Most Indonesian and English classes in primary and secondary schools require students to complete a book reading report. Often, it is very difficult to know what to include and not to include in the report. A summary can tell the reader about the important things and elements of a book you read in your own words. Depending on the assignment your teacher gave you, you may have to give your opinion about the book, as to what you liked and didn't like about it. If you do a little preparation, writing a summary for a book reading report is nothing to fear!
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing a Book Reading Report
Step 1. Choose an appropriate book
Your teacher may provide you with a book, or provide a list of books you can choose from. If he doesn't tell you specifically what book to use, you can ask the librarian to suggest a book that fits the task.
If you can, choose books based on topics that interest you. You will feel more comfortable reading it
Step 2. Make sure you understand the assignment
Your teacher may give assignments or assignments around specific details on a book reading report. Make sure you follow all the instructions given, such as the length of the report and what to include in the report.
- Don't confuse book reading reports with book reviews. A book reading report summarizes the entire book and includes your opinion on the book, but it usually focuses more on the facts about the book. Book reviews usually describe what the book says and evaluate how the book works.
- If you have questions, ask your teacher. Asking questions when you don't understand something is better than trying to solve the problem yourself but the results don't match your teacher's expectations.
Step 3. Take notes as you read the book
It's easier to draft a book reading report if you jot down important things as you read, rather than trying to remember everything at the end. As you read, write down some notes about the following:
- Character. If your book is fiction (or biographies or memoirs), find out who the main characters are. What are they like? What are their jobs? Do they look different at the end of the story than at the beginning? Do you like them?
- Background. This category appears more in the fiction genre. The setting of a book is the place and time the story takes place (for example, the main setting of the novel Lupus is school). Setting has a significant impact on the characters and the story.
- Story. What happened in the book? Who did what? Where (beginning, middle, end) do the important things happen? Are there "turning points" in the story that make things look different than before? How is the story finished? Which part did you like the most about the story?
- Main idea/theme. There are differences for this category in the nonfiction and fiction genres. Nonfiction has a very clear main idea, like telling a biography of a famous historical figure. For fiction books, there will be a main theme that flows throughout the story. Think about this when describing what you learned from the book that you didn't know before. It will be easier if you write down notes in each chapter.
- Quote. A good book reading report not only tells, but shows. For example, if you really like the author's writing style, you can use a quote from the book that shows why you like it. Quotes that can summarize the overall main idea of the book can also be used. You don't have to use every quote you write in your report, but write every quote that catches your eye.
Part 2 of 3: Drafting a Book Reading Report
Step 1. Decide how to organize your book reading report
Your teacher may have given you specific writing rules, and if so, you should follow them. There are two basic ways to organize book reading reports:
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Organize reports by chapter. If you organize your report like this, you will move from one chapter to another. You may also have to explain several chapters in each paragraph.
- Pros: You can use chronological order, which can be helpful when you're summarizing a book with lots of plot elements.
- Cons: This kind of arrangement can be more difficult to work with if you have to explain several chapters in one paragraph.
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Organize reports by element type ("thematic" settings). If you organize your report this way, you could write one paragraph about the characters, one or two paragraphs about the summary of the story, one paragraph about the main idea, and one paragraph about a summary of your opinion about the book.
- Pros: You can write a lot of plot summaries in a small space. These paragraphs are clearly separated, so you know what to explain in each paragraph.
- Cons: This setting may not be suitable if your assignment is mostly about book summaries than your opinions.
Step 2. Create an outline
This outline will help you write a draft summary. Gather all your notes into this outline depending on how you organize your paragraphs.
- For chronological order: Give each book chapter a separate section in your report. Write down the most important story elements and character developments that occur in each chapter.
- For thematic order: Put your notes on various elements such as, characters, plot, and main idea, into separate sections. Each element will become a paragraph.
- When you write your first draft, think about the elements that drive the story, because they are the most important elements in the story. You can provide more detail when revising your report, if you wish.
