Book Report

You may use PowerPoint, design a poster, or create any other kind of book report, as long as you include each of the steps below, using great detail. The most important thing is to actually read the book! (Each step has something written in parentheses afterward. This indicates how many slides you will need for each step if you are using PowerPoint. If you are not using PowerPoint, then consider that each slide will equal approximately a half sheet of paper with large font.) KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU WILL BE PRESENTING THIS TO THE CLASS. MAKING THE PRESENTATION LONG WILL NOT NECESSARILY HELP YOUR GRADE. FOCUS ON THE MAIN POINTS. CREATE IT SO THAT YOUR AUDIENCE WILL BE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.

  1. TITLE PAGE (Ppt – 1 slide)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  2. Name of book & author
  3. Your name
  4. SETTING (Ppt – 1 slide)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  5. When & where the majority of the story takes place
  6. MAIN PROTAGONIST (Ppt – 1-2 slides)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  7. Describe the protagonist’s (main character’s) personality
  8. Describe the main character’s purpose/mission/goal
  9. Anything else about the main character that may be important to understand the story
  10. IMPORTANT CHARACTERS (Ppt – 1 slide per character)/(Poster – 1 page per character, 36+ font)
  11. Describe the character’s personality
  12. Describe the character’s purpose/mission/goal
  13. Anything else about the main character that may be important to understand the story
  14. (Only focus on the most important characters that show up throughout the majority of the book.)
  15. MAIN ANTAGONIST (Ppt – 1-2 slides)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  16. Describe the antagonist’s (the bad guy’s)personality
  17. Describe the “bad guy’s” purpose/mission/goal
  18. Anything else about the main character that may be important to understand the story
  19. MAIN PROBLEM (Ppt – 1-2 slides)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  20. Describe the most important problem(s).
  21. PLOT DEVELOPMENT (Ppt – 1-3 slides)/(Poster – 2-3 pages, 36+ font)
  22. This is the sequence of the MAIN events. Summarize the most important events in the story.
  23. You are only introducing the story to us, so your summary will probably only cover about half of the book (or maybe 2/3 of the book, at most).
  24. Do NOT give away any major details about the ending.
  25. SOLUTION (Ppt – 1-2 slides)/(Poster – 1 page, 36+ font)
  26. DO NOT TELL US THE FINAL SOLUTION. DO NOT TELL US VERY MANY DETAILS ABOUT THE LAST HALF (OR THIRD) OF THE BOOK, AND DO NOT GIVE AWAY THE ENDING!!!
  27. One way to do this is to ask a series of questions, such as “Will they find the missing locket?”“Will they be able to make it out alive?” “Will they be able to stop the evil sorcerer before he destroys the world?”
  28. OPTIONAL INFORMATION (this is NOT extra credit)
  29. Information about the author
  30. Your prediction of what could happen in a sequel
  31. Any other interesting facts that you want to share

Quick hints: In order to earn a level 3 or 4, you need to (1) read the book thoroughly, (2) show understanding of the book through each of the 8 steps shown above, (3) focus on the most important details and the main events – remember that being too wordy can be the same as making it too short, (4) make sure that all slides are in a logical order, (5) make sure to fix mistakes, (6) remember to write it in a way that will make your audience interested in reading the book, and (7) make sure to practice giving the presentation.