what is a theme for a book report

How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story

Understanding themes, the differences between theme, plot, and moral, symbolism and theme, examples of themes in literature, your book report.

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

If you've ever been assigned a book report , you may have been asked to address the  theme of the book. In order to do that, you really have to understand what a theme is. Many people, when asked to describe the theme of a book will describe the plot synopsis, but that's not the same as the theme. 

A book's theme is the main idea that flows through the narrative and connects the components of the story together. A work of fiction may have one theme or many, and they aren't always easy to pinpoint right away. In many stories, the theme develops over time, and it isn't until you're well into reading the novel or short story that you fully understand the underlying theme or themes. 

Themes can be broad or they can focus on a specific notion. For example, a romance novel may have the obvious, but very general, theme of love, but the storyline may also address issues of society or family. Many stories have a major theme and several minor themes that help develop the major theme. 

A book's theme is not the same as its plot or its moral lesson, but these elements are related and necessary in building the larger story. The plot of a novel is the action that takes place within the course of the narrative. The moral is the lesson that the reader is supposed to learn from the plot's conclusion. Both reflect the larger theme and work to present what that theme is to the reader.

A story's theme isn't typically stated outright. Often it is suggested by a thinly veiled lesson or   details contained within the plot. In the nursery tale " The Three Little Pigs ," the narrative revolves around three pigs and a wolf's pursuit of them. The wolf destroys their first two homes, shoddily built of straw and twigs. But the third home, painstakingly built of brick, protects the pigs and the wolf is defeated. The pigs (and the reader) learn that only hard work and preparation will lead to success. Thus, you can say that the theme of "The Three Little Pigs" is about making smart choices.

If you find yourself struggling to identify the theme of a book you're reading, there's a simple trick you can use. When you finish reading, ask yourself to sum up the book in a single word. For example, you could say preparation best symbolizes "The Three Little Pigs." Next, use that word as the foundation for a complete thought such as, "Making smart choices requires planning and preparation, which could be interpreted as the moral of the story." 

As with any art form, the theme of a novel or short story may not necessarily be clear. Sometimes, writers will use a character or object as a  symbol or motif  that hints at a larger theme or themes.

Consider the novel "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," which recounts the story of an immigrant family living in New York City in the early 20th century. The tree growing up through the sidewalk in front of their apartment is more than just part of the neighborhood background. The tree is a feature of both the plot and the theme. It thrives in spite of its harsh surroundings, much like the main character Francine as she comes of age. 

Even years later, when the tree has been chopped down, a small green shoot remains. The tree serves as a stand-in for Francine's immigrant community and the themes of resilience in the face of adversity and the pursuit of the American dream.

There are several themes that are reoccurring in literature, many of which we can identify quickly. But some themes are a little harder to figure out. Consider these popular general themes in literature to see if any of them might be appearing in something you're reading right now.

• Overcoming hardships
• Coming of age
• Struggling with inner demons
• Good vs. Evil

Once you've determined what the main theme of the story is, you're almost ready to write your book report. But before you do, you may need to consider what components of the story stood out the most to you. To accomplish this, you may need to reread the text to find examples of the theme of the book. Be concise; you don't need to repeat every detail of the plot or use multi-sentence quotes from a character in the novel, a few key examples can suffice. Unless you're writing an extensive analysis, a few short sentences should be all you need to provide evidence of a book's theme.

Pro Tip:  As you read, use sticky notes to flag significant passages that you think may point to the theme; consider all of them together once you've finished reading. 

• Theme : The main idea that connects all elements of the narrative. 
• Plot : The action that takes place over the course of the narrative.
• Moral : A lesson that the reader is intended to learn from the plot's conclusion.
• Symbolism : The use of a particular object or image to represent a larger idea. 

Article edited by  Stacy Jagodowski

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How to Format a Book Report for Any Genre | BWB

• March 22, 2024
• 10 min read

Table of Contents:

How to format a book report, choose your book wisely, understand the different elements of a book, ·         setting, ·         characters, ·         plot, ·          conflict, ·         resolution, ·          themes, formatting the introduction, ·         title and author:, ·          genre:, ·          thesis statement:,  body paragraphs, ·          plot summary:, ·          character analysis:, ·          setting analysis:, ·          conflict analysis:, ·          theme analysis:, conclusion paragraph, edit and revise.

