book report template printable

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22 Printable Book Report Templates (Worksheets) – Word | PDF

Writing a book report is something that many of us have been tasked with before, particularly as students. A book review works as a succinct summary of the story of a book, and its characters, its plot, its core themes, message, and much more, and is a convenient yet effective way in which readers may convey what they took away from a particular piece of literature. Additionally, it allows readers to be critical of the works they read, giving it an added degree of depth and importance.

Writing a book report is an important part of academia, and also has a ton of application within the professional world. For these reasons, we’re going to take you through a comprehensive guide with which you can easily write a book report on just about any literary work.

What is a Book Report?

As the name suggests, a book report is pretty much that – a report on the experience a reader had with a particular piece of literature. Most often, a book report contains basic details on the book and author – information on the author’s upbringing, inspiration, education, and professional background are all very relevant to a book report. Generally, a solid and comprehensive book report contains the following elements:

• A succinct and brief summary of the plot or the core philosophies that are outlined in the book.
• A personal, individual analysis of the various themes and topics covered in the book.
• A personal and deep analysis of the numerous characters and/or personalities explored in the book.
• Background information that went into the publication of the book, such as information about the author, historical context, political movements, and the like.
• A final statement on why the writer of the report found the book interesting or uninteresting, complete with critical viewpoints backed up by excerpts from the book.

These elements are necessary for writing a comprehensive book report. In the next section, we’ll guide you through the process of writing the book report.

How Do I Write a Book Report?

Before you get started on the book report itself, it is a good idea to compile all your thoughts on the book into a brief set of notes that you can easily refer to. Additionally, you can list any ideas and/or critical viewpoints you may have, allowing you to easily reference different sections of the book in the report.

Once you have your summary and your notes on hand, you can get started with writing the book report. Follow these tips and format in the specified order to write an effective book report;

• Introduction – The introductory paragraph should declare the name of the author, date and year of publication, publisher, country of publication, and any other relevant historical information. Typically, this includes a small background on the author, the historical context of the time it was written, and the situation of the country in which the book was written. Once that’s done, you’re ready to move onto the next section.
• Next, you should present an overarching summary of the book. For fictional works, this means that you should write down an in-depth synopsis of the story, whereas non-fiction works generally merit a break down of the theories, philosophies, accounts, and general themes explored in the book.
• The next section accounts for the report writer’s personal opinions and experience with the book – In this section, you should outline what you thought about the book and why. Then why is particularly important in writing an effective book report – Your opinions, claims, criticism, and praises should all be backed by references taken from the book, such as excerpts or quotations. Tie this into the historical background of the author and the work itself to write an even more effective book report.
• Bibliography – While this may not particularly hold true for all fiction works, it is very common when dealing with non-fiction works. Often, multiple sources are cited in non-fiction works, which may encourage the reader to do some literary exploration and delve into other authors. When this happens, some of these discoveries are bound to tie into the book review. When these sources are used, make sure to cite them categorically and add a bibliography page.

These are the steps you need to follow to write an effective book review. Once you’ve finished writing it, make sure to do a thorough proofread, while also checking for logical follow from start to finish.

Book Report Templates & Examples

Following are free downloadable book report templates and examples that can be downloaded for free:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of a book report.

Typically, a book report is formatted academically. This includes an introduction, a summary of the work itself, the author of the report’s opinions, findings, criticisms, and praises, and finally, a review and summary of the author’s arguments. It is typically formatted with a 1 or 2-pt margin, with double-spaced fonts like Times New Roman or Arial.

How do you write a book report?

A book report is a comprehensive summary of both the book itself, as well as the reader’s thoughts, opinions, and experience reading the book. As a result, it should contain information on the book itself, including the background of the author, a summary of the key aspects of the book, and well-reasoned, logically sound arguments made by the writer of the report. Check out our guide to find a step-by-step guide to writing a book report.

How many pages should a book report be?

Most commonly, a book report falls between 800-1,000 words. If the font is Times New Roman, 1-pt margins, and double-spaced, which is the academic standard, this comes up to a page count of 3-4 pages.

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Book Report Templates

Book reports often ask students to summarize, reflect, and share their ideas. We’ve created a series of book report templates that you can use or adapt based on a variety of learning needs. While this task may reflect individual preferences and insights, it can be collaborative. Students can share in gallery walks, small groups, or large groups. Displaying book reports near your classroom library can allow you to curate a more meaningful classroom book collection and allow peers to interact in an unexpected way. Some of the earliest work with longer writing tasks is cultivated through the experience of crafting a book report. No matter how young your learners may be, fostering a love of reading and providing opportunities for children to write about what they read is critical.

Book Report Templates (Printable PDFs)

One of the most important steps of helping students understand how to craft a book report lies in their ability to choose the books they read and how they want to report on what they’ve learned. It is always useful to review book report options together in class in order to create a firm foundation that students can return to again and again. Since book reports can be a staple task in many elementary school classrooms, offering choice in how students craft and create reports will make the experience more engaging.

We’ve created a variety of printable book report templates below for different learners. For instance, we have an English language and Spanish language book report template that students can use to document character names, setting, and reflect on their favorite parts of a text! Additionally, we’ve crafted book report organizers for fiction and nonfiction texts, so you can appeal to learners who love different genres and make your curriculum more inclusive. Finally, we’ve also created a few options for those students who need more challenge. In these book reports, students extract quotes of significance, analyze them, and offer their insights on what the text teaches readers.

All of our book report templates encourage students to reflect on their interest in the text. This is critical for their reflection and ability to connect with their reading experiences.

Students complete the book report by writing the title, author, Character names, setting and their favorite part of the story.

This is the same book report template but in Spanish.

With this template, 4th - 5th grade students enter the title, author, character names but also enter the plot structure and what the story can teach people. Students also rate the book.

A template for nonfiction books. The student enters basic book information plus three interesting facts and what they are most curious about after reading the book.

With this 6-8th grade template, students write a two-sentence summary, important quotes and whether they recommend the book and why.

Students explain, in two sentences, what the text is about, identify three important events in the text, and choose one quote they think is most important and then analyze its importance.

• TemplateLab

Book Report Templates

30 book report templates & reading worksheets.

Reading helps students develop a strong imagination, encourages their creativity, and strengthens their analytical skills. Teachers assign a lot of book reports to ensure that students read lots of books, especially at that critical early age when they are still trying to master the written word. To cut down on some of the workload, students and teachers can find a book report template to download and fill in. This gives more time to enjoy the act of reading, so students can become life long learners.

