Key Features of a Book Report: English Coursework
When you have read books prescribed in your syllabus, you will be asked to write a book report. A book report is the most common form of English coursework, assessment assignment and lesson plans. A Book report critically analyses all the components of the book, fiction or non-fiction, by evaluating its key features: plot, characterization, theme, narration and the writing style.
Unlike a book review, which is personal and opinion oriented, a book report is factual and takes into account the text as it is, rather than the reader’s perception of it. Here are the key features of a book report, explained in comparison to writing a review.
Book Details: Mention all the details of the book. Include the Name of the Book, Author, Publisher, Year of Publication, Place of Publication, Binding, number of pages, Price, ISBN, Translation and editions if any. These specifications can be taken from the book cover or the first few pages of the book you have chosen for your English coursework writing assignment.
Extended Summary of the Book: A book report includes a detailed summary of the book. It includes the plot, the conflict, and the climax. While a book review is a sneak peak into the story, a book report states the whole plot, its development, conflict and the denouement. The presentation of the plot is has to be factual. Any interpretations is discussed and analysed at the end of a report.
Historical, Sociological and Chronological Details: It is important to provide these details along with the plot. If the action in the book takes place in the seventeenth century, it should be mentioned in the report. Similarly, the sociological and geographical details also play a great role in critically evaluating a work.
Characterization: “There can be a play without plot, but not with characters.” Aristotle has given utmost importance to the role of characters in a work of literature. A book report should analyse the introduction and growth of characters in a book, along with their peculiarities.
Narration: Discuss the narrative style employed by the author, is it a first person, second or third person narration; also, keep a note of the technique used. Is the story narrated in flash back, fragments, cinematographic technique and how the author’s choice of technique complements the theme of the book. Mention relevant quotations form the text to correspond to your observation.
Writing Style: Every author has a style peculiar to him/her. There are themes, motifs, language common to the writer’s oeuvre. Bring the writer’s peculiarity to the note in the text’s context and discuss it.
Personal Observation and Interpretations: While a book review is entirely personal and opinion oriented, a book report has a limited space for the writer to share his/her opinions of the book. State your interpretations to the book if you are chosen a fiction for your English coursework, If your coursework topic is a non fiction, mention how or how not is the writer successful in arguing his/her thesis.
