focus on other aspects of the editing process.

Book Report Outline Template

Once you are done with your outline, it's time to start writing. 

The format for book reports includes everything from how to write a great introduction and conclusion all the way down into the details of what goes inside them!

Book Report Outline Examples 

To illustrate the principles of how to make a book report outline, we've compiled a few book report outline pdfs. Feel free to use these examples as a starting point for your own book reports.

Here is the third grade book report outline examples for starters:

Book Report Outline 4th Grade

Book Report Outline 5th Grade

Here are some more examples for Middle School Book Report Outline:

Book Report Outline 6th Grade

Book Report Outline 7th Grade

Book Report Outline 8th Grade

Need book reports for high school and college? Give a read to these examples:

Book Report Outline High School

Basic Book Report Outline College

Biography Book Report Outline

Nonfiction Book Report Outline

All in all, creating a book report outline is a simple task, especially with all the details that we have provided above; it becomes even easier. 

Still, if you need further help writing a book report, feel free to contact MyPerfectWords.com .

We have qualified and professional writers who provide exceptional ' write my book report ' services. Our experts can help you craft a custom book report for any book and any academic level. 

Just say ' help me write my essay ' and our experts will get to it in no time!

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Writing a Book Report

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This resource discusses book reports and how to write them.

Book reports are informative reports that discuss a book from an objective stance. They are similar to book reviews but focus more on a summary of the work than an evaluation of it. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, thesis, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words.

Book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. If you are looking to write a book review instead of a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Review .

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider what types of things you will need to write your book report. First, you will need to get some basic information from the book:

• Publisher location, name of publisher, year published
• Number of Pages

You can either begin your report with some sort of citation, or you can incorporate some of these items into the report itself.

Next, try to answer the following questions to get you started thinking about the book:

• Author: Who is the author? Have you read any other works by this author?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, biography, etc.? What types of people would like to read this kind of book? Do you typically read these kinds of books? Do you like them?
• Title: What does the title do for you? Does it spark your interest? Does it fit well with the text of the book?
• Pictures/Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: What does the book jacket or book cover say? Is it accurate? Were you excited to read this book because of it? Are there pictures? What kinds are there? Are they interesting?

As You Read

While reading a work of fiction, keep track of the major characters. You can also do the same with biographies. When reading nonfiction works, however, look for the main ideas and be ready to talk about them.

• Characters: Who are the main characters? What happens to them? Did you like them? Were there good and bad characters?
• Main Ideas: What is the main idea of the book? What happens? What did you learn that you did not know before?
• Quotes: What parts did you like best? Are there parts that you could quote to make your report more enjoyable?

When You Are Ready to Write

Announce the book and author. Then, summarize what you have learned from the book. Explain what happens in the book, and discuss the elements you liked, did not like, would have changed, or if you would recommend this book to others and why. Consider the following items as well:

• Principles/characters: What elements did you like best? Which characters did you like best and why? How does the author unfold the story or the main idea of the book?
• Organize: Make sure that most of your paper summarizes the work. Then you may analyze the characters or themes of the work.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Recommend: Would you recommend this book to others? Why? What would you tell them before they read it? What would you talk about after you read it?

Revising/Final Copy

Do a quick double check of your paper:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Check the punctuation and grammar slowly.
• Make sure you provide enough summary so that your reader or instructor can tell you read the book.
• Consider adding some interesting quotes from the reading.

How to Write a Book Report in APA Format

Allene e swienckowski.

APA refers to the American Psychological Association, and the format is used typically to cite scholarly papers in the social sciences. Like most formal paper written for a class, APA format requires that the paper be written on standard sized paper in 10-12 point font, Times New Roman preferred with once-inch margins on all sides.

Explore this article

• Create a page header
• Create a title page for your book report
• Tell the book
• Create a Title page

things needed

1 apa format, 2 create a page header.

Create a page header. To make a page header, the page numbers should appear at the very top right of the page and the name of the paper or the title of your paper should start on the first line to the very left of the page. In most scholarly papers, the APA format would require you to create four major sections for your report: the Title Page, The Abstract, The Main Body and the References. The APA for mat for a book report would follow the same physical appearance of a scholarly paper but the sections of the report would differ.

3 Create a title page for your book report

The Fiction Book Report Create a title page for your book report. Write the name of the book, underlined, on the left hand side of the page and on the following line on the left give the name of the author of the book. The next page will again begin with the page header, and then list the publication information about the book, such as the name of the publisher, the year the book was published and the number of pages in the book, all on separate lines on the left hand side of the page. The next page will give the genre of the book followed by a brief introduction about the book, usually one to two pages long.

4 Tell the book

Body of a Fiction Book Report Tell what the book is about. Give information about the setting, who is telling the story, who is the protagonist or antagonist and the other major characters in the book. It is also important to say what tone the author conveyed in the story. You should give a plot summary, the climax and the plot resolution and or any literary devices used in the novel. List your impressions about the book. Write a strong conclusions.

5 Create a Title page

The Non-Fiction Book Report Create a Title page for the non-fiction book report and follow the above instructions. Give a general overview of the topic, the main points and the main argument of the author. State the thesis. Give the important conclusions of the book. Analyze and evaluate the book by answering these questions. Did the author prove her thesis? Why or why not? What effect did the author’s writing have on the reader? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book? Finish by giving your overall response to the book. Write a convincing conclusion to your report that highlights the introduction and body of your report.

• 1 The Owl at Purdue

About the Author

Allene E. Linden Swienckowski's articles have appeared in OpenSalon.com and Allvoices.com for two years. Swienckowski contributed to Suite101.com, the "LA Times/ Sunday Magazine," "Pasadena Star News," and "The Village Voice." Ms. Swienckowski attended UCLA, USC and Cal State University at Los Angeles.

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10.7 Body of the report

The body of the report is of course the main text of the report, the sections between the introduction and conclusion. Illustrated below are sample pages.

In all but the shortest reports (two pages or less), use headings to mark off the different topics and subtopics covered. Headings are the titles and subtitles you see within the actual text of much professional scientific, technical, and business writing. Headings are like the parts of an outline that have been pasted into the actual pages of the document.