Table of Contents

• 1 Book Report Templates
• 2.1 Why Provide A Book Report Form
• 2.2 Sections Of A Simple Book Report
• 2.3 Sections Of A Multi-Page Report
• 3 Sample Book Reports
• 4 Difference Between The Book Report Types
• 5.1 What To Do Once You’ve Written The Report
• 6 Book Report Examples
• 7 Tips for Teachers
• 8 Tips for Students

What Is A Book Report

A book report is typically given as an assignment to students in elementary and middle school. Students fill out a form answering basic questions about the book they were assigned to read. Turning in the report serves as proof to the teacher that the student read the book and, hopefully, got something out of it.

These reports may ask students to detail what the book was about, the names of the main characters, what the theme of the book is, and where the events are set. Some reports may ask specific questions about events or characters to ensure that the students read the book all the way through. The report can also help students understand the book better by asking them to think about its meaning and the plot.

Reading Worksheets

Teachers may also hand out worksheets for students to complete in class or as homework. These are usually limited to the earlier grades when students are still learning to read. Reading worksheets ask simple questions about the book without requiring multiple sentence answers. These questions may ask students to name a favorite character, or mention the main conflict in a few words.

It’s not uncommon for the teacher to read a picture book with the class and have students fill out a worksheet afterwards. If the classroom has a bookshelf, there may also be a ‘Reading Time’ when students pick out a book to read. When they finish, the students fill out the worksheet and submit it to their teacher.

Why Provide A Book Report Form

Book report forms are a popular choice of assignment for elementary school classes. These forms make it simple for students to complete the report by filling out the worksheet. These sheets can be generic with standard questions, or teachers may create a unique sheet with questions specific to each different book that is assigned.

These forms also help introduce students to the idea of a book report format and show them what kind of information may be expected on longer, multi-page reports that they are expected to complete in the higher grades. A form is also easier to grade , especially for teachers who have a large classroom and more assignments to go over than usual.

Sections Of A Simple Book Report

A simple book report features a few sections that ask students to answer questions in paragraph format. These each ask students to detail a different element of the book. All book report forms will ask for the title, author name, and the illustrator’s name, if it is a picture book. The other elements on a simple form include:

• Setting – This is where the book’s events took place, i.e. New York.
• Characters – A list of who the main characters are and their names.
• Plot – A basic overview of the major events in the book.
• Your impressions – Whether you like the book or not, and why.

A simple form may also just ask the students to describe the beginning, middle, and end events of the book in three questions. Students may also be expected to identify the climax, which is the most intense point of the book where the main character’s problems are resolved or made worse. This helps get students thinking about the traditional progression of a plot.

Sections Of A Multi-Page Report

Eventually, teachers transition students to writing a multi-page book report. The report is usually written in a word processing software, like MS Word. Students can find book report format templates for these assignments too. These longer reports are written out in paragraph form. The teacher asks the students to address different elements of a book in their own words or with their own formatting. A simple way to organize these reports is to divide them into three basic sections, the introduction, main body, and conclusion. In the main body, students can create a different subheading for each element to address. For instance,

• Introduction – The first paragraph; includes book title, author, genre, and why you chose the book.
• Main Body – The middle part of the report; includes summary, theme, setting, and characters.
• Conclusion – A short summary of the book report and opinion of the book.

Sample Book Reports

Difference Between The Book Report Types

The short book report form is handed out by the teacher and can be completed in one night like a homework assignment. A multi-page report is created by the student and may take more than one night to finish.

Short templates are available in lots of fun book report ideas suitable for young children. They have questions with a few lines to hand write the answers in a few short sentences. Some templates may include activities to make them more interesting to students, such as having them draw out a scene from the book or re-write the ending.

Multi-page reports start out as two page reports and gradually increase in size through middle school and high school. Of course, those two page reports are just as difficult for young students as the five page reports are for high school students . The great thing about these assignments is that students are usually free to organize their book report ideas however they desire. They can create bold sub-headers for the main body of the report. Students can write about the theme, characters, and setting separately. Or they can leave out the headers and devote their report to a specific element, such as the book theme. This allows students to weave information about characters and setting into the report where they are most relevant to the theme. The former works well for short chapter books, and the latter is better for books that may feature multiple themes.

Ideas for Different Kinds of Book Reports

There is more than one way to complete a book report. Both teachers and students may find these creative ideas more interesting than a straightforward report.

Write a review of the book. Create the report in the form of a newspaper or blog review. Summarize the book without giving away the plot or the ending. Talk about what made you like it or, if you hated it. Feel free to give the book a thumbs up or down rating at the end.

Do a diary. Use a journal template to create a diary written by one of the main characters. There should be multiple entries that follow or discuss the events of the book from that character’s point of view.

Interview one of the characters. Create an imaginary interview with one of the characters in the book. Ask them questions about where they come from, why the character did something important to the plot, and what the character thinks about the outcome of the events in the book.

Write a newspaper article. Create an imaginary newspaper article detailing one of the major events in the book, such as a theft or an important discovery. Make sure to answer the who, what, where, when, and why of these events in your article.

What To Do Once You’ve Written The Report

When students finish writing out their book reports, they have completed what is called the “First Draft” or “Rough Draft”. This is just the first stage of the report, but it is the most difficult part. Finishing up that report in the following steps is a lot easier.

Read and mark the report. Read through the book report from beginning to end to get a feel for it overall. Get a brightly colored pen to mark any spelling or punctuation errors you find in the report. Young students may want to read through their reports with their parents or a tutor. Sometimes, teachers actually make students submit a rough draft of their reports for points before the final report is due. The teacher reviews the draft, makes edits, and suggestions for changing the report before final submission.

Make edits to the report. Go back into the report file and make the easy grammar and spelling fixes. Take a look at your teacher’s suggestions or the ideas you wrote down for things to change in the report. Create a plan to make those additions or changes. Make the changes to the report. Don’t forget to save your file as a separate document. For instance, save your rough draft as, Report1.doc, and this updated version as, Report2.doc.

Review the report. Print out a fresh copy of the report. Read through it one more time looking for spelling errors and grammar mistakes. Keep an eye out for spots where the text doesn’t make sense. This can sometimes happen when you add new content to a report. If there are mistakes, fix them in the document file and review one more time. Your final draft is ready to print out when you can no longer find any mistakes.

Book Report Examples

Tips for Teachers

Book reports are a big part of the curriculum. That doesn’t mean they have to be a lot of work for the students or the teacher. Make assigning these reports less of a hassle with these tips.

• Assign one book for the entire class to read. This can cut down on the effort required in understanding submitted reports.
• Pick out a short book report template to use. There is no need to use valuable time in creating one from scratch.
• Print out more copies of the form than are needed. Some students may lose theirs and need an extra form.
• Make reminder announcements when a due date approaches. Remind students at least twice before a book report due date.
• Keep the word count requirement low. Teachers also have to spend more time reviewing longer reports.
• Consider creative alternatives to some written reports. When your curriculum includes a lot of book reports, give students the option of turning in a drawing, diorama, or another project as a break.

