Add a Little Spice to Your Book Reports

Ho hum: more book reports? There is no reason to turn the study of good literature into a dull assignment by writing a boring book report. The student can always resort to the "Why I liked this book..." if the book was thoroughly enjoyed. There are, however, other approaches that can be used to write the report.

First, consider the elements of literature appropriate for each age. The student can write a paragraph or report of the elements appropriate for his or her age. Click here for the guide to the Elements of Literature.

Been there; done that; and still looking for more creative ways for a student to report the elements of classic literature? Here are a few more ideas:

• Have the antagonist (that's the adversary to the main character) write the report.

• Write a letter to the author describing what you liked or would change about the book or the elements of literature. (You don't have to send it.)

• Alternatively, you can be the publisher of a book company writing to the author.

• Do a before-and-after character sketch of the main character. Remember that character development is the changing of the main person's attributes or qualities. Focus on how he or she changes. This activity could be accompanied by art work.

• This idea takes some bravado: write a memo from the main character to the teacher, describing why the student should get a high grade for their ingenius study of this book.

• More great book report and essay starters can be found in Write On: The Kid Friendly, Mother Pleasing, Gentle Way to Learn to Write. Look particularly for these Write On's:

  Write On #5, 11, 17, 26, 38, 55, 61 & 62, 71, 74, 97 & 98. These are listed from the easiest level for the youngest writer's up to the most advanced. Click here for more information on WRITE ON: The Kid Friendly, Mother Pleasing, Gentle Way to Learn to Write.
  
  Finally, here is a fool-proof thesis for a high school literary essay: "Author X has mastered many of the elements of literature, making Book ABC a great example of classic literature."
  
  Click here to return from Writing Book Reports to the Literature Main Page.