Headings are an important feature of professional technical writing: they alert readers to upcoming topics and subtopics, help readers find their way around in long reports and skip what they are not interested in, and break up long stretches of straight text.

Headings are also useful for writers. They keep you organized and focused on the topic. When you begin using headings, your impulse may be to slap in the headings after you’ve written the rough draft. Instead, visualize the headings before you start the rough draft, and plug them in as you write.

Your task in this chapter is to learn how to use headings and to learn the style and format of a specific design of headings. Here are a number of helpful tips:

• Make the phrasing of headings self-explanatory: instead of “Background” or “Technical Information,” make it more specific, such as “Physics of Fiber Optics.”
• Make headings indicate the range of topic coverage in the section. For example, if the section covers the design and operation of a pressurized water reactor, the heading “Pressurized Water Reactor Design” would be incomplete and misleading.
• Avoid “stacked” headings—any two consecutive headings without intervening text.
• Avoid pronoun reference to headings. For example, if you have a heading “Torque,” don’t begin the sentence following it with something like this: “This is a physics principle…..”
• When possible, omit articles from the beginning of headings. For example, “The Pressurized Water Reactor” can easily be changed to “Pressurized Water Reactor” or, better yet, “Pressurized Water Reactors.”
• Don’t use headings as lead-ins to lists or as figure titles.
• Avoid “widowed” headings: that’s where a heading occurs at the bottom of a page and the text it introduces starts at the top of the next page. Keep at least two lines of body text with the heading, or force it to start the new page.

If you manually format each individual heading using the guidelines presented in the preceding list, you’ll find you’re doing quite a lot of repetitive work. The styles provided by Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer, and other software save you this work. You simply select Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, and so on. You’ll notice the format and style are different from what is presented here. However, you can design your own styles for headings.

Bulleted and numbered lists

In the body of a report, also use bulleted, numbered, and two-column lists where appropriate. Lists help by emphasizing key points, by making information easier to follow, and by breaking up solid walls of text. Always introduce the list so that your audience understand the purpose and context of the list. Whenever practical, provide a follow-up comment, too. Here are some additional tips:

• Use lists to highlight or emphasize text or to enumerate sequential items.
• Use a lead-in to introduce the list items and to indicate the meaning or purpose of the list (and punctuate it with a colon).
• Use consistent spacing, indentation, punctuation, and caps style for all lists in a document.
• Make list items parallel in phrasing.
• Make sure that each item in the list reads grammatically with the lead-in.
• Avoid using headings as lead-ins for lists.
• Avoid overusing lists; using too many lists destroys their effectiveness.
• Use similar types of lists consistently in similar text in the same document.

Following up a list with text helps your reader understand context for the information distilled into list form. The tips above provide a practical guide to formatting lists.

Graphics and figure titles

In technical report, you are likely to need drawings, diagrams, tables, and charts. These not only convey certain kinds of information more efficiently but also give your report an added look of professionalism and authority. If you’ve never put these kinds of graphics into a report, there are some relatively easy ways to do so—you don’t need to be a professional graphic artist. For strategies for adding graphics and tables to reports, see the chapter on Creating and Using Visuals. See the chapter on visuals for more help with the principles for creating visuals.

Conclusions

For most reports, you will need to include a final section. When you plan the final section of your report, think about the functions it can perform in relation to the rest of the report. A conclusion does not necessarily just summarize a report. Instead, use the conclusion to explain the most significant findings you made in relation to your report topic.

Appendixes are those extra sections following the conclusion. What do you put in appendixes? Anything that does not comfortably fit in the main part of the report but cannot be left out of the report altogether. The appendix is commonly used for large tables of data, big chunks of sample code, fold-out maps, background that is too basic or too advanced for the body of the report, or large illustrations that just do not fit in the body of the report. Anything that you feel is too large for the main part of the report or that you think would be distracting and interrupt the flow of the report is a good candidate for an appendix. Notice that each one is given a letter (A, B, C, and so on).

Information sources

Documenting your information sources is all about establishing, maintaining, and protecting your credibility in the profession. You must cite (“document”) borrowed information regardless of the shape or form in which you present it. Whether you directly quote it, paraphrase it, or summarize it—it’s still borrowed information. Whether it comes from a book, article, a diagram, a table, a web page, a product brochure, an expert whom you interview in person—it’s still borrowed information.

Documentation systems vary according to professionals and fields. For a technical writing class in college, you may be using either MLA or APA style. Engineers use the IEEE system, examples of which are shown throughout this chapter. Another commonly used documentation system is provided by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Page numbering

Page-numbering style used in traditional report design differs from contemporary report design primarily in the former’s use of lowercase roman numerals in front matter (everything before the introduction).

• All pages in the report (within but excluding the front and back covers) are numbered; but on some pages, the numbers are not displayed.
• In the contemporary design, all pages throughout the document use arabic numerals; in the traditional design, all pages before the introduction (first page of the body of the report) use lowercase roman numerals.
• On special pages, such as the title page and page one of the introduction, page numbers are not displayed.
• Page numbers can be placed in one of several areas on the page. Usually, the best and easiest choice is to place page numbers at the bottom center of the page (remember to hide them on special pages).
• If you place page numbers at the top of the page, you must hide them on chapter or section openers where a heading or title is at the top of the page.

Chapter Attribution Information

This chapter was derived by Annemarie Hamlin, Chris Rubio, and Michele DeSilva, Central Oregon Community College, from  Online Technical Writing by David McMurrey – CC: BY 4.0

Technical Writing Copyright © 2017 by Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• 1. Book Report Projects
• 2. Projects For Novels & Picture Books
• 3. Seasons & Holidays
• 4. Powerpoint
• 6. Sticker Charts

Main Character Body Book Report Project

Assembled Project Size:   Width = 18+ inches   Height = 18+ inches

Your students will love designing large character body projects about the characters found in their books.

This project is also ideal for a biography book report about a famous person.

You can read more detailed information about this resource by clicking ==>  HERE .

