how to make a book report timeline

How to Write a Book Report (+ Book Report Example) 

Download for free, specific tips for writing effective book reports..

Write better book reports using the tips, examples, and outlines presented here. This resource covers three types of effective book reports: plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. It also features a specific book report example for students.

How to write a book report (+ book report example) 

Whether you're a student looking to show your comprehension of a novel, or simply a book lover wanting to share your thoughts, writing a book report can be a rewarding experience. This guide, filled with tips, tricks, and a book report example, will help you craft a report that effectively communicates your understanding and analysis of your chosen book.

Looking for a printable resource on book reports? See our Printable Book Report Outlines and Examples

What is a book report? 

Book reports can take on many different forms. Writing a book review helps you practice giving your opinion about different aspects of a book, such as an author's use of description or dialogue.

You can write book reports of any type, from fiction to non-fiction research papers, or essay writing; however, there are a few basic elements you need to include to convey why the book you read was interesting when writing a good book report.

Types of book reports 

Three types of effective book reports are plot summaries, character analyses, and theme analyses. Each type focuses on different aspects of the book and requires a unique approach. These three types of book reports will help you demonstrate your understanding of the book in different ways.

Plot summary

When you are writing a plot summary for your book report you don't want to simply summarize the story. You need to explain what your opinion is of the story and why you feel the plot is so compelling, unrealistic, or sappy. It is the way you analyze the plot that will make this a good report. Make sure that you use plenty of examples from the book to support your opinions.

Try starting the report with a sentence similar to the following:

The plot of I Married a Sea Captain , by Monica Hubbard, is interesting because it gives the reader a realistic sense of what it was like to be the wife of a whaling captain and live on Nantucket during the 19th century.

Character analysis

If you choose to write a character analysis, you can explore the physical and personality traits of different characters and the way their actions affect the plot of the book.

• Explore the way a character dresses and what impression that leaves with the reader.
• What positive characteristics does the character possess?
• Does the character have a "fatal flaw" that gets him/her into trouble frequently?
• Try taking examples of dialogue and analyzing the way a character speaks. Discuss the words he/she chooses and the way his/her words affect other characters.
• Finally, tie all of your observations together by explaining the way the characters make the plot move forward.

In the novel Charlotte's Web , by E. B. White, Templeton the rat may seem like an unnecessary character but his constant quest for food moves the plot forward in many ways.

Theme analyses

Exploring the themes (or big ideas that run throughout the story) in a book can be a great way to write a book report because picking a theme that you care about can make the report easier to write. Try bringing some of your thoughts and feelings as a reader into the report as a way to show the power of a theme. Before you discuss your own thoughts, however, be sure to establish what the theme is and how it appears in the story.

• Explain  exactly  what theme you will be exploring in your book report.
• Use as many examples and quotations from the book as possible to prove that the theme is important to the story.
• Make sure that you talk about each example or quotation you've included. Make a direct connection between the theme and the example from the book.
• After you have established the theme and thoroughly examined the way it affects the book, include a few sentences about the impact the theme had upon you and why it made the book more or less enjoyable to read.

In the novel Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry , by Mildred Taylor, the theme of racial prejudice is a major catalyst in the story.

How to write a book report

1. Thoroughly read the book

Immerse yourself in the book, taking the time to read it in its entirety. As you read, jot down notes on important aspects such as key points, themes, and character developments.

2. Identify the main elements of the book

Scrutinize the book's primary components, including its main themes, characters, setting, and plot. These elements will form the basis of your report.

3. Formulate a thesis statement

Compose a thesis statement that encapsulates your personal perspective about the book. This should be a concise statement that will guide your analysis and give your report a clear focus.

4. Create a detailed outline

Plan the structure of your book report. This outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs each focusing on a different aspect of the book, and a conclusion.

5. Craft the introduction

The introduction should provide basic information such as the book's title and author, and present your thesis statement. It should engage the reader and make them interested in your analysis.

6. Write the body of the report

In the body of your report, discuss in detail the book's main elements that you identified in step 3. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis and to prove your thesis statement.

7. Write a strong conclusion

Your conclusion should summarize your analysis, reaffirm your thesis, and provide a closing thought or reflection on the overall book.

8. Review and edit your report

After writing, take the time to revise your report for clarity and coherence. Check for and correct any grammar or spelling errors. Ensure that your report clearly communicates your understanding and analysis of the book.

9. Include citations

If you have used direct quotes or specific ideas from the book, make sure to include proper citations . This is crucial in academic writing and helps avoid plagiarism.

10. Proofread

Finally, proofread your work. Look for any missed errors and make sure that the report is the best it can be before submitting it.

Book report example 

Below is a book report example on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

In  To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee presents a thoughtful exploration of racial prejudice, morality, and the loss of innocence. Set in the small, fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, the book centers around the Finch family - young Scout, her older brother Jem, and their widowed father, Atticus. Scout's character provides a fresh perspective as she narrates her experiences and observations of the unjust racial prejudice in her town. Her honesty and curiosity, coupled with her father's teachings, allow her to grow from innocence to a more profound understanding of her society's inequalities. The plot revolves around Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer, defending a black man, Tom Robinson, unjustly accused of raping a white woman. As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Robinson is innocent, and the accusation was a product of racial prejudice. Despite compelling evidence in Robinson's favor, he is convicted, symbolizing the power of bias over truth. The theme of racial prejudice is a significant part of the book. Lee uses the trial and its unjust outcome to critique the racial prejudice prevalent in society. For example, despite Atticus's solid defense, the jury's racial bias leads them to find Robinson guilty. This instance highlights how deeply ingrained prejudice can subvert justice. The book also explores the theme of the loss of innocence. Scout and Jem's experiences with prejudice and injustice lead to their loss of innocence and a better understanding of the world's complexities. For example, Scout's realization of her town's unfair treatment of Robinson demonstrates her loss of innocence and her understanding of societal biases. Overall,  To Kill a Mockingbird  is a compelling exploration of the harsh realities of prejudice and the loss of innocence. Harper Lee's intricate characters and vivid storytelling have made this book a classic.

The above is an excellent book report example for several reasons. First, it provides a clear, concise summary of the plot without giving away the entire story. Second, it analyzes the main characters, their roles, and their impacts on the story. Third, it discusses the major themes of the book - racial prejudice and loss of innocence - and supports these themes with evidence from the text. Finally, it presents a personal perspective on the book's impact and overall message, demonstrating a deep understanding of the book's significance.

Book report checklist

Always  include the following elements in any book report:

• The type of book report you are writing
• The book's title
• The author of the book
• The time when the story takes place
• The location where the story takes place
• The names and a  brief  description of each of the characters you will be discussing
• Many quotations and examples from the book to support your opinions
• A thesis statement
• The point of view of the narrator
• Summary of the book
• The main points or themes discussed in the work of fiction or non-fiction
• The first paragraph (introductory paragraph), body paragraphs, and final paragraph
• The writing styles of the author
• A critical analysis of the fiction or non-fiction book

Don't forget! 

No matter what type of book report you decide to write, ensure it includes basic information about the main characters, and make sure that your writing is clear and expressive so that it’s easy for audiences in middle school, high school, college-level, or any grade level to understand. Also, include examples from the book to support your opinions. Afterward, conduct thorough proofreading to complete the writing process. Book reports may seem disconnected from your other schoolwork, but they help you learn to summarize, compare and contrast, make predictions and connections, and consider different perspectives & skills you'll need throughout your life.

Looking for more writing resources? You can find them in our creative writing center .

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

The Efficient Writer: Using Timelines to Organize Story Details

April 6, 2017 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

FACT: when we sit down to write a novel, most of us already have almost a book’s worth of notes tucked away in computer files, stored in writing apps, scribbled on notepads, or stuffed into the coffee-glazed ridges of our brain.

And honesty? This is my jam. I love the brainstorming stage because everything is still on the table .

This is my happy place. I put story puzzles pieces together, like what backstory events shaped my character and which important locations will tie into the story. It’s all about A leading to B , which leads to C .

I think about the ways characters are connected, make notes about the tasks they must complete, and hash out roadblocks I’ll put in the protagonist’s way. Creating a giant ball-pit of ideas? It’s glorious.

But then it’s time to actually write.

And my brain sort of goes, Oh crap .

It isn’t because I’m trying to pants my way into the story. I actually shifted from pantsing to plotting after seeing how much better my novels were when following story structure turning points. The Story Map and Scene Maps [ Formal and Informal ] tools give me what I need, so all good there.

My Problem? Searching so many notes for important information that keeps my worldbuilding consistent and supports the logic of my world.

Like, where did I list out the hierarchy of mages for the magical order the hero belongs to? Or what was the sequence of artifacts he had to find to build a weapon that will protect him from dark energy infiltrating the magic community? If I flub these up, readers will notice, so I have to make sure everything is consistent.

Trying to sift through notes for where I had jotted this information down was costing me time, and occasionally it pulled me out of the creative flow. Some information, I found, needed better organization.

Thankfully, we created Timelines at One Stop for Writers. Ironically when we built it, I was thinking of how it would help other writers with their story planning, not imagining how much this tool would also help me. But wow, does it ever work well to keep me organized!

(Okay, I have to show you. Excuse me while I geek out a bit.)

Most people think of timelines as a way to create a calendar of events that happen throughout a story…and they’d be right. It’s a handy way to plot time sensitive events , like the order of battles in a war that will put your character on the throne, or the clues your mystery sleuth discovers at crime scenes as he hunts for a serial killer:

But timelines can also be used for so much more, like charting a character’s backstory wounds to better understand why they fear Abandonment:

Or, as a way to crystallize a character’s motivation in your mind, drawing right from the Character Motivation Thesaurus entries:

Timelines are also great for grouping objects or places and the important details associated with them, especially when you’ll need to source this information throughout the story. This was my big problem!

Here it is helping me keep track of the special powers of sacred gemstones in one of my stories:

Maybe you plot using Save The Cat , or you’re a bit of a note card plotter like Michael Crichton and like to write down story events and then play around the order. Timelines work really great for this because all the boxes are “drag-able,” so you can test out different scenarios by moving things around:

Honestly, I could probably come up with a million ways to use this tool, but I think you get the gist. If you want to see more ideas of what can be tracked and organized using a timeline, there’s a list here . Between this and the Worldbuilding tool , planning story details and keeping it all organized has never been easier.

Want to give the timeline tool a whirl?

You can find it at One Stop for Writers, along with a ton of other writing resources. We have a FREE TRIAL, too!

Do you ever create timelines to help you keep your story organized? What types of things do you track? Let me know in the comments!

SaveSave Save

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers , a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

May 28, 2018 at 3:24 am

Hey Angela, what an awesome idea. In the stories that I’ve worked on, I’ve always had a feeling of a huge gap between the research and the first draft.

This software sums up the issues and provides a fantastic solution that will help me organize my ideas tremendously.

It makes so much more sense to layout the information as such and build visual around it than box everything and then attempt to fill the draft at the whims of the structure.

May 28, 2018 at 1:50 pm

I hope you find it helpful. i think with the right tools we can shave off so much of the learning curve because we learn to write fiction faster and stronger right out the gate. Thanks for leaving a comment! 🙂

April 10, 2017 at 5:18 pm

Great article. The software is similar to storyboards. From my background as an animator, when doing the timeline, I wrote out blurbs of the scenes on about 50 note cards with slight detail. And then tacked them to wall so the whole story was in front of me at once. This way I could get a sense of the pacing flow too. Most important for me was being able to switch scenes around if needed. Being able to do this physically with actual tactile paper made me think through the decisions with more depth, but that’s me. Thanks again and glad I discovered your site!