Tips for Students

Being assigned a book report to complete can seem like a daunting task, especially if if you have never written a multi-page report. Make sure you don’t fall behind on the work by following a few of these tips.

• Make up a reading schedule to complete the book well in advance of the report being due. Use a calendar to remind yourself.
• Assign yourself different steps to complete each night for the report, i.e. make an outline, write 200 words, or revising
• Ask the teacher for help with ideas if you can’t figure out how to get started.
• Look for examples of completed reports to see how they are structured.

Book reports vary in their length and complexity. Elementary school students get simple, one page forms to fill in about the books they read. Those in middle school and high school usually have to write multiple page reports. Nearly all reports require students to talk about the plot, theme, characters, and how they liked the book. Both students and teachers can find a lot of templates to use. Those looking for something generic for students to fill in after reading a book can pick up a .pdf or .jpg form. Those who want more control over the look and wording of the template should download a .doc file.

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Free Book Report Templates: Printables for Grades 3-5 for Fiction or Nonfiction Books

Take a new spin on your book report assignment. 📚😍

The Nocturnals are fun-filled animal adventure books with companion nonfiction for elementary school classrooms. Check out The Nocturnals World , a resource hub with free turnkey printable activities and educator guides, and browse The Nocturnals bookstore!

Building lifelong readers is one of the most important things we can do in our classrooms. The benefits of reading are wide-ranging, from improving vocabulary skills to boosting cognitive development, concentration skills, and curiosity for learning. So, how do we get young learners excited about reading and sharing what they’ve learned? Check out our free book report template printables .

Four different activities are ready to print to help you take a new spin on your next book report assignment for fiction or nonfiction books. Students will love filling in their mini book report one-pagers or making their selections from the choice board to share details about what they read.

Worksheets Included:

My mini book report—fiction and nonfiction.

These book report one-pagers are a great way for students to reflect on their readings as they complete different sections of the worksheet. There’s a version for both fiction and nonfiction.

Book Report Choice Board

Give students choices on how they want to complete their book report assignment. This choice board offers eight fun options, from designing a comic to creating a playlist or writing interview questions, so students can let their creativity guide them.

Designing Water Bottle Stickers

Students are obsessed with stickers. In this unique activity, students will design water bottle stickers that the main character of the book would love to have, along with a short description of their choices.

Give students fun-filled books to choose from

Animal adventure books from The Nocturnals are the perfect way to get your upper elementary students excited about reading. Paired with nonfiction companion texts that explore nocturnal animal facts, this series is great for hi-lo readers. Visit The Nocturnals World for more free printable activities and educator guides.

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22 Book Report Templates

In tackling coursework, you may have to dig a little bit into a book or some other kind of literature. This could be with the aim of gaining deeper insight on a matter, drawing connections between the contents of the book and the subject at hand, and so on.

What is a book report?

The above tasks require a book report. This is an essay that discusses the contents of a given book. It is largely written as part and parcel of a class assignment that is issued out to students in school, especially at the elementary level. It is shorter and less comprehensive than a book review.

How to write a book report?

To write a book report, you need to follow the steps below:

• Draft an introductory paragraph. This captures the basic information about the book such as its genre, title, author, year published, number of pages, and the publisher. Include some interesting background information about the author of the book.
• Next, incorporate a plot summary. It is basically a summary of the book itself with regards to the themes, plot, and the characters that are found in it plus the roles they play there.
• Carry out some character analysis of the main characters who dominate and play critical roles in the book from the start through to the finish line.
• Point out the themes of the book i.e. the main ideas that run throughout the story from the start through to the finish.
• Place your personal evaluation and conclusion at the tail end of the report. These two give your own opinion of the entire book and what it does have to offer to any reader.

Book Report Templates

These are frameworks against which the book reports are drafted. They serve as rough guides through which the tiny details are filled out. The templates cheapen the task of drafting a report of this kind while also seeing to it that the outcomes are largely accurate.

Guide: How to draft a book report

Different reports have different outlines and contents. Thus, there is really no unifying way of drafting the report. Nonetheless, there are some common steps that cut across the board. Below, we highlight and explain them:

• Jot down the first draft of the book report. This acts as a spark from which the subsequent reports are drafted and originated.
• Prepare the introductory paragraph of the book report. Remember, it is this introduction that sets the tone and the overall theme of the report going forward. It has to be brief but include every aspect of the report altogether.
• Now get to the core business of the report altogether. Here, you should read the book, garner the finer details and jot down its summary.
• While at it, draft the main portion of the book report, explain the main characters, highlight and explain the main themes of the book, point out any quotes, and comment on the writer’s writing style.
• Give the book a personal evaluation. This one mainly aims at commenting on the book in its entirety while also providing your own review and testimonial about the book as a whole.
• Edit and revise the report before submitting it. As you do so, see to it that you weed out any grammatical and spelling mistakes that may be present in the report.

What is the format of a book report?

The format of a book report refers to the outline that the report follows from the introduction to the conclusion of the book. Even though different reports follow different formats, there are common contents that cut across the board. These are:

• The kind of book report you are drafting
• The book’s title
• The author of the book
• The times that the story is taking place
• The location of the story of the book
• Names and descriptions of the characters in the book
• Quotations and examples from the book to provide support to your opinions

How long should a book report be?

Generally, you should keep your book report as short as it can practically be. A length of about 600-800 words would be suitable. Also, the report has to be double-spaced and drafted in legible fonts.

Final Thoughts

Drafting a book report is not a walk in the park. As a starter, you may have to devote much of your time to write it several times before mastering the art well. We ask you to carry out mock writing to deepen your understanding of the matter. Seeking the assistance of a trained expert may equally do the trick.

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Book reports may be a staple of elementary and middle school education, but they are far less frequently assigned in the higher grades. High school ELA teacher Nancy Barile thinks that should change. Students in 6th grade and above can learn a lot when they are challenged to use higher order thinking skills to understand and interpret the literature they read via a good old-fashioned high school book report template. 

To start, Barile recommends that students choose the books they want to write about themselves—with teacher approval, of course. See the book list at the end of this article for engaging young adult titles and book report ideas, including books with thematic elements that are particularly appealing to older readers. 

Writing the Report

To structure the book reports, Barile recommends eight sections of analysis that will “require students to provide evidence of their choices and reasoning, which helps them think more deeply about what they have read.” For each section, students should give examples from the book to back up their analysis. The below book report template can help. 

If your students need to review the elements of fiction before beginning this assignment, Teaching Powerful Writing is a great resource. This collection of personal narratives and writing activities highlights different writing techniques and covers literary elements such as voice, using flashback, and point of view.

