How to Write a Book Report

Book reports and book reviews are similar. Book reports tend to be a little more descriptive (What is this book about?) and book reviews are usually more persuasive (Why a reader should or shouldn't read this book). Both offer a combination of summary and commentary.

1. Introduction
Here you want to provide basic information about the book, and a sense of what your report will be about. You should include: 1. 2. 3. 4. Title (underlined)/Author Publication Information: Publisher, year, number of pages Genre A brief (1-2 sentences) introduction to the book and the report

Introduction 1 Oliver Twist Charles Dickens 2 Penguin books, 1985, 482 pages. 3 Historical-Fiction, Social criticism 4 This critically acclaimet story written by Charles Dickens is about a poor young boy who hands up with a group of thieves, let by the beggar Fagin.

2. Body
There are two main sections for this part: (1) The first is an explanation of what the book is about; (2) The second is your opinion about the book and how successful it is. Provide brief descriptions of the setting, the point of view (who tells the story), the protagonist , and other major characters. If there is a distinct mood or tone, discuss that as well. Give a concise plot summary. Along with the sequence of major events, you may want to discuss the book's climax and resolution, and/or literary devices such as foreshadowing. Body This story is set in London, in the 19th century. The story is written in a third person perspective, witch an omniscient narrator. Oliver Twist is a poor orphan, who lives in a workhouse. Oliver Twist is friendly, obedient, generous and amenable. Fagin is a leader of a group of thieves. Fagin is a miser, greedy, unkind and he is obsessed with treasure. Nancy works for Bill Sikes and has served Fagin for many years.

Nancy is a gang member, she is friendly.

Bill Sikes is a criminal who works with Fagin, but he is entirely self serving. He is a murderer and a violent psychopath.

3. Analysisand Evaluation
In this section you analyze or critique the book. You can write about your own opinions; just be sure that you explain and support them with examples. Some questions you might want to consider:

Did the author achieve his or her purpose? Is the writing effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book? What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?

4. Conclusion
Briefly conclude by pulling your thoughts together. You may want to say what impression the book left you with, or emphasize what you want your reader to know about it.