A Note About Your Purchase:  You will be emailed a download link for the resource(s) that you purchase so that you can download, save, print, and use the resource(s)  today!

A very DETAILED description about this resource set is provided below.

Main character body book report project templates:, what's included.

Above: Roald Dahl Book Report Projects

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the BFG Main Character Body

Main Character Body Book Report Projects: Your students will love creating large visual images of the main characters of their books for this creative book report project idea!

The writing templates and graphic organizers that I have designed fit inside on the character's shirt and outside on the character's vest, arms, pants, or skirt.

This main character book report project will provide you with all of the teaching resources that you need for your students to write about the main characters of their books. The only additional material required to complete this project is construction paper.

Traditionally, requiring students to write about the main characters of their books is a task that most students find quite boring. By using these body shaped book report templates , your students will be enthusiastic about writing how their characters have changed or learned an important lesson during the main events of their books.

This is a picture of a bulletin board display in my classroom  featuring my students' main character book report projects.

You will be amazed at some of the creative ideas that your students come up with as they are individualizing their projects to represent their character's appearance, personality, and interests.

For our Roald Dahl Day celebration, this student dressed up as  Willy Wonka  (from  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and designed a character book report project about him.

This student dressed up as  Charlie Bucket  from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  He is holding his project so that you can see how the character's vest opens to  reveal the writing sections.

This student has designed her Matilda (author Roald Dahl) book report project  to have the same dress and fabric as the dress that she is wearing!

This main character project contains directions on how to fold a piece of construction paper into a body shape.

The character's body has a vest that opens up to show the shirt area, where students glue their longer writing sections (see the Charlie Bucket example above).

The final draft worksheet templates that are provided fit inside the shirt area, outside on the vest , and the 10 adjective descriptions are glued on the outside of the character's body.

It is impossible to tell you the measurements of this book report project because each student designs their own head, hands, legs, and feet for their characters.

Without the additional body parts, the main part of this project measures 18 inches in width and 12 inches in height. Students then add the head, hands, legs, and feet to this main body section.

Everything that you need to complete these character body book report projects is included in this set of teaching resources. Your students will need scissors, glue, tape, coloring pencils, and construction paper to complete these projects.

For the main body section of this book report project, each student will need a piece of construction paper that measures 12 inches x 18 inches. Students will also need construction paper to make the character's head, hands, and feet . In addition, my students often bring in yarn and fabric from home for their character's hair and clothes.

This student dressed up as Violet Beauregarde from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

She's used a "pink/violet" color for her character's clothes AND her own clothes AND hair!

These finished character body book report projects will make a colorful and dynamic bulletin board display of your students' work.

There are 10 printable worksheets and template pages in this set of teaching resources, as well as a 5 page color bulletin board display banner.

In addition, I have designed a set of letter writing stationery and a matching bulletin board display banner that is included for free in this set of reading resources. You can use this stationery set so that your students can write a letter to their main characters when they have finished their character body book report projects.

Note :  Due to spelling differences in English (Examples: color/colour and favorite/favourite), there are two separate sets of  worksheets and templates included in this set of teaching resources.

You can select the version ( U.S. or U.K. spelling rules) that contains the spelling that is used in the country where you live. 

The worksheets and templates that are shown on this page use  U.S. spelling rules .

Assembling Directions:

This set of teaching resources includes 3 pages of detailed assembling directions on how to assemble this main character body book report project.

Below is a sample of the assembling directions worksheets. I have only shown the first step and the last step of the directions in the sample below. T he actual directions worksheets (not shown) are split up into 8 steps and there are graphical images provided for each step.

The picture examples on the actual assembling directions worksheets demonstrate exactly how, in 8 steps, to cut and fold the construction paper to form a character body that has a vest that opens.

These directions also show how to design a male character that is wearing pants or a female character that is wearing a skirt.

Grading Rubric:

A book report grading rubric is included in this set of teaching resources. I believe that it is important for students to evaluate their own work, so my book report rubric contains an assessment section for both students and teachers .

When students evaluate their book report projects, they color in the faces on their grading rubric worksheets. When a teacher evaluates the projects, the teacher circles the small numbers inside each box on the printable worksheets.

Below is an example of my character body book report grading rubric.

First Draft Worksheets:

I believe that the writing process is important and that teachers should use process writing whenever possible.

For this reason, my students never begin their book report projects by writing on their final draft character body templates, instead they write on first draft worksheets . Next, my students edit and revise their written work on their own, with a partner, or in individual writing conferences with me.

This main character body book report project is designed so that each writing section is glued onto the shirt and vest area of the character's body.

The creative writing topics for this  character body book report project include:

• Outside Vest Pocket: Title, Author, Genre, Name, and Date
• Inside Middle of Shirt: If I Met _________ (Describe why you would like to meet this character from your book. What activity would you like to do with this character if you met him or her? Try to think of something that this character would be interested in doing based on what you learned about him/her from the book.)
• Inside Left Area of Shirt: At the Beginning of the Book (Describe what your character was like at the beginning of the book. What problem, or challenge, did this character have to solve?)
• Inside Right Area of Shirt: At the End of the Book (Describe what your character was like at the end of the book. How did this character change after he/she solved his/her problem or challenge? What valuable lesson did your character learn at the end of the book?)
• Adjectives: Students write 10 descriptive adjectives about their character and glue them on the outside of the character's body.

Character Body First Draft Worksheets:

This set of teaching resources contains 3 printable worksheets for students to write their first drafts on.

On my first draft worksheets, I have designed the writing line spaces to match the spaces allotted on the final draft character body book report templates.

Character Body Final Draft Templates:

This book report project contains 3 worksheets that contain writing templates that are cut out and then glued onto the main character's body.

Worksheet #1: Inside Middle of Shirt

If I Met _________

• Describe why you would like to meet this character from your book.
• What activity would you like to do with this character if you met him or her?
• Try to think of something that this character would be interested in doing based on what you learned about him/her from the book.