April 10, 2017 at 8:14 pm

Yes very similar. I like the ability to switch scenes around also. The first time I did it was with physical note cards, but this is so much handier. 🙂 But I do know what you mean about the tactile component–I feel that way about resource writing craft books. I am able to digest the teachings more by holding the book and marking a spot if need be, but it isn’t the same with an ecopy.

April 8, 2017 at 10:13 am

Timelines is definitely my preference! It helps everything, I think 🙂 Plotting, pacing, character arc, etc. I have software that—when I finally get to writing my novels—has a timeline feature 🙂

April 8, 2017 at 11:05 am

That’s perfect Donna! I definitely love the versatility of using them. 🙂

April 6, 2017 at 6:51 pm

I once created a sequence of action scenes where timing of events had to be accurate, often down to the second, for about 2 hours. I couldn’t have done that without a timeline.

April 6, 2017 at 8:53 pm

Holy cow–that sounds like a huge challenge–good for you!

April 6, 2017 at 5:57 pm

Just call me Graphic Organizer Girl! I not only use timelines but I save them. More than once I have been searching for a particular bit of information or data and find it on my lovely timeline. Oh, and I also date every single paper on which I write because you never know…

I’m so glad you shared this article; it’s very informative and helpful. May you have a very lovely day.

April 6, 2017 at 8:59 pm

Hi Sharon! I am like you–I keep everything. But this is why timelines I think is so vital for me–it will help me organize those details I just can’t lose track of. Happy you found the article helpful. 🙂

April 6, 2017 at 5:45 pm

This is fabulous, Angela. I can’t wait to use it!!

April 6, 2017 at 9:00 pm

I hope you find it as helpful as I have! The possibilities are endless. 🙂

April 6, 2017 at 4:36 pm

I’ve been sold on Plotting! I’m trying my first story on plotting, organization of details, worldbuilding logic, etc. It takes time, but I think in the long run, and in the end, it’s worth it!

April 6, 2017 at 9:01 pm

I agree, it is so worth it. I am so glad I have evolved my writing to include more up front planning. 🙂

April 6, 2017 at 2:08 pm

Hi Angela. That does look like a cool tool. I’m all for inviting the left brain to the writing party.

I appreciate your devotion to the teaching of storytelling craft, and you may be interested to know that I’ve again mentioned you and Becca in my latest blog post . I suggest that you may be saving lives–and I mean it.

April 6, 2017 at 2:33 pm

I just finished the article–some very good food for thought. At least writers now have support and access to what they need–I can’t imagine how dark the dark days would have been for writers of the past. This is why we should celebrate them all, known or not, for following a passion that many around them didn’t understand or support. 😉

April 6, 2017 at 11:49 am

As an unapologetic plotter, I use timelines often. My current WIP involves two hi-tech government projects in two timelines. I think I’m going to parallel plot it, in which timelines are a necessity.

April 6, 2017 at 11:56 am

Unapologetic–I agree! There are just so many things to plan out when you write, and some novels are more complicated than others. If you mess something up (get the timeline of events wrong, mess in a detail, break the worldbuilding logic, etc.) the reader will be completely pulled out of the story. Hurray for us plotters and planners!

[…] It should have the facility to keep notes about your characters, events and track your story timeline. […]

How to Write a Book Report

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Book Report Fundamentals

Preparing to write, an overview of the book report format, how to write the main body of a book report, how to write a conclusion to a book report, reading comprehension and book reports, book report resources for teachers .

Book reports remain a key educational assessment tool from elementary school through college. Sitting down to close read and critique texts for their content and form is a lifelong skill, one that benefits all of us well beyond our school years. With the help of this guide, you’ll develop your reading comprehension and note-taking skills. You’ll also find resources to guide you through the process of writing a book report, step-by-step, from choosing a book and reading actively to revising your work. Resources for teachers are also included, from creative assignment ideas to sample rubrics.

Book reports follow general rules for composition, yet are distinct from other types of writing assignments. Central to book reports are plot summaries, analyses of characters and themes, and concluding opinions. This format differs from an argumentative essay or critical research paper, in which impartiality and objectivity is encouraged. Differences also exist between book reports and book reviews, who do not share the same intent and audience. Here, you’ll learn the basics of what a book report is and is not.

What Is a Book Report?

"Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

This article, written by a professor emeritus of rhetoric and English, describes the defining characteristics of book reports and offers observations on how they are composed.

"Writing a Book Report" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab outlines the steps in writing a book report, from keeping track of major characters as you read to providing adequate summary material.

"How to Write a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

This article provides another helpful guide to writing a book report, offering suggestions on taking notes and writing an outline before drafting. 

"How to Write a Successful Book Report" ( ThoughtCo )

Another post from ThoughtCo., this article highlights the ten steps for book report success. It was written by an academic advisor and college enrollment counselor.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and an Essay?

"Differences Between a Book Report & Essay Writing" ( Classroom)

In this article from the education resource Classroom,  you'll learn the differences and similarities between book reports and essay writing.

"Differences Between a Book Report and Essay Writing" (SeattlePi.com)

In this post from a Seattle newspaper's website, memoirist Christopher Cascio highlights how book report and essay writing differ.

"The Difference Between Essays and Reports" (Solent Online Learning)

This PDF from Southampton Solent University includes a chart demonstrating the differences between essays and reports. Though it is geared toward university students, it will help students of all levels understand the differing purposes of reports and analytical essays.

What’s the Difference Between a Book Report and a Book Review?

"How to Write a Book Review and a Book Report" (Concordia Univ.)

The library at Concordia University offers this helpful guide to writing book report and book reviews. It defines differences between the two, then presents components that both forms share.

"Book Reviews" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s writing guide shows the step-by-step process of writing book reviews, offering a contrast to the composition of book reports.

Active reading and thoughtful preparation before you begin your book report are necessary components of crafting a successful piece of writing. Here, you’ll find tips and resources to help you learn how to select the right book, decide which format is best for your report, and outline your main points.

Selecting and Finding a Book

"30 Best Books for Elementary Readers" (Education.com)

This article from Education.com lists 30 engaging books for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. It was written by Esme Raji Codell, a teacher, author, and children's literature specialist.

"How to Choose a Good Book for a Report (Middle School)" (WikiHow)

This WikiHow article offers suggestions for middle schoolers on how to choose the right book for a report, from getting started early on the search process to making sure you understand the assignment's requirements.

"Best Book-Report Books for Middle Schoolers" (Common Sense Media)

Common Sense Media has compiled this list of 25 of the best books for middle school book reports. For younger students, the article suggests you check out the site's "50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12."

"50 Books to Read in High School" (Lexington Public Library)

The Lexington, Kentucky Public Library has prepared this list to inspire high school students to choose the right book. It includes both classics and more modern favorites.

The Online Computer Library Center's catalogue helps you locate books in libraries near you, having itemized the collections of 72,000 libraries in 170 countries.

Formats of Book Reports

"Format for Writing a Book Report" ( Your Dictionary )

Here, Your Dictionary supplies guidelines for the basic book report format. It describes what you'll want to include in the heading, and what information to include in the introductory paragraph. Be sure to check these guidelines against your teacher's requirements.

"The Good Old Book Report" (Scholastic)

Nancy Barile’s blog post for Scholastic lists the questions students from middle through high school should address in their book reports.

How to Write an Outline

"Writer’s Web: Creating Outlines" (Univ. of Richmond)

The University of Richmond’s Writing Center shows how you can make use of micro and macro outlines to organize your argument.

"Why and How to Create a Useful Outline" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue’s Online Writing Lab demonstrates how outlines can help you organize your report, then teaches you how to create outlines.

"Creating an Outline" (EasyBib)

EasyBib, a website that generates bibliographies, offers sample outlines and tips for creating your own. The article encourages you to think about transitions and grouping your notes.

"How to Write an Outline: 4 Ways to Organize Your Thoughts" (Grammarly)

This blog post from a professional writer explains the advantages of using an outline, and presents different ways to gather your thoughts before writing.

In this section, you’ll find resources that offer an overview of how to write a book report, including first steps in preparing the introduction. A good book report's introduction hooks the reader with strong opening sentences and provides a preview of where the report is going.

"Step-by-Step Outline for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This article from Classroom furnishes students with a guide to the stages of writing a book report, from writing the rough draft to revising.

"Your Roadmap to a Better Book Report" ( Time4Writing )

Time4Writing offers tips for outlining your book report, and describes all of the information that the introduction, body, and conclusion should include.

"How to Start a Book Report" ( ThoughtCo)

This ThoughtCo. post, another by academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, demonstrates how to write a pithy introduction to your book report.

"How to Write an Introduction for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief but helpful post from Classroom  details what makes a good book report introduction, down to the level of individual sentences.

The body paragraphs of your book report accomplish several goals: they describe the plot, delve more deeply into the characters and themes that make the book unique, and include quotations and examples from the book. Below are some resources to help you succeed in summarizing and analyzing your chosen text.

Plot Summary and Description

"How Do You Write a Plot Summary?" ( Reference )

This short article presents the goals of writing a plot summary, and suggests a word limit. It emphasizes that you should stick to the main points and avoid including too many specific details, such as what a particular character wears.

"How to Write a Plot for a Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

In this article from a resource website for writers, Patricia Harrelson outlines what information to include in a plot summary for a book report. 

"How to Write a Book Summary" (WikiHow)

Using Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as an example, this WikiHow article demonstrates how to write a plot summary one step at a time.

Analyzing Characters and Themes

"How to Write a Character Analysis Book Report" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kristine Tucker shows how to write a book report focusing on character. You can take her suggestions as they are, or consider  incorporating them into the more traditional book report format.

"How to Write a Character Analysis" (YouTube)

The SixMinuteScholar Channel utilizes analysis of the film  Finding Nemo to show you how to delve deeply into character, prioritizing inference over judgment.

"How to Define Theme" ( The Editor's Blog )

Fiction editor Beth Hill contributes an extended definition of theme. She also provides examples of common themes, such as "life is fragile."

"How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story" ( ThoughtCo )

This blog post from ThoughtCo. clarifies the definition of theme in relation to symbolism, plot, and moral. It also offers examples of themes in literature, such as love, death, and good vs. evil.

Selecting and Integrating Quotations

"How to Choose and Use Quotations" (Santa Barbara City College)

This guide from a college writing center will help you choose which quotations to use in your book report, and how to blend quotations with your own words.

"Guidelines for Incorporating Quotes" (Ashford Univ.)

This PDF from Ashford University's Writing Center introduces the ICE method for incorporating quotations: introduce, cite, explain.

"Quote Integration" (YouTube)

This video from The Write Way YouTube channel illustrates how to integrate quotations into writing, and also explains how to cite those quotations.

"Using Literary Quotations" (Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison)

This guide from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writing Center helps you emphasize your analysis of a quotation, and explains how to incorporate quotations into your text.

Conclusions to any type of paper are notoriously tricky to write. Here, you’ll learn some creative ways to tie up loose ends in your report and express your own opinion of the book you read. This open space for sharing opinions that are not grounded in critical research is an element that often distinguishes book reports from other types of writing.

"How to Write a Conclusion for a Book Report" ( Classroom )

This brief article from the education resource  Classroom illustrates the essential points you should make in a book report conclusion.

"Conclusions" (Univ. of North Carolina)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center lays out strategies for writing effective conclusions. Though the article is geared toward analytical essay conclusions, the tips offered here will also help you write a strong book report.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Pat Bellanca’s article for Harvard University’s Writing Center presents ways to conclude essays, along with tips. Again, these are suggestions for concluding analytical essays that can also be used to tie up a book report's loose ends.

