Book Report Rubrics
The students have a book report due every four weeks in Literature. That is two book reports a quarter.
They may turn them in early if they get them done.The critiria varies on some of them. Two are special
in that they are to be presented to the class. Most of them are letter format book reports. Each student
gets a copy of the criteria for each book report. If you would like a copy also, please feel free to contact
me and I will get one to you.
The first book report is a Sandwich book report. It is put together in layers like a sandwich. The first layer is the book's title and author. Layer 2 is a summary of the book (3-4 paragraphs with 5-6 sentences in each paragraph). Layer 3 talks about the main character which is one paragraph long and includes what he/she looks like, acts like, what things set him/her apart. Layer 4 describes the book's setting which is where the book takes place. Next you need to find 5 words in the book you are not familiar with, write them down, write the sentence the word is in, tell what you believe the meaning of the word is, and look the word up in the dictionary and write down what it says it is. Layer 6 is when you find one example of conflict in the book and write a paragraph about the type of conflict it is what characters are involved in the conflict and how it gets resolved. Last, but not least, Layer 7 is where you draw your favorite scene from the book and write one paragraph to describe what is happening in the scene. Layer 1 is worth 5 points, layer 2 is worth 20 points, layer 3 is 10 points, layer 4 is 10 points, layer 5 is 20 points, layer 6 is 10 points and layer 7 is 10 points. When you assemble your "sandwich" each layer should be pated or taped to its own piece of construction paper and should be assembled in the order that is given above (layer 1,2,3,4,5,6,and 7).
The next book reports are in the form of a letter written to me to tell me about the story they have read. They should use the school address for the return address in the letter. Address it to me. In the 1st paragraph they should explain what was good about the book. 2nd paragraph should explain what they didn't like about the book. The 3rd paragraph should discuss the theme of the book, using examples from the text for support. And in the 4th paragraph they should write about a literary device or text element. Give examples from the text for support. Tell me why it is important.
Book Report Evaluation:
Structure
Does the introduction give the title, author, and subject of book? ( 10 points)
Does the introduction express an opinon about the book? (10 points)
Ina fictional book, does the introduction identify the time and location? ( 10 points)
Does the body of the report offer specific reasons and examples from the book to support the opinion expressed in the introduction? ( 10 points)
Does the body include highlights from the book? ( 10 points)
Does the report avoid telling too many details about the book? (10 points)
Does the conclusion restate the opionion and add a strong ending? (10 points)
Sentences and Words
Are unnecessary shifts in tense avoided? (5 points)
Are short sentences combined to make the sentences smoother? (5 points)
Are rambling sentences avoided? (5 points)
Are repetitions and empty expressions avoided? (5 points)
Are the words specific and vivid? (5 points)
Is the paper neat and legible? (5 points)
Some literary devices might be:
simile-two unlike things are being compare using like or as
metaphor-direct comparison between tow unlike things (one is the other)
personification-non-living or non-human things (animal, object, idea) given human senses, characteristics, and qualities
hyperbole-use of examggeration to convey meaning
imagery-mental pictures created through the use of simile, metaphor, sensory (touch,taste,smell, eharing sight) language
symbolism-an object that holds a figurative meaning as well as a literal meaning; something that stands for something else
text elements might include:
foreshadowing-the author presents hints or clues about future events
flashback-author presents information that happened in an earlier time before the events currently taking place
mood-the feeling created in the reader through the words of the text
suspense-feeling of curiosity or uncertainty about the outcome of events
point-of-view- perspective from which story is told
first person: marrator participates in the action, uses "I"
second person: not often used, the "you" in directions, explanations, or arguments.
third person: narrator is not a character in the story, uses "he" or "she" and feelings of all characters
Example writing about reading: some possible openers.....
I was surprised when/angry about/satisfied with/moved by/incredulous at/....
I liked the way the author...
I noticed how the author...
I don't get why the author...
If I were the author I would have...
I'd compare this author to...
This book reminded me of...
The main character...
The character development...
The narrative (point of view)...
The structure of this book...
The climax of the plot...
The resolution of the main character's problem...
The genre of this book...
I'd say a theme of this book is...
I wish that...
I didn't agree with...
I understood...
I couldn't understand...
Why did...
This is how I read this book:...
I rated this one__________ because...