Worksheet #2: Inside Left and Right Areas of Shirt

At the Beginning of the Book

• Describe what your character was like at the beginning of the book.
• What problem, or challenge, did this character have to solve?

At the End of the Book

• Describe what your character was like at the end of the book.
• How did this character change after he/she solved his/her problem or challenge?
• What valuable lesson did your character learn at the end of the book?

Worksheet #3: Outside Vest Pocket and Adjective Text Boxes

• Pocket: Character's Name, Title, Author, and Genre
• Student Information: Name and Date
• Adjective Boxes: Students write 10 descriptive adjectives about their character and glue them on the outside of the character's body.

Free 5 Page Bulletin Board Display Banner:

I know that it takes teachers a lot of time to design and assemble their classroom bulletin board displays.

Many teachers spend their valuable time cutting out large display letters or making a banner at home on their own computers.

In order to help save you time in assembling a bulletin board display featuring your students' character body book report projects, I have designed a 5 page banner that is included for free in this set of teaching resources.

If you have access to a laminating machine, I recommend that you laminate your banner so that it will be more durable and you can use it again in the future.

Extra Freebie Included:  Write a Letter to the Main Character

EXTRA FREE TEACHING RESOURCES: For each of the book report sets that are available on Unique Teaching Resources, I try to design some extra bulletin board accent pieces that will help you to decorate your classroom bulletin board display that features your students' book report projects.

In addition to the main project that is described above, I have my students write a letter to the main characters in their books.

I have designed a matching set of rainbow letter stationery and a bulletin board banner for this creative writing activity.

This free letter writing stationery set includes the following:

Color printable worksheets (shown above)

Black and white printable worksheets (not shown)

You will be able to design a colorful and dynamic classroom bulletin board display using your students' finished character body book report projects.

These main character graphic organizers are a unique and fun way to get your students excited about completing a writing assignment about the books that they have read.

The writing responses that are required of your students will make them think and write about how the main character in their story has changed or learned a valuable lesson during the events of the book. In addition, this book report project includes a letter writing activity and a matching bulletin board display banner.

This is one of the first book report projects that I assigned my students. I have gone through many versions of this project while I tested and refined the direction steps and template pieces.

The first year that I tried this book report project with my students, I basically just gave out the directions for folding the poster paper into the shirt, vest, and arm shapes. I had body book reports turned into me that were in a variety of shapes and sizes, from 6 inches in height, all the way up to 6 feet tall! It was very hard to create a bulletin board display of these projects when they were such different sizes.

Although each student still designs a very different looking character project, by following the detailed direction steps that I now provide, my students' projects have a similar shape and size to them.

I have tested sending this whole project home (the directions, first draft, and final drafts) as a week long homework assignment, and my students were able to complete all of these steps on their own at home.

This main character body book report project has been one of my students' favorite projects of the entire school year. They have really enjoyed sharing their book report projects and discussing their main characters with their classmates when they have completed their projects. I hope that your students enjoy creating these unique main character projects too!

You will be amazed at the creative ideas that your students come up with for this fun book project!

For these main character body book report projects, I encourage my students to think about what makes their characters unique , and to use these ideas in designing their characters.

Above: This is an example of a book report project for the BFG from the book The BFG by Roald Dahl. To make this character unique, the student designed the BFG has with large ears, holding a snozzcumber in his hand, and by his feet is his Dream Jar.

Above: This is an example of a book report project for Mr. Twit from the book The Twits by Roald Dahl. To make this character unique, one of my students designed his project to have a hairy beard, Mr. Twit holding a paint brush in his hand, and by his feet is his can of hug tight glue.

Above: This is an example of a book report project for Violet Beauregarde from the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. To make this character unique, Violet is chewing gum and she is holding a golden ticket in one hand and a stick of chewing gum in her other hand.

Above: If the main character of the book is an animal, students can easily adapt this project into an animal shaped book report project. This is an example from Lisa's classroom, she teaches Grade 4 in Connecticut. Her student's main character was a badger.

Above: This is an another example from Lisa's 4th Grade classroom in Connecticut. This character must be cool, as she's wearing sunglasses!

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Table of Contents

Click on the navigation bar above , or on the orange links below , to view the pages and resources on this website.

1.  Reading

• Book Report Projects   - Make Reading Fun With These Unique Templates!
• Projects For Favorite Books  - EXTRA LARGE Group & Student Projects For Novels and Read Aloud Books
• Value Pack   - 27 Book Report Projects
• Free Sight Word Flashcards   -   Fry   -   Dolch
• Newbery and Caldecott Book Lists
• Reading Overview  -  Book Report Tips

2.  Writing

• Fun Creative Writing Templates
• Poetry Templates
• Printable Worksheets
• Writing Prompts For Jan - Dec
• Writing Overview

3.  Other Subjects & Resources

• Powerpoint Lessons
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Engage Your Students in Fun Reading Activities This Year More Than 25 Creative Book Report Projects to Choose From!

• VIEW ALL BOOK REPORT PROJECTS
• Cheeseburger  -   Wanted Poster
• Rocket  -   Monopoly Gameboard
• Dive Into Reading Fish  - Sandwich
• Castle - Main Character Body

Extra Large Group Projects For Favorite Novels and Read Aloud Books

• VIEW ALL BOOK TITLES
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  by Roald Dahl
• The Enormous Crocodile  by Roald Dahl
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
• Shiloh  by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

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How to Start a Book Report

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

No matter what you're writing, be it the next great novel, an essay for school, or a book report , you have to capture your audience's attention with a great introduction. Most students will introduce the title of the book and its author, but there's so much more you can do. A strong introduction will help you engage your readers, hold their attention and explain what is coming up in the rest of your report.

Giving your audience something to look forward to, and perhaps even creating a little mystery and excitement, can be great ways to make sure your readers stay engaged with your report. How do you do this? Check out these three simple steps:

1. Hook the Audience's Attention

Think about what you experience in your daily life that captures your attention. The news and radio shows "promo" upcoming stories with a little teaser, often called a hook (because it "hooks" your attention). Corporations use snappy subject lines in emails and enticing headlines in social media to get you to open their messages; these are often called "clickbait" as they get the reader to click on the content. So how can you grab your reader's attention? Start by writing a great  introductory sentence .