Reading closely and in an engaged manner is the strong foundation upon which all good book reports are built. The resources below will give you a picture of what active reading looks like, and offer strategies to assess and improve your reading comprehension. Further, you’ll learn how to take notes—or “annotate” your text—making it easier to find important information as you write.

How to Be an Active Reader

"Active Reading Strategies: Remember and Analyze What You Read" (Princeton Univ.)

Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning recommends ten strategies for active reading, and includes sample diagrams.

"Active Reading" (Open Univ.)

The Open University offers these techniques for reading actively alongside video examples. The author emphasizes that you should read for comprehension—not simply to finish the book as quickly as possible.

"7 Active Reading Strategies for Students" ( ThoughtCo )

In this post, Grace Fleming outlines seven methods for active reading. Her suggestions include identifying unfamiliar words and finding the main idea. 

"5 Active Reading Strategies for Textbook Assignments" (YouTube)

Thomas Frank’s seven-minute video demonstrates how you can retain the most important information from long and dense reading material.

Assessing Your Reading Comprehension

"Macmillan Readers Level Test" (MacMillan)

Take this online, interactive test from a publishing company to find out your reading level. You'll be asked a number of questions related to grammar and vocabulary.

"Reading Comprehension Practice Test" (ACCUPLACER)

ACCUPLACER is a placement test from The College Board. This 20-question practice test will help you see what information you retain after reading short passages.

"Reading Comprehension" ( English Maven )

The English Maven site has aggregated exercises and tests at various reading levels so you can quiz your reading comprehension skills.

How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension

"5 Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension" ( ThoughtCo )

ThoughtCo. recommends five tips to increase your reading comprehension ability, including reading with tools such as highlighters, and developing new vocabulary.

"How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips" (PrepScholar)

This blog post from PrepScholar provides ideas for improving your reading comprehension, from expanding your vocabulary to discussing texts with friends.

CrashCourse video: "Reading Assignments" (YouTube)

This CrashCourse video equips you with tools to read more effectively. It will help you determine how much material you need to read, and what strategies you can use to absorb what you read.

"Improving Reading Comprehension" ( Education Corner )

From a pre-reading survey through post-reading review, Education Corner  walks you through steps to improve reading comprehension.

Methods of In-text Annotation

"The Writing Process: Annotating a Text" (Hunter College)

This article from Hunter College’s Rockowitz Writing Center outlines how to take notes on a text and provides samples of annotation.

"How To Annotate Text While Reading" (YouTube)

This video from the SchoolHabits YouTube channel presents eleven annotation techniques you can use for better reading comprehension.

"5 Ways To Annotate Your Books" ( Book Riot )

This article from the Book Riot  blog highlights five efficient annotation methods that will save you time and protect your books from becoming cluttered with unnecessary markings.

"How Do You Annotate Your Books?" ( Epic Reads )

This post from Epic Reads highlights how different annotation methods work for different people, and showcases classic methods from sticky notes to keeping a reading notebook.

Students at every grade level can benefit from writing book reports, which sharpen critical reading skills. Here, we've aggregated sources to help you plan book report assignments and develop rubrics for written and oral book reports. You’ll also find alternative book report assessment ideas that move beyond the traditional formats.

Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write Book Reports

"Book Reports" ( Unique Teaching Resources )

These reading templates courtesy of Unique Teaching Resources make great visual aids for elementary school students writing their first book reports.

"Elementary Level Book Report Template" ( Teach Beside Me )

This   printable book report template from a teacher-turned-homeschooler is simple, classic, and effective. It asks basic questions, such as "who are the main characters?" and "how did you feel about the main characters?"

"Book Reports" ( ABC Teach )

ABC Teach ’s resource directory includes printables for book reports on various subjects at different grade levels, such as a middle school biography book report form and a "retelling a story" elementary book report template.

"Reading Worksheets" ( Busy Teacher's Cafe )

This page from Busy Teachers’ Cafe contains book report templates alongside reading comprehension and other language arts worksheets.

Teaching Middle School and High School Students How to Write Book Reports

"How to Write a Book Report: Middle and High School Level" ( Fact Monster)

Fact Monster ’s Homework Center discusses each section of a book report, and explains how to evaluate and analyze books based on genre for students in middle and high school.

"Middle School Outline Template for Book Report" (Trinity Catholic School)

This PDF outline template breaks the book report down into manageable sections for seventh and eighth graders by asking for specific information in each paragraph.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( Classroom )

In this article for Classroom,  Elizabeth Thomas describes what content high schoolers should focus on when writing their book reports.

"Forms for Writing a Book Report for High School" ( The Pen & The Pad )

Kori Morgan outlines techniques for adapting the book report assignment to the high school level in this post for The Pen & The Pad .

"High School Book Lists and Report Guidelines" (Highland Hall Waldorf School)

These sample report formats, grading paradigms, and tips are collected by Highland Hall Waldorf School. Attached are book lists by high school grade level.

Sample Rubrics

"Book Review Rubric Editable" (Teachers Pay Teachers)

This free resource from Teachers Pay Teachers allows you to edit your book report rubric to the specifications of your assignment and the grade level you teach.

"Book Review Rubric" (Winton Woods)

This PDF rubric from a city school district includes directions to take the assignment long-term, with follow-up exercises through school quarters.

"Multimedia Book Report Rubric" ( Midlink Magazine )

Perfect for oral book reports, this PDF rubric from North Carolina State University's Midlink Magazine  will help you evaluate your students’ spoken presentations.

Creative Book Report Assignments

"25 Book Report Alternatives" (Scholastic)

This article from the Scholastic website lists creative alternatives to the standard book report for pre-kindergarteners through high schoolers.

"Fresh Ideas for Creative Book Reports" ( Education World )

Education World offers nearly 50 alternative book report ideas in this article, from a book report sandwich to a character trait diagram.

"A Dozen Ways to Make Amazingly Creative Book Reports" ( We Are Teachers )

This post from We Are Teachers puts the spotlight on integrating visual arts into literary study through multimedia book report ideas.

"More Ideas Than You’ll Ever Use for Book Reports" (Teachnet.com)

This list from Teachnet.com includes over 300 ideas for book report assignments, from "interviewing" a character to preparing a travel brochure to the location in which the book is set.

"Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" (National Council of Teachers of English)

In this PDF resource from the NCTE's  English Journal,  Diana Mitchell offers assignment ideas ranging from character astrology signs to a character alphabet.

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A Beginner's Guide to Writing a Book Report (with Examples)

Last Updated: March 13, 2024 Fact Checked

• Researching
• Drafting the Report
• Reviewing & Revising

Sample Book Reports & Summaries

Expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,417,841 times.

A book report is a short essay that summarizes and analyzes a work of fiction or nonfiction. Writing a book report may not seem fun at first, but it gives you a great chance to fully understand a work and its author. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a book report, from choosing a book and outlining to drafting and editing your final paper.

Things You Should Know

• Read the entire book and take notes on important themes, characters, and events. Use your notes to create an outline with evidence that supports your analysis.
• Include the title and author in your intro, then summarize the plot, main characters, and setting of the book.
• Analyze the author’s writing style, as well as the main themes and arguments of the book. Include quotes and examples to support your statements.

Researching Your Book Report

• For example, find out if your teacher wants you to include citations, such as page numbers from the book, in your report.
• Ask your teacher how much of your paper to devote to summary versus analysis. Most book reports are direct summaries with objective analysis rather than your personal opinions. In contrast, a book review or commentary is more opinion-driven.

• Some popular books for book reports include To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Choose a book at your grade level.

• Author: Who wrote the book? Do you know any other works by this author?
• Genre: Is the book fiction or nonfiction? If it’s fiction, is it historical, fantasy, horror, etc.? If it’s nonfiction, is it a biography, memoir, science, etc.?
• Audience: Who would find this book appealing? Is it intended for a specific age range or gender? Do you typically enjoy books like this?
• Title: Does the title catch your interest? Does it fit well with the book’s content?
• Book Cover/Illustrations: What does the book cover convey and does it accurately represent the book? How do you feel when you look at it? If the book has illustrations, what are they and do they hold your interest?

• Take breaks while reading to keep your attention sharp. Try to find a pace that is comfortable for you. If you get distracted after 15 minutes, read in 15-minute intervals. If you can go an hour, read for an hour at a time.
• Give yourself enough time to read the entire book. It’s very difficult to write a book report if you’ve just skimmed over everything. Don’t procrastinate!
• Don’t trust online book summaries. You can’t guarantee that they are accurate or true to the text.

• For example, look for a sentence that clearly describes a main setting in the book, such as “The castle was gloomy and made out of large black stones.”

Outlining Your Book Report

• Introduction: Introduce the title, author, and publication information. Include a brief overview of the book’s genre and main theme, and state your purpose for writing the report.
• Summary: Concisely summarize the plot or central idea, highlighting main events, characters, and conflicts. Focus on important aspects while avoiding spoilers.
• Analysis and Evaluation: Evaluate the author’s writing style and use of literary devices, like foreshadowing, metaphors, imagery, etc. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the book and use quotes and examples from the text.
• Themes and Messages: Identify the book’s main themes or messages and how they develop through the course of the book. Provide specific quotes and examples.
• Character Analysis: Analyze the main characters in the book, their development, and their relationships. Explain their motivations, personalities, and significance to the story. Provide examples and quotes to support your analysis.
• Personal Reflection: Depending on your teacher’s instructions, you might share your personal opinions and discuss what you liked and disliked about the book. Reflect on how the book relates to broader themes or issues.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and conclude with your final thoughts or reflections on the book.
• Bibliography: If required, include a works cited page or bibliography listing all the sources you used to write your book report.
• Outlining takes time, but it saves you more time once you reach the editing stage.
• Some people prefer to outline with pen and paper, while others just type up a list on the computer. Choose the method that works best for you.

• Be careful not to overuse quotes. If it seems like every other line is a quote, try to dial back. Aim to include a maximum of one quotation per paragraph. Quotes and examples should still take a backseat to your summary.

• For example, you’ll likely need to focus primarily on discussing the most important characters or the characters that appear most frequently in the text.
• When you are finished with your outline, go back through it to see if it makes sense. If the paragraphs don’t flow into one another, move them around or add/delete new ones until they do.
• Also, check to see if your outline covers all of the major elements of the book, such as the plot, characters, and setting.

Writing Your Book Report

• For example, a sentence summary might state, “This book is about the main character’s journey to Africa and what she learns on her travels.”
• Don’t take up too much space with your introduction. In general, an introduction should be 3-6 sentences long, though in rare cases, they may be longer or shorter.

• Use vivid language when you can and include plenty of details. For example, you might write, “The farm was surrounded by rolling hills.”

• For instance, if the main character moves to Africa, you might describe what happens before the move, how the move goes, and how they settle in once they arrive.

• For example, you might write that the main character is “a middle-aged woman who enjoys the finer things in life, such as designer clothes.” Then, connect this description to the plot summary by describing how her views change after her travels, if they do.
• Expect to introduce the characters in the same sentences and paragraphs as the plot introduction.

• You might write, “The author argues that travel gives you a new perspective. That is why her main characters all seem happier and more grounded after visiting new places.”
• For fiction, determine if the author is using the story to pass along a certain moral or lesson. For example, a book about an underdog athlete could encourage readers to take chances to pursue their dreams.

• For example, an author who uses lots of slang terms is probably going for a hip, approachable style.

