How to Write a Book Report | Steps, Examples & Free Template

• May 08, 2025
• 4 min read

• Tags: Academic Writing, English as a Second Language / ESL, Writing Tips

Have a book report submission deadline and want to know how to write one? We’re here to help! Book reports are vital in academics, helping students sharpen their understanding and critical thinking, while for authors, they offer a deep dive into a text’s composition and stylistic elements. The author’s contributions are crucial for understanding a text, as their perspective and choices significantly impact the content and structure of the writing.

In this article, we will understand how to write a good book report. It’s a skill that not only helps you get more out of what you’re reading but also lets you create a report that truly reflects how good the book is. Summarizing and analyzing the book’s content is essential to provide insights into its main themes, structure, and arguments. Let’s get started!

Firstly, let us understand what is a book report.

What is a book report?

A book report is an in-depth analysis, an objective summary of a book’s main content and arguments. It includes a plot summary that encapsulates the book’s plot. Book reports discuss a book’s content, structure, and themes. Far from just a recap of the plot outline, a book report examines the details of a book’s narrative, offering insights into the characters, themes of the story, and the author’s writing style. 

Analyzing the book’s themes is crucial as it provides critical insights into the underlying messages and social commentaries within the narrative.

Elements of a book report

A proper book report outline consists of the following elements:

• Introduction: Think about how to start a book report with an engaging opening. Mention the book’s title, author, genre, and a brief plot summary. State your main theme or viewpoint.
• Content summary: Give a clear summary of the plot. Highlight key events and turning points. Avoid spoilers. Be concise due to limited space.
• Analysis and perspective: Examine the key characters, their traits, motivations, development, and plot roles. Explore major themes, symbols, and motifs, and their narrative effect. Review the author’s style and perspective, and their impact on the story. Note that a detailed character analysis is often unattainable within strict word limits.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points. Restate your overall impression of the book and possibly suggest who might enjoy it or what kind of readers would benefit from it.
• Citations and references (if necessary): If you have used external sources or have been influenced by other analyses, make sure to cite these references properly to avoid plagiarism. Include page numbers in your citations to enhance clarity.

By following this book report outline, your book report will be comprehensive, informative, and engaging.

Knowing the intended audience

When writing a book report, it’s essential to know the intended audience. The intended audience refers to the group of people the author is trying to reach with their book. To identify the intended audience, consider the book’s content, style, and tone. Ask yourself, what type of reader would be interested in this book? What age group, profession, or demographic is the author targeting? Knowing the intended audience will help you tailor your book report to their needs and interests. For example, if the book is a young adult novel, the intended audience may be teenagers or young adults. In this case, your book report should focus on settings and elements that are relevant to this age group.

How to write a book report

Before learning how to do a book report, it is important to remember that following a book report format is essential. 

Here’s how to write a book report:

1. Read the book carefully: Start by reading the book thoroughly. Take notes on key points, characters, themes, and any passages that stand out.
2. Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts and notes into an outline. This will be your roadmap and will help keep your writing focused.
3. Write the introduction: Begin with an engaging introduction that provides basic information about the book, including the title, author, and a brief synopsis. Make sure to identify the author’s main point of view and how it influences the content of the book.
4. Develop the body: You can follow your outline or a book report template to write the body of your report. Discuss each element (plot, characters, themes, etc.) in separate paragraphs or sections.
5. Conclude your report: Summarize your main points and offer your final thoughts and evaluation of the book.
6. Review and revise: Finally, review and proofread your report for clarity, coherence, and correctness. Make sure to correct any grammatical mistakes and ensure your report flows logically. It is crucial to review the final paper to ensure quality and accuracy before submission.

Tips for writing a book report

Writing a book report can be a challenging task, but with some tips and guidelines, you can create a well-structured and informative report. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Begin by reading the book carefully and taking notes on the main events, characters, and themes.
• Create an outline to organize your thoughts and ideas.
• Use a book report template to guide your writing and ensure you include all the necessary elements.
• Focus on the book’s main ideas and themes, rather than trying to summarize every detail.
• Use evidence from the book to support your analysis and arguments.
• Edit and proofread your report carefully to ensure it is free of errors and easy to read.
• Consider including a few examples or quotes from the book to illustrate your points and add depth to your analysis.

By following these tips, you can create a well-written and informative book report that showcases your understanding of the book and its themes. Remember to keep your report concise and focused, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. With practice and patience, you can become a skilled book report writer and develop a deeper appreciation for literature and critical thinking.

Taking a look at a few examples of book reports will help you understand how to do a book report easily.  So let’s explore some book report examples next.

Book report examples

Starting with book report examples, let’s look at a book report example on The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.

Introduction: Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a powerful and poignant diary that gives an intimate glimpse into the life of a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust.

Summary: The diary chronicles Anne Frank’s life from 1942 to 1944, during which she and her family hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam. The entries detail her daily life in the secret annex, her thoughts, fears, and hopes for a better future.

Analysis and themes: Anne’s diary is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Themes of hope, the cruelty of war, the innocence of youth, and the power of writing shine through her words.

Conclusion: Diary of a Young Girl is more than just a diary; it’s a moving narrative that brings to light the horrors of war and the timeless strength of hope and human dignity. Anne Frank’s voice continues to resonate with readers around the world, making this book a must-read for understanding history and humanity.

Now let’s look at a fiction book report example on Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

Introduction: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a thrilling fantasy novel that introduces us to a world where Greek gods and mythology come to life in the modern era.

Summary: The story follows Percy Jackson, a young boy who discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. After being accused of stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt, Percy embarks on a dangerous adventure across America to find the real thief and prevent a war among the gods.

Analysis and themes: Riordan’s novel is rich in Greek mythology and cleverly intertwined with modern-day settings and issues. Themes of identity, friendship, and bravery are prominent as Percy navigates the challenges of being a demigod. The book also explores the concept of good vs. evil and the importance of understanding one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusion: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is an engaging and imaginative novel that offers a fresh perspective on Greek mythology. It’s a captivating read for young adults, effectively combining action, humor, and life lessons, making it a standout in the genre of fantasy fiction.

Book report template

You can easily write a book report using our free book report template.

It’s clear that writing a book report is more than a mere academic exercise; it’s an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of literature and gain insights. 

By using the provided template and examples as starting points, you’re well on your way to writing insightful and compelling book reports. When citing a book, remember to include the publisher’s name and the total number of pages to ensure a complete and accurate citation. Also, to make your book report perfect, we are always here to help you with our expert editing and proofreading services! 

For more useful tips and resources, keep reading:

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.