That term is used pretty loosely. Some people mean a detailed synopsis. Others want an in-depth analysis on one or more literary devices. Some people actually mean a critic's review of the book. There are even those who want EVERYTHING. Storyboard That wants to bring all of the different kinds of book reports together in a much more engaging medium. Make that dreaded book report something fun with different types of projects! Incorporate student choice and let your students pick the way they want to create a report on a book!
The basis for understanding any piece of literature is to know what is going on. Being able to retell or summarize a story is especially important for students in the younger grades to make sure they can comprehend what they are reading. However, there are very complex plots and subplots in many pieces of high school literature as well, and a synopsis can be highly useful for discussing and understanding the structure of the story.
There are many ways to sum up the plot of a story, depending on length, complexity, and type of story. For a more detailed look, check out the following articles:
When reading literature, we want students to pick up on various literary devices and elements in addition to understanding the plot of the story. Literary devices enrich plot, character development, description, the reader's connection to the story, and so much more.
Here are a few of the literary devices and literary elements that we love:
Everybody has an opinion. The Common Core wants students to be able to critically analyze the writing of others for style, technique, arguments, and so much more. Spitting back facts or the events in a story does not necessarily mean a student actually understands deeper meanings or can parse out authors' strategies and goals.
Whether you want your students to be wary of rhetorical strategies, the quality of writing, personal opinion on the story, or validity of argument or historical accuracy, we have you covered:
Posters, especially movie posters, are a great way for students to showcase symbols and themes in a story. There are so many ways to put together a poster for a book, but students will be able to pick the most important elements of a story and represent them visually.
For even more levels of creativity and customization, students can take advantage of the larger paper and poster-sized layouts to create incredible book reports.
A book report worksheet should include the title and author of the book, a brief summary of the plot, an analysis of the main characters, a discussion of the book's themes, and an evaluation of the book's strengths and weaknesses. It should also include space for the student to write their opinions and reactions to the book.
Group book reports can be a fun and engaging way to encourage teamwork and collaboration. However, it is important to ensure that each member of the group contributes equally to the project. It may be helpful to assign specific tasks or roles to each group member to ensure that everyone is involved.
Book report worksheets can be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of students at any grade level. Younger students may require simpler worksheets that focus on basic story elements, while older students may need more complex worksheets that challenge them to think critically and analyze the book on a deeper level.
The length of a book report worksheet will vary depending on the age and grade level of the student. Generally, a book report worksheet should be long enough to adequately cover the required elements of the assignment, but not so long that it becomes tedious or overwhelming for the student.