• Some teachers require, or strongly suggest, that you include the author’s name and the book title in your concluding paragraph.
• When writing a conclusion , don’t introduce any new thoughts. Any important points should be made in your body paragraphs. Save the space for your recap.

Reviewing and Revising Your Book Report

• Before you submit your paper, make sure that you’ve spelled the author’s name and any character names correctly.
• Don’t trust your computer’s spell check to catch all the errors for you. Spell check can be helpful, but it isn’t perfect and can make mistakes.

• If you’re nervous about asking, try saying something like “It would be great if you could go over my book report and make sure that it reads smoothly.”
• Remember, no one’s first draft is perfect, so don’t get upset if someone suggests you do something differently. They want to help make your report the best it can be, so don’t take constructive criticism personally.

• For example, double-check that you are using the correct font, font size, and margins.
• Once you've finished proofreading, revising, and checking that you've addressed all the requirements, you're ready to submit your book report!

• Even though your book report is your own work, avoid using “I” too much. It can make your writing feel choppy. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• It might be tempting to watch the movie or read the online notes instead of reading the book. Resist this urge! Your teacher will be able to tell the difference. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• Calm down and walk around if you get too frustrated while writing. If you write a book report while angry, you're more likely to misspell things!
• Choose a unique book. Harry Potter or Percy Jackson is an absolute no. Everyone chooses those. Try something different!
• Write when anything comes to mind! You don't want to lose your ideas!

• Give yourself plenty of time to write your report. Don’t wait until the last minute or you may feel rushed. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Stealing or using another person’s work is considered plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Make sure that the work you submit is all your own. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.aresearchguide.com/write-book-report.html
• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
• ↑ https://grammark.org/how-to-write-a-book-report/
• ↑ https://library.valleycollege.edu/elements_of_book_report.pdf
• ↑ https://takelessons.com/blog/steps-to-writing-a-book-report
• ↑ https://www.infoplease.com/homework-help/homework-center-writing-book-report
• ↑ https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-setting
• ↑ https://www.tcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/archive/writing-center-handouts/essay-types-plot-summary.pdf
• ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

To write a book report, start by introducing the author and the name of the book and then briefly summarizing the story. Next, discuss the main themes and point out what you think the author is trying to suggest to the reader. Finally, write about the author’s style of writing, paying particular attention to word choice and the overall tone of the book. For tips on editing and polishing your paper before turning it in, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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10 Steps to Writing a Successful Book Report

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A book report should contain the basic elements, but a good book report will address a specific question or point of view and back up this topic with specific examples, in the form of symbols and themes. These steps will help you identify and incorporate those important elements in a process that takes three to four days.

How To Write a Book Report

• Have an objective in mind, if possible. Your objective is the main point you want to argue or the question you plan to answer. Sometimes your teacher will offer a question for you to answer as part of your assignment, which makes this step easy. If you have to come up with your own focal point for your paper, you may have to wait and develop the objective while reading and reflecting on the book.
• Keep supplies on hand when you read. This is very important. Keep sticky-note flags, pen, and paper nearby as you read. Don't try to take "mental notes." It just doesn't work.
• Read the book. As you read, keep an eye out for clues that the author has provided in the form of symbolism. These will indicate some important point that supports the overall theme. For instance, a spot of blood on the floor, a quick glance, a nervous habit, an impulsive action--these are worth noting.
• Use your sticky flags to mark pages. When you run into any clues, mark the page by placing the sticky note at the beginning of the relevant line. Mark everything that piques your interest, even if you don't understand their relevance.
• Note possible themes or patterns that emerge. As you read and record emotional flags or signs, you will begin to see a point or a pattern. On a notepad, write down possible themes or issues. If your assignment is to answer a question, you will record how symbols address that question.
• Label your sticky flags. If you see a symbol repeated several times, you should indicate this somehow on the sticky flags, for easy reference later. For instance, if blood shows up in several scenes, write a "b" on the relevant flags for blood. This may become your major book theme, so you'll want to navigate between the relevant pages easily.
• Develop a rough outline. By the time you finish reading the book , you will have recorded several possible themes or approaches to your objective. Review your notes and try to determine which view or claim you can back up with good examples (symbols). You may need to play with a few sample outlines to pick the best approach.
• Develop paragraph ideas. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and a sentence that transitions to the next paragraph. Try writing these first, then filling out the paragraphs with your examples (symbols). Don't forget to include the basics for every book report in your first paragraph or two.
• Review, re-arrange, repeat. At first, your paragraphs are going to look like ugly ducklings. They will be clunky, awkward, and unattractive in their early stages. Read them over, re-arrange and replace sentences that don't quite fit. Then review and repeat until the paragraphs flow.
• Re-visit your introductory paragraph. The introductory paragraph will make the critical first impression of your paper. It should be great. Be sure it is well-written, interesting, and it contains a strong thesis sentence .

The objective: Sometimes it is possible to have a clear objective in mind before you start . Sometimes, it is not. If you have to come up with your own thesis, don't stress about a clear objective in the beginning. It will come later.

Recording emotional flags: Emotional flags are merely points in the book that bring about emotion. Sometimes, the smaller the better. For example, for an assignment for The Red Badge of Courage , the teacher might ask students to address whether they believe Henry, the main character, is a hero. In this book, Henry sees lots of blood (emotional symbol) and death (emotional symbol) and this causes him to run away from the battle at first (emotional response). He is ashamed (emotion).

Book report basics: In your first paragraph or two, you should include the book setting, time period, characters, and your thesis statement (objective).

Re-visiting the introductory paragraph: The introductory paragraph should be the last paragraph you complete. It should be mistake-free and interesting. It should also contain a clear thesis. Don't write a thesis early on in the process and forget about it. Your point of view or argument may change completely as you re-arrange your paragraph sentences. Always check your thesis sentence last.

• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• How to Write a Great Book Report
• How to Write a Response Paper
• How to Start a Book Report
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• How to Develop a Research Paper Timeline
• The Introductory Paragraph: Start Your Paper Off Right
• 6 Steps to Writing the Perfect Personal Essay
• Tips for Writing an Art History Paper
• How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
• How to Write a Research Paper That Earns an A
• How to Write a Great Process Essay
• How to Understand a Difficult Reading Passage
• How to Remember What You Read
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• What Is Expository Writing?

• BookWidgets Teacher Blog

15 Creative and digital book report ideas that will get your students excited to read

Not all students are excited to read a book. So how can you make reading a book more engaging and fun? This is a huge challenge for most teachers, so I hope I can help you out!

Here’s what you’ll find in this blog post (click on the title if you want to jump to the section directly)

5 tips to get your students excited about reading

• 15 creative and digital book report lesson plans (free & ready to use!)
• The complete collection of book report lesson ideas in one assignment (your students get to choose!)

Instructions on how to use these digital book report lesson activities

Before you dive into the book reports, you have to get your students excited about reading first. In this previous post about reading, I’ve listed 10 tips that will encourage your students to read . I’ve come up with 5 more amazing tips! Here we go:

1. Use AR apps

Here are a few apps with amazing storylines and AR books.

• Wonderscope , for example, is an excellent storytelling tool. It uses augmented reality to transform ordinary places into real-time stories. Students also learn to read with the app. They ask questions to the characters in the story and listen to the characters’ answers.
• The Ghostkeeper’s journal and field guide : This book is an immersive adventure for readers aged 10 and up, offering several AR experiences to enhance the storyline. These are accessed via a mobile app “ Ghost-o-Matic ”.
• Bookful creates an engaging reading experience and brings stories and characters in books to life. The app holds the world’s largest 3D/AR library with hundreds of titles from leading publishers and brands such as: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, DK’s Encyclopedia, and children’s favorites such as Barbie, My Little Pony, Thomas & Friends, Transformers, and The Smurfs.

2. Escape lessons

Here are 3 fun ready-to-use escape lessons to spark your students’ joy of reading:

• A Halloween Murder : Let your students investigate the murder of the victim: Brat Spook. When they find the murderer, they get their “inspector” badge. Let them look for evidence in the murder scene, talk to suspects, analyze lab results, and so on!
• Finding Rudolph : Save Christmas by helping Santa find back Rudolph. Students go through different challenges, talk to eye-witnesses, and follow Rudolph through a winter maze, so Santa can deliver all the presents to the children.
• Easter Bunny Substitute : Can your students find a good Easter Bunny replacement? In the last breakout game for the classroom, the Easter Bunny is hurt, so your students need to interview the possible applicants and take tests to replace the Easter Bunny themselves. If they succeed in the challenges, they get an Easter Bunny substitute badge.

3. Storytelling

If you bring cultural elements into your lessons by telling a story, your students will be more eager to learn. Storytelling makes students want to “live the story”. And they do this by reading it. If your story is strong enough, your students will love learning and reading. They will even remember the lesson content better.

Here’s a fun & ready-to-use example: The life of William Shakespeare

4. First chapters

5. Books & sleepovers

You can even add different parts to your sleepover. For example, let students read their favorite passage in a book of choice out loud, and 1 hour before bedtime, all your students take their book and read in silence. Or how about creating cozy themed corners? Fantasy, science fiction, detectives,… When your students are reading in themed corners, they get the full experience. They can even dress up as a character in their book whilst reading.

15 Creative and digital book report lesson plans

Step 1: Get your students excited about reading. ✅ Step 2: make sure they don’t lose their interest when you’re announcing the book report assignment! ☑️ This part can be demotivating.

As the lower grade students often still get fun book report assignments, the higher grade students often get a dull worksheet where they have to describe the characters and give a summary. Change up your book report assignments with these creative, free & ready-to-use lesson ideas.

Take a look at all these ready-to-use and free digital book report activities. They’re all made with BookWidgets . You can even make exercises like these yourself in your own BookWidgets account.

Keep on reading to find out how to use these exercises in your lessons.

How did your students experience the book? Let them fill the glasses with drawings of the storyline/the book. The glasses represent the view of the students. Students can get really creative and use the toolbar at the bottom to draw and type.

You can ask your students to present their book report artworks to the other students as well. This way, your students can explain what’s on their drawing.

2. Bookworm

3. Timeline

This interactive book report asks your students to create a timeline of the story. When did what happen, chronologically? The have to add the biggest events in the story to the timeline.

4. Comic book

In this book report exercise, your students have to write a comic book based upon the book they’ve just read. When they click on the “start” icon, they can choose fitting text balloons to go with their story.

Here are three other fun websites that let students create comic books: Storyboard That , Comic Life , and Toonytool . They already give you creative templates and drawings. This is a bit easier for students. This way, they don’t have to start from scratch.

5. Character portrait

6. Randomness task

Just… add a little spice. I’ve turned the ordinary book report task, where students have to describe characters, the setting, plot, etc., into an exciting one. Your students don’t know yet what they’ll have to describe. They spin the randomness wheel and their task appears. The fun thing about this one is that all of your students will write a different book report.

7. Book cover

Here, students get to be creative and invent their own book cover (front and back) of the book they just read. Or maybe just a cover for of a piece of text you’ve read out loud. They can use the whiteboard tools: pencil, type tool, switch colors, add images, etc.

8. Character family tree

This digital mind map exercise allows your students to add boxes with text and connect them to each other. This is perfect for a book report activity focusing on the characters in their book.

9. Facebook Profile

Modern days call for modern book report lesson ideas. Image the main character having a Facebook profile. What would be on it? That’s exactly what your students have to figure out here. Create a Facebook profile about the main character.