Book Report Breakdown

Students should identify the setting of the novel and explain why the setting is important.

• How are the time and place significant to the events of the story?
• How does the setting contribute to the overall meaning of the novel? 

2. CHARACTERIZATION

Beginning with the protagonist and then moving on to the supporting characters, students should discuss the characterizations in their novel. 

• Is the character well-developed, or are they a stock or stereotypical character? 
• Is the character static (unchanging throughout the story) or dynamic (changes by the end of the novel)? 
• What personality traits does the character possess, and how does this affect the outcome of the novel? 
• Do the character's inner thoughts and feelings reflect their outward actions? Explain. 

3. POINT OF VIEW

Students should identify the novel’s point of view and why it is significant.

• What advantages does telling the story in (first person/second person/third person) have? Why?
• Why do you think the author chose this point of view? 

4. CONFLICT

What is the primary conflict in the novel? Is it human vs. human, human vs. nature, human vs. society, or human vs. themselves? Your students should delve into conflict much more deeply than they may have in the past. If their story has more than one major conflict, they should detail the additional conflicts as well.

• Explain the conflict and how the protagonist deals with it. 
• Does the protagonist overcome the conflict? Or do they succumb to it?

Students should identify the theme of the novel and the specific meaning of the book they chose. They should avoid stock themes such as “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and think more critically on their author’s message.

• What was the author’s purpose in writing the book?

What are the symbols in the novel and how are they significant?

• How do the symbols help develop the story and contribute to the overall meaning of the book?

7. FORESHADOWING

Students should identify the foreshadowing in their novel and give examples from the text.

• Did you know what was going to come? Why? 
• Were there any hints as to what might occur? 
• Why do you think the author chose to use or not use foreshadowing? 

Finally, students should evaluate the ending of the book.

• Was the ending justified? (Was the ending viable and believable?) 
• Was it a satisfactory ending that fit the rest of the novel? 
• Was there a catharsis of some kind? Explain.

If your students follow this structure in their book report, it will help them explore each of the elements of fiction in a very specific way. As Barile discovered in her decades of teaching: “Students who explain, interpret, and synthesize what they have read gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of literature.”

Shop great classroom titles for book reports below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

7 Printable Book Reports

There are numerous ways to present a book report. Over the years, my kids have created bookmobiles, book posters, and even a book shoe box. Yes, there is such a thing. Book reports encourage reading comprehension, the skill of summarizing, sequencing, and even reflection. However, sometimes we don’t want a book report to become a week-long project. That’s where printable book reports become beneficial. There are 7 FREE Printable Book Reports below! Take a look at which one would work for you and yours!

* Be sure to check out our  Hamburger Paragraph Organizers and for your younger students, take a look at our large collection of Draw & Write sheets .

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Why Printable Book Reports

For starters, Printable Book Reports are flexible. They can be used once a year, month, quarter, or for every book your student reads. For us, we use them multiple times in a year. Printable Book Reports are also versatile and easily accessible. There are 7 different versions of our Printable Book Reports to choose from. Some versions are more appropriate for younger students while others are geared toward an older student. My 4th grader chooses a different one than my 6th grader, but both book reports offer the same benefits.

How to use Printable Book Reports

Any time you add an activity to your homeschool, make sure it is worth your time and your student’s effort. For us, these book reports allow my student the opportunity to summarize and work on their writing skills. Specifically, my kids practice developing concise sentences, editing, sequencing, and writing with a flow.  That can be difficult for even experienced writers.

Before assigning your student the book report, engage in open dialogue with your child about the book. Ask them questions about their book. Get them talking about the characters, plot, setting, and dynamics of the story. This alone will assist your budding writer greatly. It is almost like verbal brainstorming. Once you have gotten a grasp on your student’s take of the book, assign them one of the 7 book reports.

From my experience, print two copies of the book report. The first copy will be their rough draft. After they complete it, address any grammar or sentence structure errors. This is also the appropriate time for them to clarify details or add sentences to connect ideas. Once this has been done, your student is ready to write their final draft. For those of you looking to expand this into a full book report project, encourage your student to illustrate a book cover on a separate sheet of paper. Then, have your student attach the illustration and written book report onto a small poster board side-by-side. It makes an impressive display!

So, no matter what book report template you choose, these can be a valuable language arts teaching tool!

DOWNLOAD 7 PRINTABLE BOOK REPORTS

Another reading comprehension option for younger students.

Your student may not be ready for the Printable Book Reports above. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t an appropriate teaching tool to use after they have finished reading a book. We use a very simple 4-square graphic organizer for our younger students when wanting to work on reading comprehension. It is something that you can work on together and can be used for a mere storybook rather than a novel. Check out our 4-Square Graphic Organizers here.

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How to Write a Book Report (+ a FREE Step-by-Step Printable for Your Kids)

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We read a lot of books (homeschool moms, can you relate?). Right now, we are reading the Harry Potter series together as a family, and as my kids have grown, it’s been fun to see them become more interested in reading for fun. As part of our homeschooling this year, we have been learning how to write a book report, which has been a great way for me to evaluate how well my kids are understanding what they read.

My son is in 3rd grade this year and recently had a book report as one of his assignments in English. While there were a couple of steps given to him, he struggled with the process and actually putting the book report together. So I decided to create a step-by-step book report printable to help him learn how to write a book report.

I hope these printables will be a big help to your kids, too! They will walk your kids through the steps of organizing their book report, writing a draft, revising and proofreading, and writing a final copy. Plus, I’ve included a rubric for you that you can use to give helpful feedback if you’d like.

Not only will this template help your kids learn how to write a book report, but they will be fun to add to your homeschool portfolio and look back on in the future.

Why Should You Use Book Reports in Your Homeschool?

Writing a book report or using an organizer to respond to what they have read is a great way to help your kids with their reading comprehension . It’s also fun to see their unique writing styles come to light and learn what they think about the books they have read.

Plus, I have found that incorporating book reports into our homeschool is a fun way for my kids to practice their writing skills because they get to write about a book they have loved. My son doesn’t necessarily love to write, so making the writing topic interesting is really important in our current season.

They also will obviously get to practice their handwriting, and you can include an oral presentation component if you’d like to as well!

Teach Your Kids How to Write a Book Report

A book report is just what it sounds like – a detailed report your kids will write after reading a book. In the report, they will give a summary of the book and share some of the important plot points, as well as share their opinion of the book.

When my son first attempted to do his book report from his English assignment, he struggled with what to write, and how to pull it all together in one cohesive report. I wanted to really lay out the process for him, to break it down into manageable steps .

If your child is new to writing book reports, I would recommend doing the first one together . Choose a book you have been reading aloud as a family (or a new one to read together), so you can then walk through the template and process with them.

