For example, you’ll need to find out if your teacher wants you to include citations, such as page numbers from the book, in your paper. It’s also a good idea to ask your teacher how much of your paper you should devote to summary versus analysis. Most book reports are direct summaries with only a few opinions mixed in. In contrast, a book review or commentary is more opinion-driven. Check what kinds of topics you might be asked to write on from the book, so you’ll know what to be on the lookout for as you read. [2] X Expert Source Jake AdamsAcademic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.

Read in stretches with breaks in between 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. Make sure to give yourself enough time to get through the entire book. It’s very difficult to write a book report if you’ve just skimmed over everything. If you’re reading a digital book, you can even make bookmarks that will be easily searchable once you have to write your report. [4] X Expert Source Jake AdamsAcademic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 24 July 2020. 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. ”

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. Outlining does take a bit of time, but it will save you time in 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 the 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 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.

For example, a sentence summary might state, “This book is about the main character’s journey to Africa and what she learned 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 shorter or longer.

Use vivid language when you can and 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 of the book is, “a middle-aged woman who enjoys the finer things in life, such as designer clothes. ” Then, you could connect this to your plot summary by describing how her views change after her travels, if they do. Character introduction will likely happen in the same sentences and paragraphs as plot introduction.

For example, 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 a fiction work, watch to see if the author is using the story to pass along a certain moral or lesson. For example, a book about a fictional underdog athlete could be used to encourage readers to take chances to pursue their dreams.

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

Some teachers require, or strongly suggest, that you include the author’s name and title in your concluding paragraph. Don’t introduce any new thoughts in this final paragraph. Save the space for your recap.

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 any errors for you.

For example, you might say, “It would be great if you could go over my report and make sure that it reads smoothly. ”[15] X Research source

For example, double-check that you are using the correct font, font size, and margins.