10. Book Collage

Here, students have to add 10 pictures or images that have to do with the book. They can do so by clicking on the photo icon and adding images into their collage.

11. Mirror selfie

In this creative book report, students have to dress up like the character in their book, including holding 3 attributes that refer to the personality of the main character. They have to take a picture or mirror selfie of themselves dressed up, and add that picture to the whiteboard. You can ask them to come forward and present their images and explain why they’ve chosen those specific attributes.

The fun thing about all of these exercises is that they work on smartphones as well. So in this case, students can just open the exercise on their smartphones, take a mirror selfie with their phones and add it to the mirror in the digital whiteboard exercise.

12. Email to the author

Your students have the chance to write a friendly email or letter to the author of the book they just read. Students have to share:

• their opinion;
• the character in the book they liked most, and why;
• their favorite part of the book and why;
• questions that they have about the book.

If you have an email address of the author, ask your students to submit their works to you, the teacher, first. After having given feedback on their letters, they can make some changes and send it over to the author.

If you have the author’s postal address, it’s much more fun to write a classic letter.

13. Conversation between characters

There is something called a “texting thumb” or a “smartphone pinky”. This shows that students like to send texts. A lot of them. So why not include it in your book report lesson plan? In this digital book report, students have to invent a conversation between two characters in their book.

14. Movie vs. Book

A lot of books have a movie version too. If your students choose a book that also has a movie, it’s interesting to let your students make a comparison. With this book report exercise, you’re also sure your students actually read the book instead of just watching the movie and write a summary of the movie and not the book.

15. Emoji summary

The last exercise is also one students can relate to. Nowadays, we use emojis after almost every sentence when we’re communicating with friends. Emojis also have a strong meaning and can be used to express feelings or say something without actually saying it.

The complete collection of book report lesson ideas in one assignment

All these book report exercises are so much fun and yet they don’t take up a lot of time. Perhaps they just ask your students to only describe a certain part about the book. Cue… the planner widget.

With this type of BookWidgets activity, you can combine several lessons into one. You can let your students take matters into their own hands and choose which book report activities they’d like to finish.

It’s actually pretty easy. Your students read the instructions in the instructions widget and then start adding at least three book report activities to their planner. They finish the activities, submit them to their teacher, check off their planner, and that’s it!

Above, you can find the 15 ready-to-use book report activities. You can use these lesson examples for free. Since they’re all made with BookWidgets, I’ve listed them in this BookWidgets group . Here’s what you need to do:

• Click on this link . It will immediately bring you to the group with all of the book report activities. If you don’t have a BookWidgets account yet, you’ll have to sign up first for free .
• Duplicate all the book report activities. Click on the settings wheel , select all widgets , click on the settings wheel again, choose duplicate selected widgets . Choose where you want to save the activities in your BookWidgets account.
• Go to your saved book report lessons. You can now click on the black dropdown arrow next to the ‘Show’ button of a particular exercise and select Edit . You can make some changes to this activity (if you want). If it’s perfect for you, click on Share in the upper right corner.
• Share this link with your students. When they click on it, they can fill it out. A lot of the book report examples above have been made with BookWidgets’ Whiteboard widget, in which students can use the tool menu at the bottom to switch tools (draw, type,…), and to switch colors. When done, they can submit the book reports to you by clicking on the envelope in the upper right corner.
• As a teacher, you go to “Grades & reporting” in BookWidgets to find your students’ answers.

Of course, now that you’ve got your own BookWidgets account, you can also create book report activities or other assignments yourself!

Attention! Once your free trial runs out, you’ll only be able to use the widgets you’ve already finished/shared with students. While your BookWidgets account will still work and you’ll still get your students’ results with the free BookWidgets version, you won’t be able to duplicate widgets nor create new widgets yourself anymore.

So that’s it! I hope these lesson ideas are useful for your classroom or at least give you lots of new ideas for your book report lessons! You can even create ones yourself!

Create your first digital book report with BookWidgets

Have fun, share this with fellow teachers and keep on rocking your classroom!

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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

6. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

8. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. See the sandwich and pizza options above and check out this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

10. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

12. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over the report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint. Get step-by-step directions .

14. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

15. Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

16. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

18. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

20. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

21. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

23. Book Report Triorama

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but Elisha Ann provides a lesson to show students how to glue four triangles together to make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

25. Clothes Hanger Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then give them a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

27. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels , and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

29. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Author

Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

33. Cereal Box TV Book Report

This book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut-out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

34. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

36. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach , this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

37. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment. For more, here are step-by-step directions .

38. Comic strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strips. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

39. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

40. Cereal Box

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report Wheaties-style. Decorate all sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a “wanted” poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most popular kids’ books in every grade..

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The Ultimate Book Project Timeline

Well, now, the answer is: YES, I can give you one of the most beautiful, practical, versatile, customizable book project timelines out there. Why is this the Ultimate Book Project Timeline? Let’s break it down.

You need to see every phase of moving from vague ideas to writing through editing and revisions, and on into publishing and launching.

You are the project manager, and you need a tool that’ll help you maintain the broad view of the project, without losing sight of your end goal. You need to be able to see each phase, with a short description of what happens in that phase, without getting bogged down in the details. As you approach each phase, then you can research and hire freelancers to help you get through that phase, but you’ll be able to see how that phase leads into the next, so that you can make sure you’re working toward the end goal of a published book.

You need to see approximately how much time each phase should take.

Now, I will admit that there is some wiggle room, here. I have worked with writers who are intense focusers and want to get a book done in 90 days. We do that. Heck, my own first book was done in just over 90 days. But I’ve also worked with writers who want more time to process (which is completely fine ) and would prefer more like six months to write and publish the book.

So, tell you what I’ve done. I’ve made two Ultimate Book Project Timelines, one for 90 days and one for 6 months. They’re both available for free download just below on this page.

You can look at both the 90-day and the 6-month timelines, plug in real dates, and see which one feels more exciting, enthusing, and energizing to you. If you look at how much each phase could take in the 90-day book project timeline and get that nervous/excited energy that screams, “I could be done with my book January 2017!” then, hey, you’ve got it all mapped out for you.

But if you see those dates and start feeling like the walls are closing in on you, you can just open up the six-month book project timeline and see more space for each phase and breathe easier.

I want to note that I would like you to push yourself to pick one of the two timelines and do your best to commit to the timeframes I’ve recommended. It’s far too easy to spend years writing your book, and that usually happens when you don’t have focus or commitment. With focus and commitment (and a book project timeline), it is completely reasonable to finish your book in either 90 days or six months.

You need to be able to adjust your dates easily, if surprises pop up in life.

Life happens, I get it. You start out with the best of intentions to finally finish a project, and week #2 into making real progress, a family member gets sick, your computer dies, your spouse gets let go, your kid needs counseling or treatment, you need counseling, your car has to be replaced. There are so many things that can go wrong in life, it’s amazing we get anything done.

You need a way to see that it’s possible to recover from missing a few weeks of progress. This book project timeline is fully adjustable. Just change one of the dates, and all the other dates just auto-adjust, like magic. It’s basically the Ultimate, Magical Book Project Timeline.

Plus, it’s pretty, I’ve just got to say.

And you can download this book project timeline for FREE, right here, right now:

Here are the Ultimate Book Project Timelines (you’ll get both the 90-day and the 6-month):

I’ll be sending you instructions on how to customize the timeline (don’t worry, it’s super easy).

Tell me, are you the type of person that needs to see every phase laid out in a project? Or do you prefer to just take one step a time, figuring it out as you go?

You may also like, tropes & universal fantasies: what’s the difference, crafting the written word: insights from morgan gist macdonald, which "publishing path" is right for your book.

There are FOUR different publishing paths for the modern author. Ready to discover which one's right for YOUR book?

How To Write a Book Report?

• Smodin Editorial Team
• Published: May 30, 2024

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in middle school or tackling a college-level project; writing a book report that’s clear and impressive isn’t easy. But this isn’t entirely true, as you need to know how to go about it.

In this guide, we will walk you through different steps to writing a book report. From preparing to writing an engaging plot summary to creating a strong critical analysis, we’ll share different examples and the best ways to write a book report that can earn you good grades.

Keep reading on with these easy tips, and you’ll soon master the steps and impress your teachers and professors!

1. Preparing To Write a Book Report

Before you start writing a book report, a little preparation can go a long way in making the writing process easier.

The first step in learning how to write a book report is gathering all the information you need. Once you’ve gotten it together, it’s a simple matter of organizing your thoughts. Follow these steps.

• Read the book : Start by reading the entire book, even if it’s non-fiction, to understand the story and important plot points. Take notes while reading to identify the main characters, major themes, and key events. Be sure to highlight memorable passages or specific examples that stand out.
• Understand the assignment: Make sure you know the requirements, like the correct font, word count, and any specific guidelines. Find out whether the book report should include a critical analysis, personal opinion, or character analysis.
• Outline your report : Create a basic outline to help guide your writing. Divide your report into logical sections, like an introductory paragraph, plot summary, body paragraphs, and concluding paragraphs. This also involves jotting down key elements to include in each section, like a thesis statement or the main points of your argument.
• Research background information : Google the book’s title, author’s writing style, publication date, and brief description to get some more context. You might also want to explore the book cover to see how it might influence your understanding of the book.
• Organize your thoughts: Studies have found a direct link between note-taking and academic success, showing just how important notes can be in various contexts. Arrange your notes to focus on the main themes, important aspects of the plot, and your personal thoughts. Then, think about how you’ll analyze the author’s writing style and use of literary devices.

2. Write the Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your entire book report. It’s your best chance to grab the reader’s attention while giving them key background information and framing your main points. Here’s how you can create an introductory paragraph that captivates readers and leaves them wanting to learn more.

• Introduce the book : Always start with the book’s title in quotation marks or italics, then include the writer’s name right after. It’s also important to provide the publication date and any historical context that’s relevant to understanding the book, like ongoing conflict or a recent invention.
• Provide a brief overview : Provide a very concise summary of the entire book to give readers an idea of what to expect. Highlight the book’s genre and a brief description of the setting. You should also mention whether it’s a fiction or non-fiction book.
• Present the thesis statement : This is pretty much the central point or argument that your report will make. This may require some practice, but formulate a clear thesis statement that reflects your analysis of the book. Your thesis should reveal the main themes, key elements, and specific examples that you’ll discuss in the body paragraphs.
• Engage the reader : Open with a catchy hook, like a vivid quote from the book or an interesting fact about the author. You could also pose a question or make a surprising statement related to the book’s major themes. When doing this, be sure to use vivid language to make the reader curious.
• Stay clear and concise : Avoid loading the introduction with too many details. Remember that you want to leave the reader with just enough, so they crave more information. Keep it brief and focused.
• Practice your thesis statement : Don’t just stick with the first thesis statement that you create. Revise it a couple of times until it illustrates your main argument in a way that’s clear and interesting.
• Be specific : Make sure the thesis statement is specific and directly relates to the analysis you’re about to present.
• Preview the structure : Give a hint of what readers will find in the body paragraphs, like theme analysis or character analysis.

3. Write the Plot Summary

When your plot summary has been written well, readers will get a nice idea of the story. They’ll also learn important aspects of the book’s events and themes.

• Always start with the basics. Briefly state the book’s title and the main character’s name.
• Provide a brief summary of the setting to help readers visualize where the story is happening.
• The next step is outlining key events, which involves identifying the major happenings or plot points that define the story.
• Sum up how the plot develops from the beginning to the climax and resolution, focusing on the book’s central conflict and main events.
• Avoid spoilers: For longer book reports, be careful not to reveal too much about the ending.
• Stay true to the story: Ensure your summary accurately represents the author’s writing style and the book’s themes.
• Keep taking notes: As you write the summary, refer back to the notes you made while reading. This will ensure you’ve captured all the key points.