•  Cite Your Sources

Examples of book report formatting: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

An evaluation:, the final word:, conclusion:.

A book report is a written document that summarizes and evaluates a work of literature. Book reports are a staple of academic life from elementary school through college. Properly formatting a book report is an important skill that will serve you throughout your academic career and beyond.

Writing a book report may seem daunting, but it’s quite straightforward once you know what to include and how to structure your book report format.

While going through this process, remember that attention to detail in terms of grammar, coherence, and clarity can make a substantial difference in the quality of your submission. Utilizing ebook proofreading services can be a wise investment for students aiming for perfection.

This guide will walk you through formatting book reports for any genre, showcasing your reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing abilities.

Here is a step by step to format a book report.

When selecting a book to write a book report on, it’s important to pick one that engages and interests you. Choosing a book you enjoy makes the reading experience more pleasant and allows you to become fully immersed in the material. This makes comprehending the narrative and themes easier, which is essential for writing an insightful book report.

Focus on identifying a book in a genre you appreciate, such as mystery, historical fiction, sci-fi, romance, etc. This raises the chances you’ll become invested in the story. In addition, select a book that matches your reading and comprehension level. Don’t choose an overly advanced book that will struggle to get through. Aim for something accessible but still intellectually stimulating.

When reading a book and preparing for formatting a book report, it’s important to understand the key elements that make up the story. Pay close attention to details about the setting, characters, plot, conflict, resolution, and themes.

The setting refers to the time and place the story takes place. Note where the book is set – is it in the past or present? Is it set in a real place or an imaginary world? What role does the setting play in the book? How does it influence the characters and events?

As you read, get to know the main characters in the book. Consider their key traits, motivations, backgrounds, and development throughout the story. How do the characters interact and influence each other? Which characters change throughout the book, and what spurs that change?

The plot refers to the sequence of events that make up the story. As you read, summarize in your mind the major plot points that occur from beginning to end. Pay attention to the story’s rising action, climax, and falling action. Analyze how the plot builds suspense and moves the story forward.

At the heart of most stories is some form of conflict or struggle. This may be an internal conflict within a character, between characters, or between a character and outside forces like nature, society, or technology. Identify the central conflict and examine how the characters respond to and resolve the conflict.

The resolution brings the central conflict to a close and ties up the plot’s loose ends. Determine how the story is resolved. Is the outcome satisfactory? Does it bring closure or leave questions unanswered? Do all plot points come to a neat conclusion, or are some left open-ended? Examining the resolution can help you analyze the overall message of the story.

Themes are the central ideas or messages that emerge throughout the book. As you read, consider what larger points the author wants to make about society, human nature, or life. What important lessons or realizations do characters have? What themes stand out to you, and what evidence supports them?

These key elements will provide a solid foundation for formatting a book report. It will help you understand the full arc and significance of the story. Remember these elements as you read, take notes, and start writing your report. Analyzing the deeper meaning behind the characters, plot, setting, and conflict will allow you to write an insightful book report .

The introduction paragraph is your chance to grab the reader’s attention and tell them about the report. When you format a book report’s introduction, be sure to include the following elements:

Start your first sentence with the book’s full title, underlined, followed by the author’s full name.

The next sentence should mention the genre of the book. Is it fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, etc? Let the reader know what kind of book they can expect.

Brief Summary: Give a brief, 1-2 sentence summary about the main premise or focus of the book. You want to catch the reader’s interest without giving too much of the plot away. Leave them wanting more!

End your introductory paragraph with a thesis statement or assertion about the book. This statement will guide the rest of your report and give the reader context for your analysis in the body paragraphs.

Your introduction should be short and sweet, no more than 3-5 sentences. Remember, you want to pull the reader in without revealing all the details and surprises. Leave some intrigue for the rest of the report!

