Writing a Successful, Critical Book Report Instructor: T. D. Moss Winter, 2010 For Bishop Michael Eldon School

What Is a Book Report? A book report is not a plot summary. A book report is not a plot summary. A book report is not a copy and pasted overview found online and reformatted. A book report is not a copy and pasted overview found online and reformatted. A book report is not a parent or tutor’s interpretation of a book that you have read. A book report is not a parent or tutor’s interpretation of a book that you have read. A BOOK REPORT IS JUST THAT: AN INTELLIGENT, WELL- PLANNED REPORT THAT CRITICALLY DISCUSSES ALL THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF A BOOK YOU HAVE READ.

What Are the Important Aspects of a Book? Who is the author? How might the author’s life have affected the content in the text? Who is the author? How might the author’s life have affected the content in the text? Main Characters and Major Supporting Characters Main Characters and Major Supporting Characters BRIEF Plot Summary including Major Settings and Major Conflicts BRIEF Plot Summary including Major Settings and Major Conflicts Major Themes: Examinations of the Human Condition (emotions and reactions) Major Themes: Examinations of the Human Condition (emotions and reactions) Writer’s Style Writer’s Style

Why Discuss the Author? Many authors specialize in a set number of themes that relate directly to them. Many authors specialize in a set number of themes that relate directly to them. Often times, those authors’ lives give them special insight into how characters might develop under the fictional conditions that they create. Often times, those authors’ lives give them special insight into how characters might develop under the fictional conditions that they create. For example, an author who experienced domestic abuse might write often about domestic abuse because he or she can skillfully create characterizations that mature in abusive situations. For example, an author who experienced domestic abuse might write often about domestic abuse because he or she can skillfully create characterizations that mature in abusive situations.

A Brief Review of Theme The basic definition of theme is “a central message.” The basic definition of theme is “a central message.” However, this definition is not specific enough for students to understand how to identify theme or how to discuss theme in literature. However, this definition is not specific enough for students to understand how to identify theme or how to discuss theme in literature. Sure, the theme of a party may be “the central message” the party planner is trying to communicate, but the definition goes much deeper when it comes to discussing theme in texts. Sure, the theme of a party may be “the central message” the party planner is trying to communicate, but the definition goes much deeper when it comes to discussing theme in texts.

Theme, The Literary Definition Theme is an author’s examination of or commentary on human emotions and reactions. Theme is an author’s examination of or commentary on human emotions and reactions. In literature, all situations communicate truths about the characters involved, whether they are stubborn or not, jealous or not, good or evil, etc. In literature, all situations communicate truths about the characters involved, whether they are stubborn or not, jealous or not, good or evil, etc. Characters’ behaviors and feelings then ultimately address the many themes of the human condition: Characters’ behaviors and feelings then ultimately address the many themes of the human condition: -That man (all people) is a fallen creature, subject to mistakes no matter how hard he tries to be good.

A List of Common Themes… Notice how these themes are either human emotions or human reactions to situations. -Love-Family Feuding-Identity (crisis) -Hate-Depression-Degeneration -Jealousy-Poverty-Death -Fear-Financial Stress-Disappointment

A Final Note on Theme Though a text may address many themes through character development, the two to five themes most often examined are often the MAIN or MAJOR THEMES. Though a text may address many themes through character development, the two to five themes most often examined are often the MAIN or MAJOR THEMES. Major themes are also often examined or expressed through the experiences of many characters in the same text, further emphasizing that those are the MAJOR themes. Major themes are also often examined or expressed through the experiences of many characters in the same text, further emphasizing that those are the MAJOR themes.

Why Discuss the Writer’s Style? Just as authors specialize in a number of themes, they can also be identified by their style choices, including: Just as authors specialize in a number of themes, they can also be identified by their style choices, including: - How they use dialogue - Presence or absence of elevated vocabulary - Presence or absence of dialect use - Presence or absence of long descriptive paragraphs - Presence or absence of complicated sentence structure - Presence or absence of actual facts And much, much more!!!

An Example of Identifying an Author by Style Toni Morrison is a leading fictional voice on African- American families. Toni Morrison is a leading fictional voice on African- American families. - Many of her texts examine the theme of family in African-American communities. -Many of her texts use African-American dialect. -Many of her texts have African-American lead characters. READERS TRUST THAT TONI MORRISON’S DEPICTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WILL BE CLOSE TO THE TRUTH. That’s what makes her a leading voice in fiction.

An Example of Identifying an Author by Style John Steinbeck is an American Imagist. John Steinbeck is an American Imagist. -His biographies tell us that he lived in settings where people farmed and were indentured servants. Accordingly, many of his texts use that setting. -He uses long paragraphs of description to give readers a real feel of his setting and atmosphere. That is what makes him imagist. -Many of his texts share these characteristics; they are a part of his writing style.

The Critical Aspects Besides just discussing the book, book reports give students an opportunity to critically discuss the book. Besides just discussing the book, book reports give students an opportunity to critically discuss the book. A critical look is a close, specific, particular look. A critical look is a close, specific, particular look. To be critical also means to judge or assign a value to something. To be critical also means to judge or assign a value to something. In book reports, you must both look closely at the book and assign a judgment: Is the book any good? Why or why not?

The Critical Aspects Required There are many critical aspects that could be discussed, but the following are required in my book reports: There are many critical aspects that could be discussed, but the following are required in my book reports: -Make Connections: Is this book similar to or different from other books you’ve read? How? -Was the ending expected? Ironic? A Cliffhanger? -Have you learned anything new from reading this text? -Would you recommend this text to anyone else? If so, who? Why? If not, why?

The Book Report Format The first format for book reports I assign is the Essay Format because: The first format for book reports I assign is the Essay Format because: -It requires that students demonstrate the ability to discuss (not just list) information. -It requires pre-planning and coherence, and cannot be written in one sitting or without thorough reading. -It prepares students for producing quality book reports in other formats.

Special Note: I will require book reports in the essay format until a student demonstrates MASTERY in this format. I will require book reports in the essay format until a student demonstrates MASTERY in this format. Mastery in my classroom is 80% and above, which would tell me that the student could produce a similar product again without any re-teaching. Mastery in my classroom is 80% and above, which would tell me that the student could produce a similar product again without any re-teaching. When a student makes an “A” on a book report in my class, he or she is capable of teaching the skill (critical book analysis) to another student. When a student makes an “A” on a book report in my class, he or she is capable of teaching the skill (critical book analysis) to another student.

For Your Benefit: Access the link “Sample Book Report: Sophie Kinsella’s Can You Keep a Secret?” Access the link “Sample Book Report: Sophie Kinsella’s Can You Keep a Secret?” This link will take you to an actual book report (that I personally wrote). This link will take you to an actual book report (that I personally wrote). Pay close attention to how the report is formatted, how I cite sources, and how I analyze the book. Pay close attention to how the report is formatted, how I cite sources, and how I analyze the book. I will expect all students to be able to turn in similar products for their books. I will expect all students to be able to turn in similar products for their books.