While writing the plot summary, it’s important to keep it concise and clear. Don’t try to squeeze in every single detail; highlight only the essential plot points. If relevant, mention significant literary devices that the author used. This is often elements like foreshadowing or symbolism but don’t go into too much detail while mentioning these.

Connect major events to the book’s major themes or underlying message. This will help show how the actions of the main characters shape the story’s progression.

Throughout this, it’s also important to stay neutral and be chronological. The plot summary should be an objective recount of the story, not a subjective critique. Save personal opinions for the analysis and conclusion. Along with this, be sure to present the story’s events in the same order as they happen in the book. This helps keep the flow logical.

4. Write the Analysis

Writing a strong analysis can take your book report to another level. It can also show how well you understand the book’s themes, characters, and key details. Here’s how to craft a thoughtful analysis:

• Highlight the main themes: Identify the book’s primary themes and how they impact the story. You then have to explain how these themes affect the main character and their development throughout the story. Provide specific examples that illustrate how the author explores these themes.
• Conduct a character analysis: Focus on the main character, explaining their motivations, what makes them tick, and their role in the plot. After doing that, analyze how their actions shape the story and how they evolve over time. Discuss relationships between the main character and others to reveal more about the book’s relationship dynamics.
• Examine literary devices : Book reports often fall short when they overlook the writing style and use of literary devices. Unpack the symbolism, imagery, or motifs that deepen the book’s themes or enhance the plot. Mention how these devices contribute to the overall impact of the book.
• Offer critical insights : Break down the way the author writes to influence the book’s tone. It’s important to compare the book with other works by the same author or similar books to offer perspective. Give the reader a brief book review within the report that highlights its strengths and weaknesses while supporting your analysis.
• Stay focused on key details : Keep the analysis aligned with your thesis statement and only discuss relevant points. Be sure to organize your analysis in a way that makes sense to the reader.

5. Write the Conclusion

The conclusion is the final step in the process and if you get it right, you could have a pretty good report on your hands. This section should neatly wrap up your book by summarizing key points and providing a final thought. Here’s how to go about it.

• Restate the thesis statement : Begin your conclusion by restating the thesis statement but differently. The goal here is to summarize your main argument, tying it to your analysis of the book’s theme, characters, and plot.
• Recap key points : Provide a concise summary of the key points you discussed in the body paragraphs, like the main themes, character development, and writing style used. You should also highlight the most crucial insights that your book report offered without creating repetition.
• Connect to the introduction : Tie your conclusion back to the introductory paragraph by referring to the initial hook or question posed at the start. This will create a satisfying sense of closure in your report.
• Offer final thoughts : If appropriate, share your personal opinion about the book as a whole and whether it met your expectations. Suggest who might enjoy reading this book and offer recommendations.
• Leave a strong impression : End your conclusion with a powerful statement that makes the reader think about the book and your analyses. You could also consider linking the book’s themes or lessons to broader ideas or other books.

Additional Tips for Writing a Book Report

Before you rush to start writing, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

• Find an interesting book : Pick a book that genuinely interests you. Your enthusiasm will reflect in your writing and keep you motivated throughout the writing process.
• Don’t read tired: This is a big mistake as you won’t be able to effectively digest all that the book has to offer. Remember that this is a book report and not just reading for enjoyment. So, always opt to read with fresh eyes to accurately identify key elements and take notes.
• Use quotations sparingly : Only include the most impactful quotes that directly support your analysis.
• Find a different angle : This is particularly applicable if you’re doing a report on a popular book. Try to bring in a new perspective or interpretation that shakes things up a little. Mind you, it’s important not to force it. The new perspective that you bring should still make sense in line with the book’s themes.
• Stay on topic: When a book is interesting, it might be tempting to want to include and link every single element. Don’t do that. Ensure each paragraph aligns with your thesis statement and provides valuable insights.
• Proofread and revise : Check for clarity, spelling, and grammar errors to ensure your report is polished and well-structured.

Make Writing a Book Report Easy With Smodin

Smodin provides AI-powered tools that simplify writing a book report. Here are some features that could help:

• AI Writer : Generate high-quality, structured text complete with references, making it a lot easier to write your book report.
• Summarizer : Quickly create concise note summaries. Helps you condense key details into a brief overview for your report. You can also use this to provide a good overview of the book.
• Citation Machine : Automatically generate accurate references in MLA and APA formats. Adds credibility to your analysis.
• Homework Solver : Use this tool to find answers to any questions you have while preparing your report.
• AI Grader : Get detailed feedback to help you refine your arguments and writing style.

And there you have it, everything you need to know about how to write a good book report. Trust us: if you follow these steps, you’ll confidently craft each section and leave your assessors with a book report that’ll be the golden standard.

Remember to find an engaging book, organize your ideas, and use practical tools like Smodin to make the writing process easier.

• Create a Timeline

Create Detailed Timelines to Keep Track of Characters & Plots for Your Fiction Writing

From creating a single timeline of a character's life to visualizing a complex plot history, Preceden can help you hold your fictional worlds together.

Preceden makes it easy to create multiple timelines to keep track of various aspects of my novels — from creating a single timeline for a character and plotting their life, to an entire fictional history I have created for my novel. Preceden is incredibly valuable for storing information about the places and people we are creating. It has helps us hold our fictional world together across both time and space. Read More Kate Freeman Novelist

Organize Complex Plots & Character Arcs

By keeping track of your story's plot and characters in a visual timeline, you'll be able to see when all of the events happen relative to other events, allowing you to see relationships and address plot holes that you may have otherwised missed.

Visualize Complex Stories

With event notes, approximate start and end dates, flexible date formats, images, icons, and much more, you'll have everything you need to create clear character and plot timelines.

Share and Collaborate with Ease

At any point you can invite others to collaborate on your timeline or you can share it in a variety of ways such as by link, PDF, image, or many other formats.

Everything You Need to Create a Timeline for Your Fiction Writing

Here's why Preceden is the perfect timeline creator for authors like you.

Drag and Drop

Reposition events in seconds to adjust adjust dates or how your timeline is laid out.

View all of your plot's events at once or zoom in to focus on a specific period.

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Highlight relationships by visually connecting events on your timeline.

Bulk Editor

Add events individually or take advantage of our bulk editor to add multiple events quickly.

Time Support

Specify specific times for when events started and ended for more granular timelines.

Privacy Controls

Control who can see your timeline by making it public, private, password-protected, or accessible via a secret URL.

Upload images or search the web for creative commons photos to display on your timelines.

Choose from one of our themes to customize the appearance of your timelines.

Approximate Dates

Mark event dates as approximate to signal to viewers that the exact date is unknown.

Search & Filter

Filter events in your novel's timeline with Preceden's built-in search tool.

Optional End Dates

Visualize events as a bar (for events with an end date) or as an icon (for events without an end date).

Choose from over 4,600 icons to better convey what events represent.

Add additional details by adding notes about events, layers, and the timeline itself.

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Use our date picker to quickly select a date or type it in for greater control over the format.

What Authors are Saying About Preceden

Working on my novel with such an expansive chronology is no longer difficult to manage now that I have Preceden to help. The many tools it offers my timeline allow me to see the bigger picture of my story, like marking important events for my characters. I no longer have to deal with making eraser marks or fitting all the details onto a single page; Preceden allows for a malleable timeline which I can change as I see fit. Steve Solano Author

As a speaker, author, and blogger who deals with historical events, Preceden is an invaluable tool. Preceden helps me organize historical information into a clear, attractive, and information-rich format, which is exactly what people are looking for. With its ability to categorize people and information from thousands of years ago, I have yet to find a timeline system that works as well as Preceden. Daniel Pentimone Author

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After you sign up , you'll set the timeline's name (such as the name of your story) and select from one of our beautifully designed themes. As you add events Preceden will automatically update the timeline visualization to take into account the new events.

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Yes, Preceden has a generous free plan that lets you create unlimited timelines with up to 10 events each at no cost to you. We also have paid plans that let you create timelines with unlimited events and also offer more advanced functionality.

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[PDF Template] Creating a Timeline for a Book about your Life

The best place to start.

If you’re writing a book about your life, creating a timeline is an essential step. While your story is based on your own experiences, it’s easy to forget important moments — unless it is all laid out clearly in front of you. A timeline provides clarity and structure for your life story.

However, creating a timeline doesn’t mean you have to tell your story chronologically - in fact, it can make it easier to get creative with the structure of your book. What you’ll come away with is a complete overview - making it easier to identify themes. A timeline establishes your content, structure and theme in a clear and concise format, ready for you to start writing your book about your life.

To help, we’ve created a timeline template for you to fill in. Download it here - and then follow the steps below.

Download our timeline template!

Download Now (Click Here)  

Step 1: Brainstorm

First of all, start by writing down all the important moments in your story. We recommend talking to your friends and family, which will give you a different perspective, and bring up memories you may have forgotten. Additionally, if you’re feeling stuck, have a browse through our handy memory prompts   to get you started.

Step 2: Fill your timeline template with all the key events in your list

Secondly, filter through your gathered information, highlighting key events that you want to include in your life story. These memories can be your fondest, your funniest and most uplifting. Alternatively, they could be your most difficult, challenging or upsetting. Choose a start and end point and fill in everything in between. If you can remember exact dates, that’s great - but getting things roughly in the right order will still be useful.

Try splitting the timeline into sections. We suggest childhood, adolescence, adulthood and those golden years. You may find it easier to compartmentalize your memories this way, and pick out the ones that are most significant.

Step 3: Reflect on the results, and fill in the gaps

Now you have the ‘tent-poles’ of your timeline in place, it’s time to fill in the gaps and above all, think about what your results mean. To connect your key events, add in any other relevant or interesting details that you want to include.

All done? Congratulations, you’ve taken a big step towards telling your story. Your key events will help you to inform your decisions regarding chapters and structure, potentially becoming your chapter titles, with the details becoming your chapter content.

Want to take it to the next level?

If so - ask yourself, how do you feel about what’s in front of you? Are any themes starting to emerge? Try labeling or highlighting your timeline to bring out the common threads.

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How to Write a Book Report (+ a FREE Step-by-Step Printable for Your Kids)

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure  HERE .

We read a lot of books (homeschool moms, can you relate?). Right now, we are reading the Harry Potter series together as a family, and as my kids have grown, it’s been fun to see them become more interested in reading for fun. As part of our homeschooling this year, we have been learning how to write a book report, which has been a great way for me to evaluate how well my kids are understanding what they read.

My son is in 3rd grade this year and recently had a book report as one of his assignments in English. While there were a couple of steps given to him, he struggled with the process and actually putting the book report together. So I decided to create a step-by-step book report printable to help him learn how to write a book report.

I hope these printables will be a big help to your kids, too! They will walk your kids through the steps of organizing their book report, writing a draft, revising and proofreading, and writing a final copy. Plus, I’ve included a rubric for you that you can use to give helpful feedback if you’d like.

Not only will this template help your kids learn how to write a book report, but they will be fun to add to your homeschool portfolio and look back on in the future.

Why Should You Use Book Reports in Your Homeschool?

Writing a book report or using an organizer to respond to what they have read is a great way to help your kids with their reading comprehension . It’s also fun to see their unique writing styles come to light and learn what they think about the books they have read.