The body paragraphs of your book report allow you to provide an in-depth analysis of the book’s key elements. Each body paragraph should focus on a distinct topic to organize your book report.

Briefly summarize the main plot points, conflicts, and resolution without giving away the ending. Focus only on key events that relate to your analysis.

Choose one or two main characters and analyze their motivations, development throughout the book, and their role in advancing the plot. Use specific examples from the book to support your analysis.

Discuss when and where the book takes place. Explain how the setting impacts the plot and characters or parallels the central themes.

Identify the major conflict(s) in the book. Explain how the conflict drives character actions and leads to the resolution. Discuss any moral dilemmas or philosophical questions raised by the conflict. 

 Determine the main theme(s) of the book. Use specific details from plot points, characters, and setting to explain how the author develops and conveys the theme(s) for the book.

Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that introduces the paragraph’s focus, followed by supporting details and analysis that tie back to the topic sentence. The analysis should go beyond just summarizing plot points – and offer original insights into the deeper meaning and importance of key elements. Conclude each body paragraph by connecting back to the overall themes and purpose of the book.

In the conclusion paragraph, you’ll want to summarize your overall feelings about the book and highlight the most important parts of your analysis. This is your chance to leave a final impression on the reader.

Discuss whether you liked the book or not and why. What were its strengths and weaknesses? Wrap up any analysis or insights discussed throughout the report.

You can also discuss what you learned from reading the book. How did it increase your knowledge or change your perspective? What new insights did you gain?

The conclusion should reinforce the main purpose of your report and provide closure after supporting your thesis throughout the body paragraphs. It can help tie everything in the report into a cohesive book discussion.

Keep this paragraph relatively short, as you’ve already covered most of your analysis in detail earlier in the report. Focus on the big picture without introducing any new ideas. End on a thoughtful note that summarizes the significance of what you read.

Now that you’ve completed your first draft, the next vital phase is to edit and revise your book report. This meticulous process is crucial before submitting your final document. It’s advisable to temporarily set your draft aside briefly, allowing you to revisit it later with a new perspective. Afterwards, rigorously scrutinize your manuscript to:

• Check for proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Rectify any typographical or grammatical inaccuracies. Reading your report aloud could be instrumental in identifying errors.
• Ensure that the structure of your sections and paragraphs is coherent and logical.

For an even more polished version of your report, considering the assistance of professional ebook editors could be a game-changer. These experts specialize in refining drafts, ensuring your book report is error-free and flows seamlessly from one section to the next.

  Cite Your Sources

Properly citing your sources is a critical part of your book report format. Whenever you directly quote text from the book, present a statistic or piece of information drawn from another source, or summarize key ideas, you must provide a citation.

Here’s a model of formatting book reports on Harper Lee’s iconic work, To Kill a Mockingbird, which was initially published in 1960.

To Kill a Mockingbird, penned by Harper Lee, is a piece of literature set in the 1930s in Maycomb, a compact town in Alabama. The narrative unveils through the innocent eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch, as she decodes the harsh realities and injustices pervading her surroundings.

Key themes running through this novel include racial bias, prejudice, and a loss of innocence, which are poignant critiques of societal norms during that era.

The narrative pivots around the controversial trial of Tom Robinson, a Black man who is wrongfully accused of assaulting a white woman. Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, offers a stout defense for Tom, standing against the biased views of the local population.

Parallel to this, Scout and her brother Jem are confronted with the harsh realities of racism and bias but also the significance of aligning oneself with righteousness. The character of Boo Radley, an introverted neighbor, presents an intriguing subplot for the children.

To Kill a Mockingbird provides a striking critique of racial disparity and societal injustice in the United States. It underscores the notions of compassion and open-mindedness and sheds light on the destructive consequences of bias. Characters, particularly Atticus Finch, serve as moral compasses, demonstrating the courage to uphold justice amidst adversity.

To Kill a Mockingbird transcends the typical narrative arc, offering a glimpse into societal realities that remain relevant today. It prompts readers to introspect, question ingrained biases, and reevaluate their beliefs.