- For example, if you are asked to summarize a novel in English class, a lot of things happen in Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, but you can't talk about everything. Therefore, focus on the overall movement of the story. Start by explaining what the Hunger Games are and how Katniss and Peeta were chosen. Then, summarize their time at the Capitol, including information on how support works. After that, summarize the important moments during the Hunger Games, such as when Katniss burned her leg, the tracker-jacker attack, Rue's death, the kiss in the cave, the final battle with Cato, and the choice to eat the poison berry. Then, conclude by briefly re-explaining the most important moments at the end of the story.
Step 3. Write an introductory paragraph
The introduction to the report should give the reader a basic idea about the story of the book. This paragraph also provides some information about the characters and/or the main idea of the story. You don't have to provide a lot of detail in this section; You just have to provide enough information so readers know what's going on in this report.
- Provide information about the publication of the book, including title, author, year of publication, and genre. Your teacher may ask you to enter other information. If your book was written by someone important, won an award, or is a bestseller, also provide information about those things.
- For example, a summary of Andrea Hirata's Laskar Pelangi story could be written as follows: “A youth book by Andrea Hirata entitled Laskar Pelangi was published by Bentang Pustaka in 2005. This book won an award at the New York Book Festival in 2013. Story It is set in a Muhammadiyah school in Belitung which is full of limitations. The characters of this novel, namely Ikal, Lintang, Sahara, Mahar, A Kiong, Syahdan, Kucai, Borek, Trapani, and Harun, go to school and study in the same class from grade 1 elementary school to grade 3 junior high school, and call themselves as Rainbow Troops. This beautiful story is summarized in a funny and touching way by Andrea Hirata. We can even feel the childhood spirit of these ten Laskar Pelangi members.”
- For nonfiction books, summarize the main idea or purpose of the author of the book. State what the author's thesis is. For example, a short summary of the entire story for Chairul Tanjung: The Cassava Child might look like this: “Tjahja Gunawan Diredja recounts the struggles of a national figure, Chairul Tanjung, in a biography entitled Chairul Tanjung: The Cassava Child. This book was published by Kompas in 2012. Tjahja Gunawan wants to inspire young people from the story of Chairul Tanjung's struggle in starting his business from a young age”.
Step 4. Develop a core paragraph
Starting with your outline, develop a core paragraph that summarizes most of the important elements of the book. You won't be able to summarize every detail or every chapter in your final draft, unless you choose a very short book. Therefore, focus on what you think is most important about the story and characters of the book.
For nonfiction books, your summary should focus on the author's main idea and how that idea developed in the book. What are the key points the author makes? Which evidence or personal experience stories are used to support their point?
Step 5. Use plot movement to help you develop your paragraph
If you choose to organize your report in chronological order, think about how the plot of the story moves. What are the important events in the plot of the story? Where did things start to change? Where do the surprises or stressful situations arise?
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Break up paragraphs based on where important events occur. For example, if you were summarizing the novel Laskar Pelangi, you could organize your report paragraphs like this:
- Introductory paragraph: summarize the book in general and provide information about publication.
- Contents of paragraph 1: summarize the Muhammadiyah school which is threatened to be dissolved by the South Sumatra Ministry of Education and Culture if it cannot gather 10 new students. When only 9 students gathered, the principal was about to make a speech that the school would be closed. That's when Aaron and his mother came to enroll in the school.
- Contents of paragraph 2: summarize the experiences experienced by the main characters, starting from the placement of seats, their meeting with Pak Harfan, their funny introductions to A Kiong and Ibu Mus, the stupid incident that was done by Borek, and the election of class president which was strongly protested by Kucai. There are lots of interesting events, but don't include them all-choose events that have an important point. the incident where Mahar's extraordinary talent was discovered, Ikal's first love experience, and the risk of Lintang's life who cycled 80 km back and forth from his house to school. These events are the “turning points” in the story.
- Contents of paragraph 3: summarize the incident when the children of the Rainbow Troops had to fight the PN school which was far more advanced and when the Muhammadiyah school they wanted was closed. This is where you should end this paragraph because this incident is the climax of the Laskar Pelangi story and your readers want to know how it will be resolved.
- Contents of Paragraph 4: Summarize the events when Laskar Pelangi won the competition despite such a difficult effort, when the villagers raised funds for the reopening of the Muhammadiyah school, and when the story of the ten herds ended with the death of Lintang's father which forced the little Einstein to drop out. school very touching. You can also tell how the characters in this character, for example Lintang, developed from the beginning of the story. This would be a good transition to enter…
- Conclusion paragraph: talk about the main idea of the book and the moral values you learned. You could talk about how important it is to learn to be brave and not give up to keep going to school. Then conclude with your opinion about the book as a whole. Would you recommend this book to your friends?
