Your Book Talk Should Include

Book Talks

Each student has to do one book talk per trimester. The book talk is to be done on a book of the student’s choice. The book must be at least 70 pages long and appropriate to your personal reading level. Book Talks should last 3-5minutes.

Recommended but not required- Note cards to be used for reference during your Book Talk.

Your Book Talk should include-

1)The title, author, publication date of your book. You should have the book with you to show to the class.

2)Briefly summarize the book (don’t spend too long on this) by telling who the main characters are, what the central conflict/idea is, what the important events in the book are, and what you believe the author wants readers to take from the experience of reading the book. It’s best not to reveal too much or tell the ending, especially if you are ultimately recommending the book as a good read.

3)In your summary, make a connection to another book. For example- “If you loved (book title), then you’ll love (current book title).” Or “If you love (book genre) then you’ll love (current book title).”

4)Introduce and then read a passage from the book. This passage can be from a significant moment in the story that describes a main character in some way, illuminates the book’s theme or central idea, represents an important point in the plot, is a Notice and Note signpost, or is just your favorite part of the book. If you choose your favorite part, be ready to explain why it is your favorite part. What did you like about this part? Did something in this part excite, shock or surprise you? If you choose a signpost, be ready to tell which signpost it is and what this signpost revealed about the text.

5)Tell whether you would recommend the book or not and support your reasoning with three main points or reasons why.

6)When you have completed your Book Talk, fill out a book binder that includes the title of the book and the author’s name. This must be done neatly and include color, pictures, etc. This will be added to “Our Favorite Books” bulletin board.

Remember to practice your Book Talk before you present it to the class.

Book Talk Grading Rubric

______/10 points — Introduction includes author, title, and publication date.

______/10 points — Actual book presented for visual.

______/15 points — Book summary is not too long, but provides enough details to develop an understanding of the book’s main characters/ideas; summary suggests speaker has full knowledge of the book being discussed.

______/20 points — Recommendation for or against book is supported by at least 3 well-reasoned points.

______/20 points — A passage is read with sufficient energy and explanation. Passage demonstrates a significant moment in the story that describes a main character in some way, illuminates the book’s theme or central idea, represents an important point in the plot, is a Notice and Note signpost, or is just the student’s favorite part of the book. Student explains thoroughly and with sufficient reasoning as to why it is his or her favorite part of the book. If student chooses a signpost, explains which signpost it is and what it revealed about the text.

______/10 points — All behaviors of good public speaking are demonstrated, including sufficient voice volume and modulation, few “umms” and “likes,” use of note cards for outline only (no reading from note cards), eye contact with audience is maintained, speech is 3-5 minutes in length.

______/15 points —Book spine is filled out and includes title of book, author’s name, is done neatly, and includes color.

______/100 TOTAL SCORE