You may choose to begin by asking your reader a question to hook his or her interest. Or you may opt for a title that hints at the topic of your report with a dash of drama. Regardless of the way you choose to start a book report, the four strategies outlined here can help you write an engaging essay.

Starting your book report with a question is a good way to grab your reader's interest because you're addressing them directly. Consider the following sentences:

• Do you believe in happy endings?
• Have you ever felt like a total outsider?
• Do you love a good mystery?
• What would you do if you discovered a secret that changed everything?

Most people have a ready answer for questions like these because they speak to common experiences we share. It's a means of creating empathy between the person reading your book report and the book itself. For example, consider this opening to a book report about "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton:

Have you ever been judged by your appearance? In "The Outsiders," S.E. Hinton gives readers a glimpse inside the tough exterior of a social outcast.

Not everyone's teenage years are as dramatic as those in Hinton's coming-of-age novel. But everyone was once an adolescent, and odds are everyone had moments when they felt misunderstood or alone.

Another idea to hook someone's attention is, if you're discussing a book by a well-known or popular author, you might start with an interesting fact about the era when the author was alive and how it influenced his or her writing. For example:

As a young child, Charles Dickens was forced to work in a shoe polish factory. In his novel, "Hard Times," Dickens taps into his childhood experience to explore the evils of social injustice and hypocrisy.

Not everyone has read Dickens, but many people have heard his name. By starting your book report with a fact, you're appealing to your reader's curiosity. Similarly, you may choose an experience from the author’s life that had an impact on his or her work. 

2. Summarize the Content and Provide Details

A book report is meant to discuss the contents of the book at hand, and your introductory paragraph should give a little overview. This isn't the place to delve into details, but draw off your hook to share a little more information that is crucial to the storyline. 

For example, sometimes, a novel's setting is what makes it so powerful. "To Kill a Mockingbird," the award-winning book by Harper Lee, takes place in a small town in Alabama during the Great Depression. The author draws on her own experiences in recalling a time when a small Southern town's sleepy exterior hid a vague sense of impending change. In this example, the reviewer might include a reference to the book's setting and plot in that first paragraph:

Set in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Depression, we learn about Scout Finch and her father, a prominent lawyer, as he desperately works to prove the innocence of a black man wrongly accused of rape. The controversial trial leads to some unexpected interactions and some terrifying situations for the Finch Family.

Authors make a deliberate choice when selecting the setting of a book. After all, the location and setting can set a very distinct mood. 

3. Make a Thesis Statement (if applicable)

When writing a book report, you might also include your own interpretations of the subject matter. Ask your teacher how much personal interpretation he or she wants first, but assuming that some personal opinion is warranted, your introduction should include a thesis statement. This is where you present the reader with your own argument about the work. To write a strong thesis statement, which should be about one sentence, you might reflect on what the author was trying to achieve. Consider the theme and see if the book was written in such a way where you were able to determine it easily and if it made sense. As yourself a few questions:

• Was the book meant to be entertaining or informative? Did it accomplish that goal?
• Did the moral at the end make sense? Did you learn something?
• Did the book make you think about the topic at hand and assess your beliefs? 

Once you've asked yourself these questions, and any other questions you may think of, see if these responses lead you to a thesis statement in which you assess the success of the novel. Sometimes, a thesis statement is widely shared, while others may be more controversial. In the example below, the thesis statement is one that few would dispute, ​and uses dialogue from the text to help illustrate the point. Authors choose dialogue carefully, and a single phrase from a character can often represent both a major theme and your thesis. A well-chosen quote included in your book report's introduction can help you create a thesis statement that has a powerful impact on your readers, as in this example:

At its heart, the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a plea for tolerance in an atmosphere of intolerance, and is a statement on social justice. As the character Atticus Finch tells his daughter, 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'"

Quoting Finch is effective because his words sum up the novel's theme concisely and also appeal to the reader's own sense of tolerance.

Don't worry if your first attempt at writing an introductory paragraph is less than perfect. Writing is an act of fine-tuning, and you may need several revisions. The idea is to start your book report by identifying your general theme so that you can move on to the body of your essay. After you've written the entire book report, you can (and should) return to the introduction to refine it. Creating an outline can help you best identify what you need in your introduction.

Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

• How to Write a Great Book Report
• Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
• The Introductory Paragraph: Start Your Paper Off Right
• 10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report
• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• How to Design a Book Cover
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• How to Structure an Essay
• How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story
• How to Write a Response Paper
• How To Write an Essay
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
• 6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay
• Tips for Writing an Art History Paper

Watch CBS News

The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (March 17)

By Ron Charles

March 17, 2024 / 8:36 AM EDT / CBS News

By Washington Post book critic Ron Charles

This month's books take us from pre-Civil War America to the modern-day politics, the rise of Silicon Valley, and the future of the planet.

For 140 years, people have been reading, praising and condemning "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Well, get ready to see Mark Twain's classic in a strikingly different light.

Percival Everett, the author of "Erasure" (the novel that inspired the Academy Award-winning film "American Fiction"), has just published a new book called "James" (Doubleday).

It retells "Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of Huck's enslaved friend, Jim. And believe me, that one change changes everything.

With this comic, sometimes terrifying story, Everett delivers a sharp satire of racism, and more than one shocking surprise. 

READ AN EXCERPT: "James" by Percival Everett

"James" by Percival Everett (Doubleday), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org

Also by Percival Everett: "Dr. No" (Book excerpt)

"Great Expectations" – no, not that one – is a new novel by Vinson Cunningham, a theater critic for The New Yorker. Inspired by his own experiences, it tells the story of a young man who gets a job as a fundraiser for the presidential campaign of a Black senator from Illinois. Now, the candidate is never named, but you'll figure it out from Cunningham's pitch-perfect descriptions.

The real subject, though, is this thoughtful narrator, raised in a Pentecostal church, looking at the candidate and his wealthy donors, and trying to figure out what kind of man he'll become in a nation woven from money and faith.