Plus, I have found that incorporating book reports into our homeschool is a fun way for my kids to practice their writing skills because they get to write about a book they have loved. My son doesn’t necessarily love to write, so making the writing topic interesting is really important in our current season.

They also will obviously get to practice their handwriting, and you can include an oral presentation component if you’d like to as well!

Teach Your Kids How to Write a Book Report

A book report is just what it sounds like – a detailed report your kids will write after reading a book. In the report, they will give a summary of the book and share some of the important plot points, as well as share their opinion of the book.

When my son first attempted to do his book report from his English assignment, he struggled with what to write, and how to pull it all together in one cohesive report. I wanted to really lay out the process for him, to break it down into manageable steps .

If your child is new to writing book reports, I would recommend doing the first one together . Choose a book you have been reading aloud as a family (or a new one to read together), so you can then walk through the template and process with them.

If you are reading the book together, model how to take notes of important characters and plot points as you read . These notes will be great to reference later when writing the report.

Once you are finished reading and taking notes, grab your book report template and work through the process of putting together the report ( this printable makes it so easy! ).

My Book Report Template for Kids

There are many options out there with ideas for creative and different styles of book reports (I love these ideas from We Are Teachers), but if you are looking for a simple way for your elementary-aged student to organize their thoughts into a basic book report, these are for you.

The pages include:

• 2 Book Report Planning Pages where your kids will organize their thoughts about the main characters, important plot events, and what they learned and liked about the book. They will also have space to draw out their favorite scene from the story.
• First Draft Pages where they will write a rough draft. These sheets also include checklists that will walk them through the revision and proofreading process.
• My Book Report Pages where your kids will write their final copy of their book report.
• Book Report Rubric which is a sheet you can use to offer comments and suggestions on their work, if desired.
• Reading Log page that your kids can use to keep track of what they are reading (great for your homeschool record keeping as well!)

Using a template like this will help your kids organize their thoughts in the planning pages, so it’s easier for them to put the final review together. They will see all of the important parts that need to go into their book reports, which will help them learn how to write effective reviews and recommendations.

Printable Book Report Template

I’d love for this book report template to be a blessing to you and your family as well! Grab it below when you join my subscriber list – I love to send out freebies, homeschool tips, inspiration and more as I go through my own homeschooling journey.

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And if you love all of those, take a peek at my shop where I share some other helpful printables I’ve created for your home and homeschool.

Drop a comment below and let me know – what are some of your kid’s favorite books they have read, or what are they reading now?

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Creating a Publishing Timeline for Your Next Release

By becca puglisi.

Publishing your own book is a lot like juggling—and not those harmless little balls either. It’s more like juggling a couple of balls, a chainsaw, a set of Ginsu knives, and a litter of kittens.

There are so many things to remember, and they’re all vital to getting your book into readers’ hands in a reasonable time frame. Drop any of those “balls,” and you end up with a messy or unfinished product that doesn’t reflect the time and energy you’ve put into it. One thing that my co-author and I started doing early in our career was creating a publication timeline for each book.

This allowed us to track the things that had to get done, plan how long each step would take, and determine a reasonable launch deadline.

These timelines have been crucial to us being able to release our books in a timely fashion without dropping any of those important balls. And seven books later, we’re still using the same template .

Table of Contents

Today I’d like to share my process with you so you can do the same.

6 Steps for Creating a Publishing Timeline for Your Book

1. make a list of tasks needed to publish your book..

What jobs will need to be done for your book to be published?

Some of these are universal—writing the book, revising it, designing a cover , etc.

But others will be specific to you and the kind of book you’ve written.

To get you started, here’s our list of Must-Dos, which can be tweaked to fit your process.

Drafting : Each nonfiction book that Angela and I write consists of two portions: instructive front matter and thesaurus entries. We tackle each section separately, so they’re listed as such on our spreadsheet.

Revision : The length for this part of the process will vary between authors and from project to project.

Professional Editing : We’ve come a long way from the self-publishing stigma that was so pervasive when we published our first book in 2012. A lot of that is due to authors recognizing the need to create a polished product. When you’ve done as much with your manuscript as you can, hire a professional to take it to the next level. Because of the unusual format of our nonfiction books, Angela and I hire an editor to tidy up the narrative front matter and a proofreader to fine-tooth-comb the entry section, but that won’t be necessary for everyone.

Drawer Time : After so much time focusing on a book, we start to lose perspective; we’re so close to it that we can no longer see the issues. To gain a little distance, we stick it in the “drawer” for a while and work on something else. Then, when we come back to it, we can give it a final read-through with fresh eyes to catch anything we may have missed.

Cover Design : Whether you do it yourself or hire someone, you’ll need to create a cover for your book.

Formatting : This is the final step in the process of creating the actual book. Again, you can do this job yourself or hire it out.

Marketing for Your Launch : What’s your marketing plan ? How will you get the word out about your book? Make note on your timeline of the different strategies you’ll employ, such as crafting a launch-related newsletter, soliciting testimonials, hiring a street team, or sending out requests to write guest posts for influential blogs around the time of your release.

Publishing : Decide where you’re going to sell your books (Amazon, Apple, on your website, etc.). Familiarize yourself with their timelines so you’ll know how long it takes for an uploaded file to be available for purchase. This will ensure that your books can be bought at the various distributors by your launch date.

Miscellaneous Pre-Launch Stuff : There are lots of nitpicky tasks that need to be done before your book goes live: writing blurbs, updating your bio, adding the book to your website bookstore, obtaining an ISBN—all the little things that don’t fit into bigger categories. Dropping them into a Miscellaneous section on your timeline is a good way to remember them so they don’t creep up on you.

Other Considerations : Our spreadsheet isn’t comprehensive; it excludes a lot of common tasks such as obtaining feedback from beta readers and setting up preorders. And that’s fine. Everyone’s process is different. As you set up your own timeline, you can include anything we’ve omitted and remove the tasks that aren’t necessary.

Once you’ve created your list of tasks, put them into a spreadsheet, as follows. Then you’re ready for the next step.

2. Split tasks into subtasks.

Some jobs will require multiple steps. You want to note these under each task so you don’t forget them.

3. Assign time estimates for each task and subtask.

If you’ve written books before, you’ll know how long it will take to draft, revise, and the like.

If this will be your first time, make your best guess; you can always adjust, as long as you’ve added enough buffer into your overall timeline (more on that later).

For tasks that will be handled by others, decide early on who you’ll be working with.

Ask them in advance how long they’ll need to complete your cover design or format a project like yours.

Add time estimates for each task and subtask to your spreadsheet.

4. Order your tasks.

Most of the steps to publication go in a logical sequence: drafting, then revising, then formal editing, etc.

But some jobs can overlap.

For instance, you may decide to do your cover design or beta reading during that important drawer time.

You might be able to start some marketing incentives while the book is still being formatted.

Arrange your tasks so you can see the order in which they need to be accomplished.

5. Decide on a launch date.

Now that you know the tasks you’ll be handling and how much time is needed for each, you can decide on a release date.

Add up the time allotted for all the tasks to see how much will be needed overall.

Then get out the calendar and choose a launch date that will give you enough time to do everything on your list.

Be sure to plan around family vacations, holidays, big work projects, and any other events that would make it difficult for you to focus on your launch.

One other thing you’ll want to factor into your timeline is what I like to call Buffer .

No matter how carefully you plan, things go wrong.

Your cover designer goes out of business and you have to find a new one; beta feedback requires you to make major changes; a pandemic breaks out and your proofreader has to work with kids underfoot, which takes longer than expected …

Trust me, you will need more time than you think you do, so add some buffer into your timeline.

You won’t see it on our sheet because I don’t physically add a line item for buffer; I just add an extra 3-4 weeks to the overall time frame and choose a launch date with that in mind.

This may sound like overkill, but we’ve always needed at least some of that buffer for every release.

And if you end up finishing ahead of schedule, great.

You’ve got some time to breathe before jumping into your marketing campaign.

6. Work backward to assign time frames to each task.

Once you’ve got a launch date in mind, work backward from that date to fill in the time frames for each task so you’ll know when each one needs to be done.

For our latest publication of The Occupation Thesaurus , we needed about 4 1/2 months, including buffer, so we decided to shoot for a release date of 7/20.

The item on my spreadsheet that’s just prior to launch is Publishing .

Seeing that I have to upload and publish my digital files at various distributors five days before launch, I plan to do that on 7/15.

Next, I’ve got a note that my Amazon files should be published a week before the release date, so I’ll do those on 7/13.

Print files have to be uploaded even earlier, because I have to order a proof and make sure the paper copy looks good.

I allot three weeks for that (in case anything goes wrong and I have to make changes and order a second proof), so I plan to upload the print file three weeks before launch, on 6/23.

That takes care of all the publishing tasks.

So I move up to formatting. My formatter needs about three weeks, so I plan to get her the material on 5/25 in the hope that I’ll have the finished files by 6/19.

Then I move on to the task that comes before formatting …

In this way, work your way backward until you’ve assigned dates for all the tasks.

This process will tell you when, at the latest, you should start working through your list so you’ll be done in time for your launch. And it acts as a schedule to keep you on track as you go.

Here’s what ours looked like for this latest publication:

This may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it because you only have to do it once.

Then, when it’s time to publish your next book , the spreadsheet is there, with the necessary tasks and time frames laid out.

All you have to do is adjust the dates so they fit your new launch date. It makes things SO much easier.

This sheet is also handy because it allows you to note what doesn’t work so you can make changes for the next publication.

For instance, we’ve always sent out ARCs as PDFs after the book has been formatted (so readers have the cleanest version to read).

But we’ve learned that if readers find typos and other errors that we missed, it’s too late for us to go back and remove them because the files have already been formatted.

In the future, we’re going to try creating our own PDF from the manuscript and sending out those out as ARCs before we get to the formatting stage so we can incorporate any changes before the files are finalized.

This timeline has been an absolute lifesaver for us and has made the jump to self-publishing much more manageable. And it can do the same for you.

We’d love for you to use our spreadsheet as a template and individualize it to fit your next project.

And if you have questions about the process, I’m here to answer them.

Featured Photo by Malvestida Magazine on Unsplash

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Timeline Maker

Create interactive, visual timelines, create timelines for any event, from tracking your projects to creating business presentations to teaching students..

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How to make a Timeline Diagram?

Draw Complex Timelines in Minutes

Brainstorm and conceptualize processes or events with drag and drop tools.

Visualize complex timelines and update them easily using automatic drawing features.

Create data-rich timeline infographics by importing images, vectors and more onto the canvas.

Centralize All Information

Build canvas wikis with project timelines, plans, and initiatives side-by-side on an infinite canvas.

Embed documents and assets in the notes panel to link information together around timelines.

Streamline sharing, reviewing, and editing your project timelines with multiple access and role levels.

Manage Timelines Collaboratively

Create timelines with teams and other stakeholders. Real-time cursors for any number of participants.

Instantly share feedback on events and processes with synchronous editing.

Comment with context, have discussions and follow ups.

Embed timelines in any site or intranet or share with anyone via an email or link invite to collaborate on.

Augment and Interact with Your Data

Organize your timelines, group similar content, or build a presentation flow for proposals using frames.

Easily create multi-perspective visuals by converting timelines into action plans and roadmaps.

Export timelines as SVGs, PDFs, and PNGs to publish, present, print, and share.

What is a Timeline?

How can teams collaboratively create a timeline for a project/event using creately.

Timelines are useful in planning and managing projects, tracking progress and identifying potential issues. Start by creating a workspace on Creately and conduct a brainstorming session together with your team to define the project or event’s objectives and scope. Using a mind map or an affinity diagram will help you to gather everyone’s ideas and record them in an organized manner.