If you are reading the book together, model how to take notes of important characters and plot points as you read . These notes will be great to reference later when writing the report.

Once you are finished reading and taking notes, grab your book report template and work through the process of putting together the report ( this printable makes it so easy! ).

My Book Report Template for Kids

There are many options out there with ideas for creative and different styles of book reports (I love these ideas from We Are Teachers), but if you are looking for a simple way for your elementary-aged student to organize their thoughts into a basic book report, these are for you.

The pages include:

• 2 Book Report Planning Pages where your kids will organize their thoughts about the main characters, important plot events, and what they learned and liked about the book. They will also have space to draw out their favorite scene from the story.
• First Draft Pages where they will write a rough draft. These sheets also include checklists that will walk them through the revision and proofreading process.
• My Book Report Pages where your kids will write their final copy of their book report.
• Book Report Rubric which is a sheet you can use to offer comments and suggestions on their work, if desired.
• Reading Log page that your kids can use to keep track of what they are reading (great for your homeschool record keeping as well!)

Using a template like this will help your kids organize their thoughts in the planning pages, so it’s easier for them to put the final review together. They will see all of the important parts that need to go into their book reports, which will help them learn how to write effective reviews and recommendations.

Printable Book Report Template

I’d love for this book report template to be a blessing to you and your family as well! Grab it below when you join my subscriber list – I love to send out freebies, homeschool tips, inspiration and more as I go through my own homeschooling journey.

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Drop a comment below and let me know – what are some of your kid’s favorite books they have read, or what are they reading now?

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FREE Book Report Worksheets and Printables

Published: October 25, 2019

Contributor: Sarah Shelton

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Growing up going to school, I always remember the dreaded book report days. They always stressed me out so much. I would rush to scramble to finish the book, which is never one I was ever interested in reading in the first place. Then I would have to sit down and grudgingly write a report about it. Now that I am a teacher myself, I truly see the value in book reports. I think adding book reports to your homeschool reading curriculum is a great way to help with reading comprehension, writing and even public speaking skills.

If something isn’t included in our curriculum, I always have a hard time remembering to add it to what we are learning. Book Reports are one of those things, that probably get forgotten in homeschool, yet they are still important. We are thankful that we homeschool and aren’t required to force our children to read certain books. If you have a child that struggles with enjoying reading, it would be a good idea to let them choose a book on a topic that is of interest to them. This will make the task a little easier, and they may be excited to share about a book they love.

There are so many ways that you can add book reports to your homeschool. You can schedule them out in a planner to be done once a month, or once a quarter. You could have a family book report challenge, where each child does a book report and reports it to the family. It would be fun to do a book report day in a homeschool group or co-op as well.

If you have been wanting to incorporate book reports into your homeschool, you are going to love all these book report worksheets and printables we have gathered up for you!

Simple Book Report Printable K-5th grade – 123 Homeschool 4 Me

DIY Book Report Kit for Any Book – Life of a Homeschool Mom

Elementary Book Report Worksheet – Only Passionate Curiosity

Book Report and Reading Log Printable for Elementary and Middle School – The Canadian Homeschooler

My Book Report Worksheets – Living Life and Learning

Comic Strip Book Reports – Only Passionate Curiosity

Book Report Template 1-3rd Grade – 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Middle School Book Report Form for Any Book – Blessed Beyond a Doubt

Reading Log and Book Report Form – My Joy Filled Life

We have some great resources and helps for Book Reports:

FREE Book Report Bundle & 5-Star Book List About The United Kingdom -Get ready to inspire adventure to your children by reading about the people and places of the United Kingdom. There is a free book report bundle and a 5 star recommend list of books to read.

FREE Book Report Templates Instant Download

This is a set of 16 book report templates with writing prompts and thought questions. This will help your kids to remember what they have read, and what they need to include when they are writing their book report. There are template forms geared towards elementary, middle school and even high school students! This is available as an instant download.

If your children really dislike book reports and you are looking for alternatives for them, you will enjoy this post:

7 Book Report Alternatives to Get Kids Excited

Sarah Shelton

Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (two homeschool graduates) She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 20 years.. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and gardens. She can only do it by the Grace of God, coffee and green juice

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Book Report Planning Sheets

Customize book report planning sheets.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is a Book Report?

It is a written summary and analysis of a book's content, intended to provide an overview of its key elements, themes, characters, and plot. It is often used as an educational tool to assess a reader's understanding of a book and their ability to critically analyze its various aspects. They can vary in structure and complexity depending on the grade level and educational objectives.

What are Book Report Planning Worksheets?

They are effective tools that teachers assign to students to organize ideas before beginning a larger, more in-depth report. This simple form is meant to highlight the main idea, plot, setting, and main characters of a book, while also showing that students understand what they read, and that they are able to present information about the pages they've read. Planning an outline ahead of time with a Storyboard That template is an essential step towards an incredible and unique project. This planning can be done in class or as homework in note form.

Why are they Important and How are they Best Used?

They are important because they help students create a plan before executing a large project. Students are able to take what they know from the book, and write it all down in one place. They are also able to decide what they want to include, or not include, in their reports by having all of the information laid out in front of them.

In the world of education, fostering reading comprehension and critical thinking skills is a vital mission. These worksheets provide a structured framework that guides the class through a journey of analyzing, understanding, and reflecting on the books they read.

Types of Projects

• The Traditional Report: The traditional approach involves key elements such as the title and author, summarizing the plot, character analysis, setting description, and personal opinions. These worksheets serve as book report forms that students can use to structure a specific idea, as well as their thoughts and insights. Kids are prompted to identify the main ideas, describe the book's aspects, and offer their opinions on their favorite parts.
• Character Analysis: Delving into characters is a fantastic way to enhance reading comprehension. Students can identify character traits, motivations, and changes throughout the story. By using a book report template for kids, teachers guide elementary-age children to critically think about the characters' development and role in the narrative.
• Setting Exploration: Settings often play a significant role in shaping the story's atmosphere and events. Our worksheets offer a structured platform for students to identify and describe the settings, as well as analyze how they impact the plot and characters. This free printable tool engages middle school students and elementary age kids in a deeper understanding of the story's context.
• Comparative Analysis: Comparing and contrasting two books with similar themes or genres is an enriching exercise. Students can analyze characters, plots, themes, and writing styles side by side. This activity encourages critical thinking as students identify similarities and differences between the two works, honing their ability to critically assess literature.
• Book-to-Movie Comparison: In an age where many books find themselves on the silver screen, comparing a book to its movie adaptation can be captivating. With our worksheets, students can highlight the differences and evaluate how successfully the adaptation captures the essence of the novel. This engaging activity invites children to express their opinion on how well the story transitioned from page to screen.
• Critical Book Review: Encouraging critical thinking is a cornerstone of education. Our handouts can be transformed into platforms for students to review what they've read with a discerning eye. By using a book report generator, students can evaluate plot development, character depth, and writing style, strengthening their analytical skills.
• Alternate Conclusion, Ending, or Sequel: Nurturing creativity is equally important. Our templates can serve as springboards for students to imagine alternate endings or sequels to the book. By completing a book report planning form, grade school children create new narrative possibilities, fostering their imaginative thinking.
• Letter to the Author: What better way to engage students than allowing them to interact with the author? Worksheets can include sections for students to write letters to authors, sharing their thoughts, questions, and reactions. This activity bridges the gap between the author's creation and the student's interpretation.
• Book Advertisement: These worksheets can take the form of designing advertisements or promotional posters for the book. By focusing on key aspects, students not only comprehend the book but also learn to present their understanding in a visually appealing manner.
• Timeline of Events: Understanding the chronological sequence of events is crucial in comprehending stories. Templates can be adapted to create timelines of important events from the book. Students fill in the report form with short summaries of events, identifying their significance, and arranging them chronologically.