READ AN EXCERPT: "Great Expectations" by Vinson Cunningham

"Great Expectations" by Vinson Cunningham (Hogarth), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org

Vinson Cunningham at The New Yorker

Téa Obreht has written magical tales involving tigers in the Balkans and camels in the Arizona Territory. Her new novel, "The Morningside" (Random House), is set in a future ravaged by climate change.

An 11-year-old girl named Silvia has immigrated with her mother to an island city that will remind you of New York. There they live with Silvia's aunt who's in charge of a once-grand high-rise apartment building.

But unable to go to school, Silvia turns her curious mind to her strange neighbors – particularly one woman who owns three unusual dogs that may turn into men during the day. 

READ AN EXCERPT: "The Morningside" by Téa Obreht

"The Morningside" by Téa Obreht (Random House), in Hardcover, Large Print Trade Paperback, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org

teaobreht.com

Kara Swisher has been chronicling the wonders and shenanigans of Silicon Valley since people were dialing up AOL to hear "You've got mail."

Now, in her new memoir, "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story" (Simon & Schuster), Swisher takes us through her journey as a reporter who not only covered the rise of the Web, but became one of its leading voices – even as she became increasingly disillusioned with the arrogance of Internet billionaires and their reckless empires.

All the usual suspects are here – Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and others – along with Swisher's signature bravado and insightful criticism.

READ AN EXCERPT: "Burn Book: A Tech Love Story" by Kara Swisher

"Burn Book: A Tech Love Story" by Kara Swisher (Simon & Schuster), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon , Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org

Kara Swisher, host of the podcast On with Kara Swisher and co-host of Pivot

For more suggestions on what to read, contact your librarian or local bookseller. 

That's it for the Book Report. I'm Ron Charles. Until next time, read on!

      For more info: 

• Ron Charles, The Washington Post
• Subscribe to the free  Washington Post Book World Newsletter
• Ron Charles' Totally Hip Video Book Review
• Bookshop.org  (for ordering from independent booksellers)

       For more reading recommendations, check out these previous Book Report features from Ron Charles: 

• The Book Report (February 18)
• Ron Charles' favorite novels of 2023
• The Book Report (October 22)
• The Book Report (September 17)
• The Book Report (August 6)
• The Book Report (June 4)
• The Book Report (April 30)
• The Book Report (March 19)
• The Book Report (February 12, 2023)
• The Book Report: Ron Charles' favorite novels of 2022
• The Book Report (November 13)
• The Book Report (Sept. 18)
• The Book Report (July 10)
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Paul Alexander, forced into an iron lung by polio in 1952, dies at 78

Bill Chappell

Paul Alexander, who held a Guinness World Record for living the longest with the help of an iron lung, has died. Here, medical staff stand among iron lung machines in an emergency polio ward at Haynes Memorial Hospital in Boston, Mass., on Aug. 16, 1955, when the city's polio epidemic hit a high of 480 cases. AP hide caption

Paul Alexander, who held a Guinness World Record for living the longest with the help of an iron lung, has died. Here, medical staff stand among iron lung machines in an emergency polio ward at Haynes Memorial Hospital in Boston, Mass., on Aug. 16, 1955, when the city's polio epidemic hit a high of 480 cases.

Polio struck Paul Alexander in 1952, when he was just 6 years old. Within days, the disease robbed him of the use of his body. But he fought through the illness, using an iron lung for more than 70 years — and inspiring people with his determination to live a full life. He painted, wrote a book and worked for years as an attorney.

"Paul took a lot of pride in being a positive role model for others," his friend Christopher Ulmer, who organized a GoFundMe page for Alexander in 2022, said in a message to NPR. "More than anything I believe he would want others to know they are capable of great things."

Shots - Health News

Wiping out polio: how the u.s. snuffed out a killer.

Alexander died on Monday at age 78, according to a notice by the Grove Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park in his hometown of Dallas, Texas.

Ulmer says he first met Alexander when he filmed an interview with him; the two stayed in touch afterward. Ulmer launched a donation campaign for Alexander after people betrayed his trust and left him in need of better living accommodations, he said. In response, people donated more than $140,000.

"It allowed him to live his last few years stress-free," Alexander's brother, Philip, said in a statement shared by Ulmer. "It will also pay for his funeral during this difficult time. It is absolutely incredible to read all the comments and know that so many people were inspired by Paul. I am just so grateful."

The man in the iron lung, living a large life

Alexander contracted polio during the worst years of the U.S. outbreak, a time when hospital wards held row after row of children lying in iron lungs — seven-foot-long cylinders that use negative pressure and bellows to draw air into their lungs.

The disease progressed quickly in Alexander, shutting his young body down in a matter of days. He survived thanks to a last-minute tracheotomy; from there, he set out to push beyond the limits of his condition. Holding a rod in his mouth, he was able to turn pages in books and create art. He went to high school, college and law school — and, later in life, he used a rod to type out words on a keyboard to write his autobiography.

"My parents taught me to use my intelligence and my energy to be productive," Alexander said in a 2017 video by Gizmodo . "I've never thought of myself as a cripple. That's the word I choose to use because I think it covers the ground in most people's perceptions."

"I'm crippled in most people's minds, except mine," he said, adding later, "I'm Paul Alexander, human being."

He was eventually recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest-surviving iron lung patient .

Radio Diaries

Decades after polio, martha is among the last to still rely on an iron lung to breathe.

At least one other American was known to be relying on an iron lung in recent years: Martha Lillard , who contracted polio one year after Alexander. Both of them were able to learn to breathe outside of the massive respirator for hours at a time, using a technique that required them to intentionally swallow air. But each night, they would return to the iron lung.

"I've tried all the forms of ventilation, and the iron lung is the most efficient and the best and the most comfortable way," Lillard told the Radio Diaries project.

The polio vaccine emerged in the 1950s

In 1955, the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and his colleagues became an essential tool to fight the feared disease — and one for which Salk never sought a patent . It ended years of panic and fear.