In a society still grappling with inherent prejudice and racism, the novel’s seminal themes of justice, equity, and empathy remain as seminal as they were at the time of publication. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is an enduring classic, a time-tested literature piece that will continue to engage and educate future readers.

To effectively format a book report, regardless of genre, is key. Using the book Writing Bureau guide, your report—with a structured introduction, plot summary, character analysis, and reflective conclusion—could present a clear discussion. This demonstrates your ability to express your thoughts and the book’s unique resonance within its genre.

We hope with this guide now you understand the book report formatting to follow. By following these formatting guidelines and incorporating insightful analysis, you can create a book report that is informative, engaging, and thought-provoking.

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Writing Composition: How to Do a Book Report

Book Report Background Information for Teachers, Parents and Caregivers

This page provides information to support educators and families in teaching K-3 students about book reports. It is designed to complement the Book Reports topic page on BrainPOP Jr.

Writing book reports is a great way for children to develop and practice their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. It also helps them explore new genres, share books with other people, and become passionate about reading. Remind your children that a book report is a piece of writing that describes a book and shares thoughts and opinions about it. Book reports can vary, but most have three main parts: the introduction; the body, which includes a summary; and the conclusion.

Remind your children that before they can begin a book report, they have to choose a book! We recommend screening the Choosing a Book movie to help children find a book that is just right for them. The next step is to read the book carefully. Encourage active reading and suggest that they take notes as they read. You may want to review different graphic organizers they can employ, such as character trait charts, story maps, or cause-and-effect charts. As they read, they should pay attention to the setting, characters, and major events that happen in the plot. You may also want to come up with questions they can keep in mind as they read. Who is the main character? What problem does the main character face? How does the character change?

It is important that your children manage their time when they write a book report. If they choose a long book, they should set reading goals so that they finish the book in time to do their reports. They may want to use a calendar to establish how many pages or chapters they should read a day. If a book is short, they may want to read the book again so they make sure they do not miss anything. Encourage your children not to choose short books because they think it might be easier to do a book report. They should choose books that they are interested in and want to read.

After children finish reading, they should collect their notes and think about their book reports. They should make an outline of their book reports before they begin writing. Explain that while book reports can be different, most have the same main parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction is a sentence or paragraph at the beginning of a piece of writing that explains what you are writing about. The introduction should include the name of the book, which should always be capitalized and underlined, the author’s name, and the genre, or type of story. Examples of genres include mysteries, biographies, memoirs, science fiction, and fantasy. Some children may also want to explain why they chose the book. One child may like reading memoirs because they can connect their own experiences to them. Another child may enjoy science fiction because they are exciting and unpredictable.

The body, or middle section of the book report, should contain a summary. Review with your children that a summary is a short review of something. It is a recap of the book’s main characters, settings, and events. The summary should only contain the most important details from the book. It is helpful to discuss problems and solutions in storybooks so that children can include these in their summaries too. Children can use a story map to help them write and organize their summaries.

The conclusion is a sentence or paragraph that ends a piece of writing and sums up your thoughts. Children can include their opinions, or what they thought of the book, and their responses, or how the book made them feel. Did they like it? Why or why not? What did they like best? How did they feel as they were reading the book? Would they recommend it to a friend? What did they learn from the book? They can answer these questions in the conclusion and share their thoughts and feelings.

Your children should use book reports to learn about new books to read. Book reports give them an opportunity to explore new writers, styles, and genres. Instilling a sense of wonder and excitement about books will help them become avid readers and writers.

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Theme book report. 22 Free Book Report Templates and Examples – Word 2022-10-30

A theme is a central idea or message that is expressed throughout a book. It is often a lesson or moral that the author wants to convey to the reader. A theme book report is a written analysis of a book that focuses specifically on the themes present in the story.

When writing a theme book report, it is important to carefully read the book and take note of any recurring themes or messages that the author conveys. This may involve identifying the main characters, their conflicts and struggles, and the resolution of those conflicts. It can also involve analyzing the language and imagery used in the book, as well as any symbols or motifs that may be present.