AND ALWAYS: I was struck by/interested in/ convinced by this passage: "..."/ It shows....about this author's writing.
The last book report of the year is the Poster Book Report.
Choose a school-appropriate novel. After you read the book, you will reflect on the major characters, themes, literary elements, and significant passages from the novel, and them incorporate this information into a poster. You will present the poster to the class as a way of talking about the book. As a part of the process, you will give the book a "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down", indicating that you would recommend of not recommend this book to others. The organization of the required criteria is up to you. Choose significant quotations carefully, explain the significance of each. You may choose to shape the poster into a main character or symbol related to the novel. During the presentation preserve suspense by NOT sharing the resolution of the novel so others may read the book if they choose.
CRITERIA:
1. Include the title and author of the novel. (5 points)
2. Include who's important and why (minimum of three characters). (15 points)
3. Include three or more significant quotes from the novel. (Cite page numbers. Explain the importance of each quotation.) (15 points)
4.Explain a minimum of five literary elements. (Examples: mood, forshadowning, sub-plot, imagery, hyperbole, point of view, types of conflict, etc.) (25 points)
5. Include a statement that illstrates your own understanding of one or more of the novel's thems. (20 points)
6. Use at least one visual image to represent a character, scene, symbol, or other element from the novel. (10 points)
7. Do you give this novel thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Give three reasons for your choice. (10 points)
When giving your oral book report you will also be given a grade on the presentation.
1. Clear speaking voice (5 points)
2. Voice expression (5 points)
3. Good eye contact (5 points)
4. Effective message (5 points)
5. 3-5 minutes presentation (5 points)
Every Monday each student in my literature class has a Reading Log that needs to be turned in, it is worth 25 points a week.
If they lose the Reading Log it may be written on a regular sheet of paper, but each day must be
signed by the parent/guardian. The goal is to read 20 minutes minimum each evening. If the students read over the weekend it will be given as extra credit that week.
Every Monday each student in my Composition class has a Journal Log that needs to be turned in, it is worth 25 points a week.
If they lose the Journal Log it may be written on a regular sheet of paper, but each day must be signed by the parent/guardian. The goal is to improve their writing skills. If the students write in their Journal Log over the weekend it will be given as extra credit for that week.
They may turn them in early if they get them done.The critiria varies on some of them. Two are special
in that they are to be presented to the class. Most of them are letter format book reports. Each student
gets a copy of the criteria for each book report. If you would like a copy also, please feel free to contact
me and I will get one to you.
The first book report is a Sandwich book report. It is put together in layers like a sandwich. The first layer is the book's title and author. Layer 2 is a summary of the book (3-4 paragraphs with 5-6 sentences in each paragraph). Layer 3 talks about the main character which is one paragraph long and includes what he/she looks like, acts like, what things set him/her apart. Layer 4 describes the book's setting which is where the book takes place. Next you need to find 5 words in the book you are not familiar with, write them down, write the sentence the word is in, tell what you believe the meaning of the word is, and look the word up in the dictionary and write down what it says it is. Layer 6 is when you find one example of conflict in the book and write a paragraph about the type of conflict it is what characters are involved in the conflict and how it gets resolved. Last, but not least, Layer 7 is where you draw your favorite scene from the book and write one paragraph to describe what is happening in the scene. Layer 1 is worth 5 points, layer 2 is worth 20 points, layer 3 is 10 points, layer 4 is 10 points, layer 5 is 20 points, layer 6 is 10 points and layer 7 is 10 points. When you assemble your "sandwich" each layer should be pated or taped to its own piece of construction paper and should be assembled in the order that is given above (layer 1,2,3,4,5,6,and 7).
The next book reports are in the form of a letter written to me to tell me about the story they have read. They should use the school address for the return address in the letter. Address it to me. In the 1st paragraph they should explain what was good about the book. 2nd paragraph should explain what they didn't like about the book. The 3rd paragraph should discuss the theme of the book, using examples from the text for support. And in the 4th paragraph they should write about a literary device or text element. Give examples from the text for support. Tell me why it is important.