"The first known polio outbreak in the United States was in Vermont in 1894," according to the Smithsonian Museum of American History . By the time Lillard and Alexander got sick in the early 1950s, polio epidemics had been growing worse and worse, with tens of thousands of new cases reported each year, often in the summer. Different people experienced differing symptoms, from a flu-like condition to a spreading paralysis.

Goats and Soda

The dream of wiping out polio might need a rethink.

"Communities reacted with dread because no one understood how or why people got it, and because children were the most frequently affected," the museum said, posting images showing closed playgrounds and signs barring children under age 16 from entering cities.

The U.S. officially eliminated "wild" transmission of polio in 1979, but sporadic cases have popped up over the years, including a 2022 case involving an unvaccinated traveler in Rockland County, N.Y.

• guiness world records

Money blog: Washing powder 'shrinkflation' exposed by shopper

A savvy shopper appears to have uncovered a new example of shrinkflation with Fairy Non-Bio. Read this and all the latest personal finance and consumer news below - and listen to a Daily podcast on the UK's housing crisis as you scroll.

Tuesday 19 March 2024 11:12, UK

• A bacterial infection and gangsters: The story of olive oil's 110% price rise - and what to look for in the supermarket
• Why is Bitcoin down?
• Washing powder 'shrinkflation' exposed by shopper
• Japan raises interest rates for first time in 17 years
• Santander offers £185 to bank switchers - as Britons flooded with offers
• Special report:  The town that ran out of homes
• Money Problem : The car I bought was advertised as ULEZ compliant but isn't - what rights do I have?

A savvy shopper appears to have uncovered a new example of shrinkflation - and it's not just the product size that's changed.

Professor Cath Noakes, who works at the University of Leeds, took a closer look at an XXL pack of Fairy Non-Bio.

One weighed 4,225g, the other 3,900g - yet both claimed to offer 65 washes.

The solution to this maths conundrum, Prof Noakes's tweet suggests, is that we now only need 85ml for a wash - instead of 95ml.

She looked at the formula and reports it was unchanged.

Procter Gamble has not yet responded to a request for comment.

It comes as Unilever, Arla and Kraft Heinz will all give evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee of MPs this afternoon about the impact of inflation on costs and how far companies are employing the practice of shrinkflation.

By  James Sillars , business reporter

The FTSE 100 is off to a tentative start, rising eight points to stand at 7,730.

The tiny shift, however, masks some fairly hefty news for the markets to grapple.

Not least is the end of the eight-year era of negative interest rates in Japan.

The country is, however, keeping elements of its stimulus programme on the table after a decades-long fight to bolster economic growth - hence why reaction in Japan and elsewhere so far has been limited.

Domestically, Unilever gained more than 5% in early deals after it announced a vast cost-cutting programme and plan to spin off its extensive ice cream business.

That includes brands such as Magnum, Ben & Jerry's and Cornetto.

A company not feeling such love was DFS Furniture.

Its stock lost more than 10% after its latest guidance that included an expected £4m annual profit deferral should disruption to shipping in the Red Sea continue to the year end.

The Bank of Japan has hiked interest rates for the first time in 17 years. 

The move from -0.1% to a range of 0%-0.1% ends eight years of negative rates aimed at stimulating growth.

Analysts expect it will keep rates stuck around zero for some time as a fragile economic recovery forces it to go slow on any further rise in borrowing costs. 

Read our full story here ...

By Connor Sephton , news reporter

Bitcoin has fallen away from record highs.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency was trading as low as £50,500 on Tuesday morning.

That's compared with £58,000 just six days ago - a drop of 11%.

Other digital assets are suffering double-digit losses.

Ether, the second-largest coin, has fallen by 15% over the past week.

And "memecoins" - joke cryptocurrencies with canine mascots like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu - have plunged 22% over the same timeframe.

Despite these stomach-churning declines, Dogecoin's market capitalisation is still higher than long-established companies like Kellogg's, Nissan and Next.

Sharp reversals in the crypto market reflect a reduced appetite for risk among investors - and offer a reality check.

A metric known as the Crypto Fear & Greed Index tracks sentiment on a daily basis, running on a scale of 1 to 100.

It is currently flashing a score of 79 - labelled "Extreme Greed" - suggesting that further market corrections could be on the horizon.

Crypto enthusiasts will shrug off this pullback, and argue it shouldn't worry investors who are in it for the long-term.

But for anyone hoping to make a quick buck, this should serve as a sobering reminder that the market's volatility works both ways.

By Jimmy Rice and Ollie Cooper, Money team

This is a story about Spanish thieves, Italian farmers and British voters, and if that sounds like a set-up to a bad joke, that's because in many ways it is.

Sky News analysis of official data shows that of all the items we put in our shopping baskets, none has gone up in price anywhere near as much as olive oil in the past three years.

Not sugar, which is 70% more expensive now than in January 2021. Not baked beans, 60.6%, and hard cheese if you were thinking about hard cheese (44.7%).

Our spending calculator  reveals the average price of a 500ml bottle of olive oil has risen from £3.54 in January 2021 to £7.45 right now - an eyebrow-raising jump of 110.5%.

So how have we arrived at a place where olive oil is now the most stolen item in Spanish supermarkets , where Italians ( Italians! ) are increasingly using seeded oils instead and where Britons are… well, Britons are complaining a lot on social media…

We spoke to three people in the supply chain and discovered how a bacterial disease, criminal gangs, changing weather patterns and Brexit are all at play - and how it all means the olive oil currently on our shelves might not be as healthy as we think.

Groves becomes graveyards

We start in Italy, where, according to a  survey by the polling firm Istituto Piepoli , 45% of consumers have rediscovered seed oil in the kitchen, and the industry is facing an existential crisis.

Mike Carlucci, managing director of the Italian food importer Tenuta Marmorelle, says production in parts of Italy is becoming impossible due to a natural disaster that has nothing to do with the climate.

"The events of the past 10 years have made olive oil production in Puglia [which produces 40% of Italy's olive oil] almost impossible," he said. "This is due to the rising bacteria disease Xylella Fastidiosa."