Step 6. Organize paragraphs by theme
If you choose a thematic setting, you can develop your paragraphs by topic rather than letting the plot dictate your paragraphs. You should create a paragraph or two of a plot summary, a paragraph about the characters, a paragraph about the book's main idea or theme, and a paragraph summarizing your opinion.
- Start with a VERY short plot summary. Write down the type of book, the setting in the book (school, outer space, or mystical place), what the main character tries or learns, and the ending.
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The paragraph about the character should talk about the main character (or characters) in the story. Who are they, and why are they so important? What do they want to do or learn? What are their advantages and disadvantages? Do they have any changes at the end of the story?
For example, a paragraph about a character in Laskar Pelangi might focus on Ikal, the "protagonist" or main character in the novel. You may also want to talk a little about the other important characters, namely the entire Laskar Pelangi member. This paragraph will show the development of Ikal's character from the beginning of the story to the end
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Paragraphs about the main idea or theme may be the most difficult topic to write, but your notes can help. Think about the values or lessons the characters learn. What did you think when you read this book? Did this book make you question something?
For example, if you're writing about Lupus, you could discuss social inequalities in teenagers' lives. You can also talk about teenagers' tendencies to resist authoritarian figures (such as teachers and parents) and to experience different experiences with friends as they mature
Step 7. Write a conclusion
Conclusion of the report You should summarize the report by reviewing the main points in the book and giving your opinion on the book. Do you like it? Is the book fun to read? Do you agree with the author's ideas or writing style? Did you learn something you never knew before? Explain the reasons for your reaction using examples to support your point of view.
Think of your conclusion as a way to tell others whether or not they should read the book. Will they like it? Should they read it? Why and why not?
Part 3 of 3: Revising Your Book Reading Report
Step 1. Read your report again
You should have a clear structure in your report, with an introduction that provides a short summary of the book's main points, a main paragraph that clearly summarizes the book, and a conclusion that presents an assessment of the book as a whole.
As you read, ask yourself: If you shared this summary with your friends who have not read the book, would they understand what happened? Will they like or dislike the book?
Step 2. Examine the logical transitions in the report
You need transitions between paragraphs, as well as between each idea in a paragraph. These transitions can guide your readers as they try to understand the content of your report.
For example, instead of starting a sentence with the word “this”, remind your reader of what happened in the previous sentence. The word "this" is not clear enough, but "this (contest, gambling, murder)" is clear enough to understand
Step 3. Double-check all the information about the book
Make sure you spell the author's name and character's name correctly, write a complete title, and present the name of the publisher of the book (if requested by your teacher).
Step 4. Read your report aloud
This can help you detect parts that are still difficult to understand. Reading aloud can also help you detect some grammatical errors that need to be corrected.
Step 5. Ask someone else to read your report
The best way to find out if you have successfully summarized the important parts of the book is to have someone else read your report. A friend or parent can spot parts that are still unclear.
Don't tell your friend the story of the book or your focus until he or she has read your report. That way, they will focus solely on the writing in the report-which your teacher will do as well
Step 6. Make sure you and your teacher's names are included in the final version of your report
This is important whether you submit this assignment in typed or handwritten form. If you don't put your name on the report, your teacher won't be able to give you a grade.
Step 7. Make a neat copy on good paper
If you are printing your report from a computer, use thick, clean paper in the printer. Don't get your reports folded or wrinkled before you collect them. If you are handwriting the report, use good, easy-to-read handwriting on clean and tidy paper.
Step 8. Celebrate
You've done a good job. Be proud of your hard work!
Tips
- Try to think about how you would tell the story to someone who doesn't know it.
- Don't wait until the last moment! Start faster, reading and summarizing one chapter a day. This way you won't be doing all the hard work at the same time. It also helps you to quickly write your summary while it is still fresh.
- For parents: read the summary of each chapter quickly. If you can't understand it, tell your child what information is missing so he can know what to add when revising his report.
