Book Report Basics

The book report is one of the most common writing assignments students receive. We’ve created these general guidelines to help you get started, but be sure to check with your teacher or professor to see if there are any more specific requirements for your assignment.

The first and most obvious step to writing your book report is to pick a book and read it. Not only do you need to read the book, but you also need to evaluate what you’re reading as you read the book. Pay attention to the point of view from which the book is written and what impact this point of view has on the development of the story. Analyze the plot, or the sequence of events, in the story and the setting of the story. Finally, determine the general theme of the book and try to state this theme in one sentence.

After you’ve read the book, you’re ready to write your book report. As is common with educational writing, begin your book report with a thesis statement that describes the central theme of your paper. Then continue your book report, using the information you gathered. Be creative in how you approach the report and try to stay away from simply summarizing the book (unless, of course, that was your assignment).

As you prepare your book report you may want to look at outside sources. MonsterPapers has thousands of book reports in its database. Many of the book reports include bibliographies that you can use to find more information for your book report. List the sources you use at the end of your report in your bibliography.

By Devin Green
MonsterPapers.com