Independent Study Book Report Outline – English I Pre IB
Due Date: DECEMBER 9, 2014 (Due Date Has Been Extended from Original)
For this assignment, you will be writing a basic “book review” that explores the major thematic,
literary, and structural elements of your chosen book and expresses your overall feelings and
opinions on the book as a whole. The expected structure of the report is outlined below.
Introduction- You will give a BRIEF summary or overview of the book and pose a THESIS
about the book that answers the question “What were the overall goals of the author in writing
this book (both literary and scientific/historical/etc.)?” Your thesis should include at least some
discussion of the cross-curricular aspect of your chosen novel.
Body- You should spend the next few paragraphs (3-5) defending your thesis. You should use
quotations or paraphrased/summarized information from the novel as textual evidence. You may
also need to include outside research if you are verifying factual evidence from the novel (i.e.—
you might need to do a little research before you claim that Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park is
scientifically accurate). Any outside research should be formatted in MLA style. I will provide a
brief review of MLA style in class in the first week of December.
Conclusion- In this section, you should work to tie together all of your thoughts, but you should
also spend some time discussing why you did or did not enjoy the book. Remember, all opinions
are acceptable, but they must be backed by evidence. Don’t just say “It was stupid,” tell me why
you didn’t like it. Also, avoid words like “stupid” that have no real expressive value in this type
of formal paper.
Other Basic Rules and Requirements:
-Avoid using first person pronouns (I, me, my) or first person voice, because this is to be treated
as a formal writing assignment, even though it expresses an opinion.
-The minimum length of the paper should be at least 700 words (approximately 1.5 pages singlespaced, typed) and the maximum length should be 1500 words (approximately 3 pages, singlespaced, typed). The best rule for length, however, is always to write until you have clearly and
concisely expressed a thought.
-If you choose to hand write the paper, please use blue or black ink. You may write singlespaced, but please only use the front side of the paper.
-Whether typed or hand-written, you paper must have a page number in the upper-right hand
corner of each page, and must use an MLA-Style heading on the first page. See the OWL Purdue
website for this. I will also review the information for a heading in class in the first week of
December.
-If you use outside research, you must include a “Works Cited” page formatted in MLA style.
Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.
Rubric:
Content
Formatting/Style
45-60 Points (Maximum) – The paper
discusses all criteria expressed in the
assignment description. The writer clearly
focuses their thesis and expresses an opinion
on the work in a mature fashion. Details from
the work or from research are used as support
for the author’s thesis and creative and
analytical insights to the work are masterfully
articulated.
25-44 Points (Mid-Range) - The paper
discusses all criteria expressed in the
assignment description. The writer has a thesis
and expresses an opinion on the work. Details
from the work or from research are used as
support for the author’s thesis and creative
although they may not be as thorough and
accurate as a maximum score paper. Portions
of support or analysis may be weak or
superficial.
0-24 Points (Low) - The paper discusses some
of the criteria expressed in the assignment
description. The writer may lack a clear thesis
or not express an opinion on the work in a
mature fashion. Details from the work or from
research are not used or are used improperly as
support for the author’s thesis.
15-20 Points (Maximum)- The writer uses all
conventions of MLA formatting masterfully
and follows all assignment formatting
requirements.
6-14 Points (Mid Range) - The writer uses
most of MLA formatting and follows most
assignment formatting requirements.
0-13 Points (Low) – The writer fails to use
MLA formatting conventions or specific
assignment requirements.
Technical Merit
15-20 Points (Maximum) – The writer has
few to no errors in grammar, mechanics, or
spelling.
6-14 Points (Mid Range) – The writer has
some significant errors in grammar mechanics,
or spelling.
0-13 Points (Low) – The writer has errors in
grammar, mechanics, or spelling that are
distracting to the overall purpose or point of
the writing.