Tips for Making a Template

• Understand the Purpose: Begin by understanding the purpose. It's a tool designed to guide students through the process of analyzing and summarizing a book's content.
• Identify Your Audience: Determine whether the worksheet is intended for elementary-grade students or middle-school students.
• Choose a Format: Decide on the format of your worksheet. You can use a no prep printable book report template, or create a custom design.
• Incorporate Structured Sections: Include sections for various aspects of the book such as a short summary, character analysis, and personal reflections.
• Utilize Free Resources: Search for free book report templates online to gather ideas and inspiration for your worksheet's layout and content.
• Consider Grade-Level Appropriate Language: Tailor the language used in the worksheet to suit the reading comprehension level of the students for whom it's intended.
• Add Visual Elements: Enhance engagement by incorporating visuals, like images or icons, to make the worksheet visually appealing.
• Provide Prompts for Analysis: Offer prompts and questions that encourage critical thinking. Include questions like "What is a book report?" and "What are some ideas to make your project unique?"
• Offer Space for Personalization: Include sections that allow students to share their personal opinions, a favorite part of the book, and creative insights.
• Include Organizational Tools: Utilize a book report maker or book report generator to create a professional-looking worksheet. A book report graphic organizer can also help students structure their thoughts effectively in their own words.

By incorporating elements like templates, book report planning forms for grade school, and relevant book report examples, you can design a worksheet that guides students through a comprehensive exploration of the book's content while fostering their creativity and critical thinking skills.

More Storyboard That Resources and Free Printables

• Creative Writing Worksheets
• Plot Diagram Template
• Student Planner Template
• Graphic Organizer Templates

How to Make a Book Report Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on “Copy Template”

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Book Reports

Do book report worksheets limit creativity.

No, they don't inherently limit creativity. While they provide structure through elements like book report templates, they can be adapted to encourage creative analysis. By exploring how to write a report that allows creativity, educators can strike a balance between structured analysis and imaginative insights. Ideas can be integrated to spark imaginative thinking. A well-designed book report template for kids allows room for personal expression while maintaining organization.

Do book reports differ based on grade levels?

Yes, they vary by grade level. Elementary reports focus on simple summaries and character descriptions. Middle school reports delve into themes and analysis. High school and college projects demand deeper analysis, including writing style and context. Worksheets and free book report templates can guide each level.

Are book reports limited to novels?

They extend beyond novels to include non-fiction, biographies, and more, and free book report templates adapt to different genres. A versatile book report template for kids accommodates various reading materials, and ideas cater to diverse literary forms.

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FREE Printable 3rd Grade Book Report Template for Report

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Make sure kids are understanding what they read with these free book reports . This 3rd grade book report is super handy, as it is no-prep and works with any book. Use this book report template to ensure readers are understanding what they are reading. These  book report form has many spots for children from second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth graders to write down information about the book including the title, author, setting, main characters and the ending. Simply print the free book report templates and you are ready to go!

3rd Grade Book Report

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you will love these no prep book report templates for children in grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 students.  Children need to practice writing and summarizing the major parts of the book, and ensuring they understand what they are reading, but staring at a blank page isn’t going to help your early reader succeed! With the help of these  Book Review Template for Kids and guided prompts, children will easily be able to complete a fun and exciting report on any book they have been reading. Use these  3rd grade book report pages to guide children to review and clearly express the major points of the book they just read.

Free book report templates

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _________ <<. The book report template 3rd grade pdf file will open in a new window for you to save your freebie. Now print off  the pages. This pack is fully black and white, which will help with printing costs.

Book report template

The activities on these book reports include:

• Title of Book
• Describe the setting of the book
• Describe the main characters of the book
• Write a short summary of the book
• How did the story end?

Book report form

• Describe the climax of the story
• Rate the book
• My favorite part
• My favorite character
• A different ending could be
• Draw a new cover for the book

3rd grade book report template

• Where did the book take place?
• When did the book take place?
• What obstacles did the characters face?
• What are your thoughts on the main character
• My thoughts on the book

Book reports for 3rd graders

Whether you are a parent, teacher, homeschooler, daycare provider, or planning a summer camp – you will love these no-prep book report worksheets for kids of all ages in grade 3, grade 4, grade 5 and even grade 6!

Book recommendations for Kids

• Tons of books for preschoolers and fun world book day activities
• Must Read Kindergarten Reading Books pdf free , free Kindergarten Reading Level Book List, Favorite Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten
• 100 Books for 1st Graders to Read by Themselves – Level 1 Reading Books pdf free , Fun-to-Read First Grade Picture Books , First Grade Read Aloud Chapter Books
• Chapter Books for 1st Graders , 2nd Graders, and 3rd Graders – favorite series to keep kids reading!
• Best Read Aloud Chapter Books for 2nd Grade , Check out these 2nd Grade Reading Books pdf free
• Handy Grade 3 Reading Books pdf FREE
• Free 4th Grade Reading List pdf
• Printable Grade 5 Reading books pdf
• Exciting Historical Fiction Books for Kids and 25 Exciting Historical Fiction Books for 4th Graders
• Alphabet Books for Children, Transportation Books for Kids , Space Books for Kids that are out-of-this-world, Funny Picture Books for kids of all ages, Sweet Picture Books about Family , Fun Zoo Books for Kids , best dinosaur books for kids , 50+ Books about community helpers , Beautiful Animal Books for Preschoolers , Preschool Color Books
• Creepy, Crawly Bug Books for Preschool kids, Rhyming Books for Kindergarten , fun-to read fall books for kids , and Preschool emotion books for learning to understand feelings
• See all of our popular kids books to read

Reading Comprehension

• Handy, Reading Comprehension bookmarks (any book: fiction or non fiction)
• Free Book Report Template for elementary age students or Book Report Worksheets for elementary age kids
• Simple, one page Book Report Template s to ensure kids are understanding the main charaters, setting, and idea of what they are reading
• Super cute Pizza Book Report Idea with Free printable template or sandwich book report freebie
• Free 3rd Grade Book Report template choices
• 26 more clever Book Report Ideas , Ralph Waldo Poetry Worksheets
• See if kids remember the moral of the story with these FREE Aesop Fables Worksheets pdf
• This Library Scavenger Hunt helps kids learn to navigate a library or this Reading Scavenger Hunt
• Bookshelf Reading Log printable – to help encourage kids to read!
• How to teach elementary age students to write a Ralph Waldo Poetry Worksheets
• Free Parts of a Book Worksheet or these parts of a book for kids coloring pages that use playdough, and book reading goals printables
• Plus, grab these super cute, free printable Star Wars bookmarks for kids !