The disease attacks and kills century-old olive trees, severely diminishing yields.

It spreads about 20km to 25km a year, Mike says, leaving a "graveyard of withered and barren trees which were once stunning beautiful olive groves".

Many producers have been forced to replace their trees with more resilient varieties but...

"Even if the new trees manage not to succumb to Xylella, it will be at least nine to 12 years before they produce a notable amount of oil," says Mike.

While prices are up across the continent, in the UK another factor is in play: Brexit.

"The cost of customs documentation leaving Europe and entering the UK is approximately £95 per shipment," says Mike.

"Transporters have all imposed a Brexit surcharge for extra admin duties performed by them in the importation of goods from Europe."

Pallets coming into the UK from the continent are now subject to more stringent fire resistance rules - meaning the cost of pallets has "tripled, even in some cases quadrupled".

'Never had a shortage like it'

Another issue, as has been widely reported, are the wildfires and droughts in southern Europe last year.

These weather events have lead people to extreme measures, according to Sarah Vachon, olive oil sommelier and founder of  citizensofsoil.com .

"You can ask the elders in the villages in Greece and they've never had a shortage like this," she says.

"I see lots of producers selling their previous harvest's oils, since they're able to get a high price for it and might have held on to it over the year. 

"This means the consumer is not getting fresh EVOO. And when it's not fresh, it not only loses its flavour, but it also loses a lot of the health benefits (namely antioxidants like polyphenols) which drop significantly over time."

On top of climate change, there's a flood of cheap sunflower oil coming from Ukraine - so while the price of olive oil is going up, the cost of alternatives are going down.

200 trees stolen overnight

The result is an industry in crisis - and organised criminals are taking advantage.

"Around half of the farmers I work with have a story to tell about thieves stealing their liquid gold," says Sarah.

"Sometimes it's the oil itself, or the olive fruit at the groves, or even an insane story from one of our producers about thieves coming in the night and uprooting 200 freshly planted trees."

Maria Dawson, managing director of the organic food seller Clearspring, says the industry is seeing "some of the lowest levels of olive oil production for five decades and unfortunately a shortage of supply".

The company has managed to secure a stable supply for the coming year, but Maria expects the market to remain uncertain - with no price reductions in the near future, even if 2025 brings better harvests.

Olive oil sommelier Sarah isn't hopeful, either.

"Olive oil is already facing record prices, and the way the climate is changing across the Mediterranean basin (which is warming 20% faster than the rest of the world), the shortages we've seen will likely continue."

Six things to look for when buying olive oil if quality is key

• Olive oil keeps better in darker bottles - it can degrade faster in clear bottles;
• Look for harvest date - anything more than three years old should be avoided, as should anything without a harvest date. Failing this, look for a "best by" label;
• Choose "extra virgin" - things like "pure", "light", "olive oil" and "olive pomace oil" have undergone chemical refinement;
• PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) status should inspire some confidence - but it's no guarantee;
• Where was it made? If you see a bottle that includes multiple countries, it might not be as good quality as one with olives from one region;
• Avoid anything with added trans fats.

One in six Britons have hidden a debt from their partner - and one in four regularly hide purchases.

That's according to research by ClearScore - which asked 3gem to quiz 500 people with live-in partners last month.

Other findings include one in five saying they often argue with their partner about money, while more than one in four feel their relationship is "financially unequal".

Debt collection practices need to be improved or firms could face "robust actions", the Financial Conduct Authority has said.

It announced today that it had joined forces with Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom to make sure customers in debt do not receive excessive communication from companies.

It has also urged firms to use clearly signpost free debt advice, make it easy for debt advisers to contact them on behalf of clients and use supportive language.

Read the full press release here .

Every household must be engaged by the government in the shift to clean heating as uptake of heat pumps to replace boilers is running at less than half of expected levels, the public spending watchdog has warned.

A report by the National Audit Office described assumptions on consumer demand for heat pumps, which use electricity to draw heat from the ground, air or water for heating buildings, as "optimistic".

It also called into question public awareness of the availability of boiler upgrade grants to help smooth the transition from oil and gas-fired boilers amid the battle against  climate change .

Read the full story here ...

Santander is offering £185 to people who switch from a rival bank.

The offer is open to new and existing Santander customers, using the Current Account Switch Service to switch to certain current accounts.

In order to qualify, you need to switch within 60 days of requesting the move - and within that timeframe pay in at least £1,500 and set up two direct debits.

You'll then get the money within 90 days.

Who else has offers like this?

HSBC is offering a switch offer of up to £220 - on the basis you make a new current account and regularly pay into savings with them. 

Cash switching offers from other banks also include £200 to move to a NatWest/RBS current account and £175 to switch to Lloyds.

Before you switch...

When you apply for a new bank account, most banks will run a hard credit check - which can temporarily affect your credit score. 

While this won't be a problem for most people - especially if you're only making one or two switches - you might want to reconsider if you're taking out a loan or mortgage any time soon. 

Consumer site Which? suggests spreading credit applications out and not applying for multiple current accounts at once. 

You might also want to consider whether you have had any other hard credit checks recently, such as applying for a credit card. 

Experian adds: "Opening a new bank account should only lower your credit score temporarily - but if you do it too often, your score won't have time to recover." 

A small number of banks - including Monzo and Starling Bank - run soft credit checks, which won't affect your credit score. 

In the first of a new series of special reports, our  people and politics correspondent Nick Martin spent a week in Hastings, a town on the frontline of all that is wrong with the housing system, with evictions, social housing shortages and Airbnb all causing issues.

This video report is a difficult watch at times but is well worth 15 minutes of your commute home or evening...

EasyJet is opening its first new UK base in 12 years.

The company says its operation at Birmingham Airport could help cut fares - and will also create 140 direct jobs for pilots and crew, as well as support a further 1,200 indirect jobs.

EasyJet's last new base was at Southend Airport in 2012.

Three planes at the West Midlands airport will service 16 new routes from this summer - including Antalya in Turkey, the Greek island of Kos, and Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt.

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