Break the project into smaller tasks, estimate the time it would take to complete each and arrange them in the order that they need to be completed. Once the order is determined, you can start assigning tasks to team members and use a Kanban board to track them.

Make a draft timeline of important milestones and deadlines, using one from the wide range of timeline templates. You can easily customize it by dragging and dropping elements from the dedicated shape library.

Style your timeline and add images. With Creately you can quickly style your timeline with preset color themes or even choose your own to reflect the company’s branding. While you can import images, clipart, gifs, logos, icons, etc. right from your device to customize your timeline, you can also use the built-in Google image search to find more images from across the web.

Collaborate around the timeline with your team members to get everyone on the same page and to keep everyone informed. Review the timeline together with your team and make changes and improvements where necessary. Get comments and feedback from team members to ensure that the goals you have set are achievable within the timeline.

Easily share the timeline with relevant stakeholders by exporting it in PNG, SVG, PDF, and JPEG formats to embed in websites, presentations, etc. You can also share it with anyone via an email or link invite making collaboration easier for remote teams.

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American Revolution Timeline

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Monthly Timeline

FAQs About the Timeline Maker in Creately

Timelines are useful especially in project management, since they allow you to plan a project properly and identify tasks that need to be completed depending on the priority. Teams can easily collaborate and use timelines as a visualization of a particular sequence of events, tasks or project milestones. It also improves communication among team members since everyone is aware of deadlines and how the project should progress with successive events.

Timelines are also important when illustrating the history of a particular subject or theory, as it enables you to present an overview of what you want to convey to your audience.

Guides and Resources to Manage Your Time

How to Draw the Perfect Timeline Diagram with Creately

How To Create a Project Timeline In 6 Simple Steps

Take Your Timelines to the Next Level with These Premium Templates

Gantt Chart Templates to Instantly Create Project Timelines

The Quick Guide to Creating a Proper Product Roadmap

The Ultimate List of Graphic Organizers for Teachers and Students

The Easy Guide to Event Planning with Instantly Editable Templates

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The best timeline examples by type

Timelines tell us how things happened, how things are going, and how we want them to go. Expedite your own design timeline with examples and templates from Adobe Express.

Timelines exist to help us, so understanding what they are and how to construct them is an essential part of project management. Below, we break down a variety of timeline types and their uses, with free Adobe Express templates for you to try out until you find the perfect timeline for your team needs.

Understanding timelines

At their root, timelines exist to help us not only organize our time and tasks but also understand what’s expected of us and how best to proceed. As they’re used to visualize processes and projects, timelines can meet any manner of need, including breaking down a team’s agenda into explicit parts, laying out an overview of events, boiling down important information for relevant stakeholders, and presenting notable moments in time that can inform future events.

When structuring a timeline, consider adding a title or details about the subject that indicates what you’ll be covering, events, milestones, significant dates, and the individuals involved. This is a prime context in which specificity can only help you in your goals.

Importance of timelines in visual storytelling

Every team member learns differently, which is why visual tools are so important in expanding how your team grows together. Timelines are essential to telling the story of what your team is doing and how collaboration and completion can be prioritized with grace for ever-changing timelines and resources. The visual aspect of timelines is also helpful for showing stakeholders what you’re accomplishing with their needs in mind.

Benefits of timelines and their applications

Each type of timeline highlights a specific need and projected goal, which is why so many exist for a myriad of purposes based on your brand or business. For example, infographic timelines help convey a series of historical events using visual elements and text. For a business, infographic timelines help teams visualize goals for each quarter and beyond. So you can better select a timeline for you and your team’s project needs, examine the timeline types below to find out what can assist you in minimizing that task list.

Timeline examples by type

There are many kinds of timelines to assist in completing your tasks and moving your project forward. Read on to find out which timeline will improve your workstream and level up your time and task management.

Sequential timelines

Sequential timelines, also called linear timelines, are the ABC’s of timelines, as they simply show the chronological order and progression of your tasks. If you need to get down to the essence of your project needs, it can be helpful to start with a sequential timeline before you bring in other timeline types to expand your scope.

Project timelines

Project timelines are timelines that essentially keep the ball rolling for a team, enabling the project manager to show what needs to be done when, what should be prioritized, and how the team can streamline their tasks through collaborative usage of these timelines.

Gantt charts timelines

Gantt charts are simply layouts of project timelines, with the top of the chart representing specific time windows, and the left side of the chart representing the project tasks or activities that will take place within that timeline. A Gantt chart shows what needs to be done, and when, highlighting each item with a differently colored bar to prioritize visual organization as well.

Historical timelines

Historical timelines showcase the history of a certain time period, and what occurred within that period. There typically is a continuous line or thread throughout this timeline to denote what connects each specific event or change mentioned.

Strategic timelines

Strategic timelines are timelines that cover a time period outlined by a company’s strategic plan. Depending on the overall goal or directive that you and your team are working toward, the timeline can be organized in the direction of that goal, with tasks and time windows stacked advantageously with this overall plan in mind.

How to create your own timeline with templates from Adobe Express

Whether you’re creating a historical infographic or setting goals for your business, Adobe Express has all the tools you need to craft a timeline that’s as engaging as it is informative.

If you have an idea in mind, you can begin from scratch or choose from our wide array of timeline examples to fast-track the design process. Select the template that best suits your needs, then easily customize the visuals to match your theme. Personalize your timeline by uploading your own photos or videos, adding your messaging, and choosing from thousands of fonts.

Just launch Adobe Express from your browser and search “timeline” to find a stunning free timeline template. Drag-and-drop icons, pie charts, lines, and more to your design, and leave a stunning visual impression on your viewers of your timeline with one-click animated effects. No design experience needed.

Watch CBS News

Is Trump going to prison? What to know about the possible sentence after his conviction

By Kaia Hubbard

Updated on: May 31, 2024 / 6:48 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Former President  Donald Trump was found guilty  on all charges in his New York "hush money" trial on Thursday, and the judge overseeing the case will soon venture into uncharted territory to determine whether a former president should be imprisoned for a felony conviction for the first time.

Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence before the 2016 presidential election. The jury in Manhattan returned its guilty verdict after a trial that stretched six weeks and featured more than 20 witnesses. 

Each of the 34 felony charges carries up to a $5,000 fine and four-year prison sentence. But whether Trump will go to prison is another question — one that's up to the judge at sentencing.

When will Trump be sentenced?

The judge set a July 11 date for sentencing following the jury's verdict on Thursday. 

The timing is in line with similar white-collar felony cases, where sentencing often takes place anywhere from three to eight weeks after conviction, according to Dan Horwitz, a defense lawyer who formerly prosecuted white-collar cases for the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

The sentencing will happen four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.

What to expect from sentencing

The minimum sentence for falsifying business records in the first degree is zero, so Trump could receive probation or conditional discharge, a sentence of no jail or up to four years for each offense. Trump would likely be ordered to serve the prison time concurrently for each count, so up to four years, total. 

"The judge could sentence him to anything between zero and the max," Horwitz said. "So he could sentence him to a period of months in jail, he could sentence him to a period of weeks in jail, he could sentence him to a sentence where he is required, for example, to go to jail every weekend for a period of time and then serve the rest of the sentence on probation."

In an analysis of comparable cases brought by the Manhattan district attorney's office, Norm Eisen, who has written a book about Trump's 2020 election-related federal indictment and served as special counsel in the first impeachment of the former president, found that about 10% resulted in imprisonment. But the circumstances surrounding the case make any across-the-board comparison difficult. 

Trump could also be sentenced to home detention, where he would wear an ankle bracelet and be monitored rather than going to jail. Horwitz suggested that a home detention sentence, which walks a middle ground between no punishment and a stint in state prison, might be the most likely outcome. It would also satisfy Trump's unusual security and political situation. 

A home detention sentence would also make it possible for Trump to continue campaigning — albeit virtually — with the ability to hold news conferences and remain active on social media. Throughout the trial, Justice Juan Merchan stressed the importance of allowing Trump the ability to campaign and exercise his First Amendment rights as he seeks another term in the White House . But it's just part of the equation that the judge must weigh in his decision. 

In an interview on CNN after the verdict, Trump attorney Todd Blanche was asked if he expected prosecutors to seek jail time. "I have no idea," Blanche replied. "Look, there's there's a system in place that that where you rely on precedent, and somebody like President Trump should never, never face a jail sentence based on this conduct."

What will the judge consider in Trump's sentencing?

There are a number of factors that the court can take into consideration for sentencing, including the nature and extent of the conduct, who was hurt, whether there are victims, and acceptance of responsibility, Horwitz said. Trump has repeatedly denied any guilt in the case.

"Courts will credit a defendant who pleads guilty by accepting responsibility for their conduct, as opposed to not accepting responsibility going into trial and getting convicted," Horwitz added, saying that "the sentence after a trial because you didn't accept responsibility is more stringent than it would have otherwise been."

A defendant's conduct during the trial may also play a role, so Trump's repeated violation of Merchan's gag order may be a significant factor in his sentencing. During the trial, Trump was accused over a dozen times of violating a gag order preventing him from making public comments about likely witnesses, jurors, attorneys and court staff involved in the case. 

Trump's sentencing may also be complicated by the lifetime Secret Service protection that he's afforded as a former president. The issue came up during the trial, when the judge held Trump in contempt for violating a gag order . Though Trump faced multiple fines, the judge expressed that jailing Trump was "the last thing I want to do" because it would have disrupted the trial and presented challenges for the Secret Service agents tasked with protecting the former president. 

"Today's outcome has no bearing on the manner in which the United States Secret Service carries out its protective mission," the Secret Service said in a statement provided to CBS News following the verdict. "Our security measures will proceed unchanged."  

Trump's imprisonment would likely need to include a rotation of Secret Service officers, and he would need to be isolated from other inmates. The former president's food and personal items would likely need to be screened for his protection, among other logistical considerations. 

"For all settings around the world, we study locations and develop comprehensive and layered protective models that incorporate state of the art technology, protective intelligence and advanced security tactics to safeguard our protectees," Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service's chief of communications, said before the verdict. 

No U.S. prison has ever previously had to deal with the possible imprisonment of a former president. Horwitz said there are mechanisms for inmates in protective custody at state correctional facilities and jails, but how the process would actually work remains to be seen. 

After Trump's conviction on Thursday, the Secret Service said in a new statement that "today's outcome has no bearing on the manner in which the United States Secret Service carries out its protective mission. Our security measures will proceed unchanged." 

Where could Trump be imprisoned?

Should Trump be sentenced to a period of home detention, the former president could carry out the sentence outside of New York, for instance, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where New York state would coordinate with Florida's probation department, which would monitor Trump's confinement, Horwitz said. 

In the event that Trump is sentenced to jail time, the location would depend on the duration of his sentence.

If Trump faces more than one year in jail, New York law requires that his sentence be served in a New York penal facility. But if his sentence is shorter than a year, it would be served in a New York City correctional facility, such as Rikers Island. 

What comes next? 

Trump could seek to stay the execution of any sentence pending appeal, meaning that he wouldn't have to start serving the sentence until an appeals court makes a decision, which is not uncommon in white collar cases in New York federal courts, Horwitz said. The move could delay any jail time until the election — or even beyond.

In any case, though possible imprisonment raises some hurdles for Trump's presidential campaign, his conviction does not restrict him from continuing to run — even if he's behind bars.

Olivia Rinaldi and Jake Rosen contributed reporting.

• Donald Trump

Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.

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