Book Report

Book Report

- It is an essay giving a short summary of a book.
- There are six elements which are a plot, character, setting, point of view, irony, and theme.
- In a plot, you have to describe what occurs during the exposition and complication. Also have to describe what occurs in the climax and resolution.
- In a character, you have to give answers of these several questions which are; What is revealed through the protagonist’s speech? What is revealed through the protagonist’s thoughts? What is revealed through the protagonist’s appearance? What is revealed through what others say or think about the protagonist? What is revealed through the protagonist’s actions? Does the protagonist change during the story? Does this change make the protagonist a dynamic character? How? What is revealed through the antagonist’s speech? What is revealed through the antagonist’s thoughts? What is revealed through the antagonist’s appearance? What is revealed through what others say or think about the antagonist? What is revealed through the antagonist’s actions? Is the antagonist a dynamic or static character and why? List the static characters and describe their role in the story.
- In setting, as same as character, you have to answer some questions to give more specific informations; Where is the location of the story? List the country, region, locale, and exact place of most of the story. When is the story taking place? What year, season, and time of day dominate the story? What do you sense about the setting? Describe the smells, tastes, sights, sounds, and physical feelings. What emotions are linked with the setting? Does the setting act as a source of conflict? How and with what effect on the characters?Does the setting act as a character in the story? How?
- At point of view, you have to tell who is telling the story, how much does the narrator know and have to give examples. Also have to tell How much does the narrator want the reader to understand, what point of view is the narrator taking in the story? and have to describe the tone the narrator takes throughout most of the story.
- In Irony, you have to explain Do the characters ever say one thing and mean the opposite? Give examples of this use of verbal irony. Do the characters say things in a cruel and harsh way, intending to hurt in a personal manner? Give examples of these uses of sarcasm. Does the reader know what is happening when a character does not? Give examples of this use of dramatic irony. Does something happen just the opposite of what is expected? Give examples of this use of situational irony.
- For lastly, you have to answer What insight about human nature is revealed in the story? What view of the world is presented in the story? Do you agree with the author’s view of the world? Why or why not? If the title reveals a hint about the meaning of the story-describe how. Does an object, a setting, an event, an animal, or a person stand for something greater than itself? How often does this symbol occur? What do the symbols stand for? Is there a problem in the story? How is it solved? Using the 3 steps, a. subject, b. values transmitted, c.how the main character solves the problem and what this teaches about life in general, state a possible theme for the novel.