Book Review Template for Kids

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Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables – www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com. Beth studied at the University of Northwestern where she got a double major to make her effective at teaching children while making education FUN!

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Book Report Templates for Kinder, First, and Second Grade

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Often, when we think of writing book reports, we think of older or high school students. However, kids of all ages can also learn valuable elements of a book. It will also help them with reading comprehension and improve their writing skills in a fun way. One thing to remember is that it’s always a good idea to make it simple and fun. Our young students are just beginning to read. Using a book report template printable you can keep up that excitement, not turn it into something negative.

Elements of a Story

Before doing a book report on paper, we want to make sure that the students familiarize all the terms that may come up in a book report such as book title, author, illustrator, and the story elements.

You can fit making posters into your lesson plans to introduce different elements of a story. I like to introduce one or two posters at a time to young children. For example, we will talk about authors vs. illustrators and we will study some of our class’s favorites and find out who the authors and illustrators are. We will learn about setting, and compare and contrast the settings in different stories we’ve read.

I like to do a read aloud and identify parts of a book and elements of a story with my students. The more you talk about them, the more they will be comfortable identifying them in the books they read and using them in sentences. All this oral exercise will prepare them to eventually write their own book report.

These are some of the basic questions you can ask as you introduce different parts of a book and elements of a story.

What is the title of the story?

Is the book fiction or nonfiction?

By looking at the cover and the title, can you guess what the book is about?

What is the setting of the story?

Who are the main characters?

What happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the story?

Free Book Response Cues

I created these Book Response Cues that you can use once your students are more fluent in identifying the terms in the books they read. Print, cut, and stick them on popsicle sticks or straws, and put them in a little can. After reading a story together, you can have a student pull out a stick to answer the question. This is a great way to do a whole group book study.

Now, it’s time for a book report! You want to give them something that is kid-friendly and not overwhelming. Let them know they are doing something special- something that older kids do. LEVEL UP! They are growing up!

These printables book report forms were specifically made for kindergarten and first graders who are new to book reports. Writing a book report for young kids should not be intense. For this reason, all of the pages are simple and straightforward, and they focus on a few key words at a time. They can be used in reading/listening centers, as a guided reading extensions, or to assist students in retelling a story.

For me, it is important for my students to familiarize different components and elements of a book, practice writing sentences, and additionally practice handwriting.

Doing a book study together will encourage students to talk about the books that they read. They may have a read a great book and recommend to their friends or they may even talk about a book that was not that fun for them. Reading a book with the intention of reviewing it may even give a little nudge on your students to pay closer attention.

Write a Letter to the Author

Another thing you can do when using a book report template printable is get your students to write a friendly letter to the author, illustrator, or to one of the characters. Here’s a link to free letter templates  you can use. An easy way you can make it fun is by dressing up as one of the characters or select a day or week where your kids can dress up as characters in a book. This is always my favorite part of using a book report template printable with the class! If you have any other fun ideas to share, please share them in the comments below! 🙂

See what others have to say about these book reports!

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WTO / Business / Reports / 30 Free Book Report Templates for Grade 1 to 6

30 Free Book Report Templates for Grade 1 to 6

A book report , also known as a critique or review , is a written document that describes or evaluates a piece of fiction or non-fiction.

They are typically assigned to students to demonstrate reading comprehension and persuasive writing abilities. They differ in their scope, with some requiring a simple plot summary and others requiring a critical perspective that analyzes themes, characters, or symbolism in a story.

As great books offer a new perspective on the world, book reports frequently ask students to take a certain stance on the writing. For example: “What statement does The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton make about the lives of teenagers?” The ones assigned to students of lower grade levels may not require them to express their opinion on the book, but all of them start with introductory paragraphs that state basic information like the title and author.

Book Report Templates

For grades 1-2.

Here are the templates that can specifically be used for grades 1 and 2:

For grades 3-4

For grades 3 and 4, the templates and examples are as:

For grades 5-6

Following are the templates that can be used by the teachers or students of grades 5 and 6:

Pre-Writing Considerations of a Book Report

Preparing your ideas before starting can make writing a book report easier and help you save time. So be sure to complete the tasks below before beginning your report to maximize your efficiency and quality of work:

Identify your objective

Your objective is the main statement that you will make in your paper. This statement often answers an assigned question or gives a specific point of view on the story. All of your writing will stem from this objective, which is why it is essential to have it in mind before starting the report. It would be best to choose your quotes and examples according to what will support the point you are arguing in your writing.

Review the rubric

Rubrics or assignment sheets are often provided for students. They outline important information, such as questions to answer, formatting information, and how you will be scored. Reading the rubric before starting the writing process is essential in ensuring that your report caters to your teacher’s expectations.

Read the book

It’s imperative to read the book that you are writing an essay about. However, if you have a choice, try to find a book you think you’d like. While it may seem like a good idea to read an online summary instead of the book, you will probably miss the details you’ll need to support your arguments or observations in the report.

Keep stationary when you read

As you read, have paper and writing utensils at your side to record the page numbers of any quotes you find essential. Alternatively, use sticky notes to mark any valuable passages. If you are reading electronically, there is likely a highlighting or annotating feature to help you document important passages. This will save you the time of flipping back through the book to find examples to use as evidence later.

Look for themes

Themes are the main messages of a story, for example, “the ineffectiveness of revenge.” They can help you make a statement about the meaning and impact of a story in your report. Depending on the assignment, you may write personally about how the themes affected your reading experience. When reading , take note of any themes you encounter. Additionally, keep an eye out for symbols.

Symbols are objects, people, and circumstances featured, often repetitively, in a story that represents an idea beyond their literal contributions to the book. They can clue you into broader themes. For example, the poison used to kill characters may also suggest the poisoning of the mind metaphorically.