Book Report Evaluation:
Structure
Does the introduction give the title, author, and subject of book? ( 10 points)
Does the introduction express an opinon about the book? (10 points)
Ina fictional book, does the introduction identify the time and location? ( 10 points)
Does the body of the report offer specific reasons and examples from the book to support the opinion expressed in the introduction? ( 10 points)
Does the body include highlights from the book? ( 10 points)
Does the report avoid telling too many details about the book? (10 points)
Does the conclusion restate the opionion and add a strong ending? (10 points)
Sentences and Words
Are unnecessary shifts in tense avoided? (5 points)
Are short sentences combined to make the sentences smoother? (5 points)
Are rambling sentences avoided? (5 points)
Are repetitions and empty expressions avoided? (5 points)
Are the words specific and vivid? (5 points)
Is the paper neat and legible? (5 points)
Some literary devices might be:
simile-two unlike things are being compare using like or as
metaphor-direct comparison between tow unlike things (one is the other)
personification-non-living or non-human things (animal, object, idea) given human senses, characteristics, and qualities
hyperbole-use of examggeration to convey meaning
imagery-mental pictures created through the use of simile, metaphor, sensory (touch,taste,smell, eharing sight) language
symbolism-an object that holds a figurative meaning as well as a literal meaning; something that stands for something else
text elements might include:
foreshadowing-the author presents hints or clues about future events
flashback-author presents information that happened in an earlier time before the events currently taking place
mood-the feeling created in the reader through the words of the text
suspense-feeling of curiosity or uncertainty about the outcome of events
point-of-view- perspective from which story is told
first person: marrator participates in the action, uses "I"
second person: not often used, the "you" in directions, explanations, or arguments.
third person: narrator is not a character in the story, uses "he" or "she" and feelings of all characters
Example writing about reading: some possible openers.....
I was surprised when/angry about/satisfied with/moved by/incredulous at/....
I liked the way the author...
I noticed how the author...
I don't get why the author...
If I were the author I would have...
I'd compare this author to...
This book reminded me of...
The main character...
The character development...
The narrative (point of view)...
The structure of this book...
The climax of the plot...
The resolution of the main character's problem...
The genre of this book...
I'd say a theme of this book is...
I wish that...
I didn't agree with...
I understood...
I couldn't understand...
Why did...
This is how I read this book:...
I rated this one__________ because...
AND ALWAYS: I was struck by/interested in/ convinced by this passage: "..."/ It shows....about this author's writing.
The last book report of the year is the Poster Book Report.
Choose a school-appropriate novel. After you read the book, you will reflect on the major characters, themes, literary elements, and significant passages from the novel, and them incorporate this information into a poster. You will present the poster to the class as a way of talking about the book. As a part of the process, you will give the book a "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down", indicating that you would recommend of not recommend this book to others. The organization of the required criteria is up to you. Choose significant quotations carefully, explain the significance of each. You may choose to shape the poster into a main character or symbol related to the novel. During the presentation preserve suspense by NOT sharing the resolution of the novel so others may read the book if they choose.
CRITERIA:
1. Include the title and author of the novel. (5 points)
2. Include who's important and why (minimum of three characters). (15 points)
3. Include three or more significant quotes from the novel. (Cite page numbers. Explain the importance of each quotation.) (15 points)
4.Explain a minimum of five literary elements. (Examples: mood, forshadowning, sub-plot, imagery, hyperbole, point of view, types of conflict, etc.) (25 points)
5. Include a statement that illstrates your own understanding of one or more of the novel's thems. (20 points)
6. Use at least one visual image to represent a character, scene, symbol, or other element from the novel. (10 points)
7. Do you give this novel thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Give three reasons for your choice. (10 points)
When giving your oral book report you will also be given a grade on the presentation.
1. Clear speaking voice (5 points)
2. Voice expression (5 points)
3. Good eye contact (5 points)
4. Effective message (5 points)
5. 3-5 minutes presentation (5 points)
Every Monday each student in my literature class has a Reading Log that needs to be turned in, it is worth 25 points a week.
If they lose the Reading Log it may be written on a regular sheet of paper, but each day must be
signed by the parent/guardian. The goal is to read 20 minutes minimum each evening. If the students read over the weekend it will be given as extra credit that week.
Every Monday each student in my Composition class has a Journal Log that needs to be turned in, it is worth 25 points a week.
If they lose the Journal Log it may be written on a regular sheet of paper, but each day must be signed by the parent/guardian. The goal is to improve their writing skills. If the students write in their Journal Log over the weekend it will be given as extra credit for that week.