Once you have identified the themes of the book, you can then organize your report around these themes. Begin by introducing the book and its author, and provide some background information about the story. Next, identify the main themes of the book and discuss how they are expressed throughout the story. Use specific examples from the book to support your analysis.

In your conclusion, summarize the main themes of the book and discuss their significance. Consider how the themes relate to your own life or to larger societal issues. You may also want to reflect on the effectiveness of the author's use of themes in the book, and whether or not they effectively conveyed their message to the reader.

Overall, a theme book report requires careful reading and analysis of a book to identify its central themes and messages. By organizing your report around these themes and supporting your analysis with specific examples from the book, you can effectively convey the significance of these themes to the reader.

Book report presentation

You can either download a premade template or make one yourself. Those in middle school and. It helps writers stay organized so they can focus on what needs to be done next. Then, read them and find out the parallels between them and how these books are similar to one another. Sections Of A Multi-Page Report Eventually, teachers transition students to writing a multi-page book report. First, remove all grammatical, punctuation, and vocabulary mistakes. Within this section of the report, try to summarize the content of the book for the well-being of your readers and the target market in general.

Learn How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story

The above tasks require a book report. But on a very basic level, a book report is an extremely simple form of a book review. Lapbook Book Report Lapbooks are different from scrapbooks and make for an excellent and quick book project that is both creative and informative. Here are the things that you should add in the body paragraphs. Conclusion: In conclusion, a book report template is helpful for the teachers and students because it cuts down some of the workloads. A collage book report is easy to make, and it is quite colorful and creative also. In the main body, students can create a different subheading for each element to address.

30 Book Report Templates & Reading Worksheets

Describe the story and arguments and focus on important details. You can easily consult the websites to get the correct story summary before proceeding with writing. There is no need to use valuable time in creating one from scratch. Also, by asking such questions students can understand the book better. These will also help you when you write your personal evaluation, as you could add them to prove your point and analysis.

How to Write a Book Report

These longer reports are written out in paragraph form. Instead, take a look at the below-mentioned steps that help you in writing a perfect report. College students can approach complicated projects based solely on provided instructions without much clarification, they can self-organize and find the best strategies to accomplish corresponding sub-tasks, like completing book report outline, character description, etc. A book report is a specific kind of report that the student writes after reading a book. Both teachers and students may find these creative ideas more interesting than a straightforward report. Note that this section is only valid for fiction books.

25+ Creative Book Report Ideas for All Grades

It is also important to include details pertaining to the narrator of the story or the point of view from which the story is told. There is a fine line between giving just enough details and giving away the entire book, and a good report maintains this distinction. You can do some simple things that will help you write the report and maybe even make it fun. It talks about the deteriorating morals of the society, as a side effect of capitalism or consumer culture. This description will include information on the important characters, the story's physical location and time period and the basic plot movements. A book report is similar to a summary and can be used interchangeably.

Book Report

The discs are already available at their outlet shops for the customers who need the content. They just have a few questions that students answer in a few short sentences. Sometimes, teachers actually make students submit a rough draft of their reports for points before the final report is due. Always check your thesis sentence last. Teachers assign a lot of book reports to ensure that students read lots of books, especially at that critical early age when they are still trying to master the written word. The plot makes the readers come up with a clear overview of the general book.

25+ Free Printable Book Report Templates [Word

Be sure it is well-written, interesting, and it contains a Recording emotional flags: Emotional flags are merely points in the book that bring about emotion. Note that the book report entails more about what you will write after reading the book. It should also contain a clear thesis. This will help you write a better report. This includes the setting, the time period, main characters, and plot of the story.

22 Free Book Report Templates and Examples – Word

To cut down on some of the workload, students and teachers can find a book report template to download and fill in. Also, you should let your readers know if the author is well known within the society. Teachers also demand from the students to write a multi-page book report. Planning ahead from the beginning can help ensure success. Pick the Book Carefully Choosing the right book is an important part of your writing process. The format of a book report refers to the outline that the report follows from the introduction to the conclusion of the book.