Consider your audience

Who will read your paper? Most of the time, the answer is your teacher or other students. However, sometimes you will be asked to write to an imaginary audience unfamiliar with your book, and your goal may be to persuade them to read it. In this case, you mustn’t spoil the book’s ending. Overall, it’s essential to clarify what information or perspective you want your audience to take away from your report.

Craft a rough outline

Create a basic outline using the objectives, themes/symbols, and quotes or examples you noted while reading. For your first draft, the focus is on the logical organization of your ideas. While sentence fluency and grammar will be necessary for the final report, you can hold off on perfecting those elements when crafting a rough outline.

Standard Book Report Outline

As you move from the reading phase to the writing phase, it’s best to use tried-and-true methods of outlining the report. Once you have a good idea of what you will write about, you can plan your paper in a typical five-paragraph format .

This format is based on an introduction, three body paragraphs (unless your teacher asks for more), and a conclusion. The body paragraphs may include a summary of the book and details surrounding the plot and characters.

First, refer to your assignment sheet for the specific content that should be included. Then, take your ideas from the planning phase and sort them into body paragraphs to create a helpful outline.

How do I Write a Book Report?

Information should flow naturally and logically so that the reader can follow your train of thought and see that your arguments, perspective, ideas, and opinions are well supported.

Include each section listed below to ensure that your paper is both thorough and effective:

Introduction

The introduction includes essential information that will establish to your audience what you are writing about and what points you will argue in the remainder of the paper.

The following elements make up a good introductory paragraph :

The first sentence of any piece of writing should capture the reader’s attention and persuade them to read further. For a book report, this could mean including an interesting fact about the book or author, quoting a compelling passage, or even asking the reader a relevant question.

Title and author-name

The title and author should be stated within the first few sentences to avoid confusion.

Other basic information

Many essays include additional classifying information about the book, such as genre, publication information, awards, or background about the author.

Thesis statement

Thesis statements are typically only required in high-school and beyond-level reports. These statements summarize the argument you will make regarding the meaning of the text in the body of the report. For example, you may state that literary devices, characterization, and setting contribute to a particular theme in your assigned book.

Save most of the details for your body paragraphs. Still, an introduction may include basic plot information, such as the setting, the name of the main character, and the general storyline.

Body of the report

The body of the report contains details and explanations that address the topics mentioned in the introduction.

The following sections describe the major elements to include in the body paragraphs of a book report:

Summarizing extensive fiction or non-fiction can be challenging, but luckily, there are many organizational strategies to make it easier. A simple way to organize the plot is by recording the story’s introduction, middle, conclusion, important characters, and setting (including time). You can use this information to form a simple statement.

A popular strategy for one-sentence summaries is to describe the main character, their goals, their obstacle or conflict, how the challenge is overcome, and the outcome.

After falling in love with Prince Eric, Ariel is transformed from a mermaid to a human by the sea witch Ursula at the cost of her voice. She agrees to kiss the prince within three days or turn back into a mermaid and become Ursula’s prisoner. After she does not succeed, Ariel’s father sacrifices himself, but Prince Eric defeats Ursula and saves all of her victims.

Make sure your summary includes the significant conflicts and how they are resolved. You may also note the tone (i.e., lighthearted or ominous) and the point of view (i.e., first-person).

For non-fiction, you can describe an event and its outcome. You can also use a bubble chart to place an essential concept in the center that extends out with details and descriptions. Chapter titles can give you a good idea of the significant subjects the author is addressing. It’s also important to consider the author’s involvement in the text and where they are getting these facts. For both fiction and non-fiction, it’s best to prioritize the major plot points or facts. Make sure you can tie your summary to the overall themes of the work.

Character information

Character details are always crucial in book reports, and character analysis is a report on its own. To convey the necessary information about a character, consider the problems they’re facing, their strengths and weaknesses, their dialogue, and how the reader perceives them. Physical and general personality traits may also be included. Above all, be sure that you can use your character observations to explain their role in the story’s action.

Plot details

When describing the plot, it’s important to go into detail, but only when it contributes directly to the points you are trying to make. For example, you may highlight literary devices that illustrate a specific theme of the work. In general, you should focus on the most crucial plot points, like the main conflict and how it’s resolved.

Personal evaluation/analysis

Many book reports require you to either analyze the meaning of the story or give an opinion. Analysis often involves describing a significant theme and identifying the writing elements that help establish the meaning or message. In a non-fiction context, you may analyze the author’s perspective and point out any biases in the text.

If your paper is more geared toward a personal review, you can evaluate the plot. Were you interested in the story? Use specific examples to explain why. Other ways to connect personally include considering how you relate to the characters, what you learned from the story, and the different ways the book surprised you.

Examples from the text

It’s hard to support your ideas without referencing the text directly. Whether you’re paraphrasing or using quotations, it’s important to cite any content taken from the book. The most common citation styles are MLA , which includes the author’s last name and page number, and APA, which includes the author’s last name and publication year. Be sure to include a “works cited” or a bibliography page at the end of your paper along with your in-text citations.

Your conclusion should summarize the points you’ve made throughout your paper. Therefore, it is partially parallel to your introductory paragraph. However, be sure that your conclusion is non-repetitive and doesn’t restate your introduction exactly. The final paragraph can also state your overall impression of the book if you are writing a personal review. For example, you may summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the piece and its impact on you. Finally, for non-fiction works, you can use the conclusion to make a final statement on the quality of the evidence.

Editing and revising

Unfortunately, the work isn’t done once you type your last statement. You will probably need to look back over your essay a few times to spot grammar mistakes and improve sentence fluency. Reading your report out loud will help you determine if your writing flows naturally and detect more errors. It’s also helpful to ask a friend or family member to read it and offer an audience perspective. When editing, check for formatting mistakes. Your teacher likely guided the font, text spacing, and citation style that you should use in your work. Finally, it doesn’t hurt to use a spellcheck program to catch any last mistakes before submitting the assignment.

Final Remarks

Taking the time to jot down ideas and craft a proper outline is key to writing a high-quality book report. The best papers also include relevant details cited in the text. It tests your reading comprehension, your persuasive skills, and your ability to summarize. It often requires you to make comparisons and express different perspectives. No matter how well a student meets these challenges and supports their argument, a sloppy paper full of grammatical errors will read poorly. Therefore, the planning, drafting, writing, and editing/revision stages are vital to crafting a great one. When you’re prepared, writing a book report is not as hard as it may seem. However, it is often at least a three-day commitment, considering that you don’t have all day to dedicate to the assignment. Using a free template, such as the one provided on this page, can help accelerate the process and ensure that your writing is appropriately organized. With all the above tips in mind, you will be well on your way to high marks and a smooth writing experience.

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