Show book cover and state the title and author.
Title:
Author:
Summary (genre, main conflict, main characters, setting):
FIVE prompts (answers should include examples/details from the book):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Recommendation (who would like this book and three reasons; did you like this book,
why or why not?):
Book Talk Grading Rubric
/5 points — Introduction includes author and title and book presented for a visual.
/5 points — The book summary is not too long, but provides enough details to develop an understanding
of the book’s main characters/ideas; the summary suggests the speaker has full knowledge of the book
being discussed.
/5 points — Presentation speaks to at least five prompts from the provided handouts (attached below),
or ones created by the student. Recommendation for or against the book is supported by well-reasoned
points.
/5 points — All behaviours of good public speaking are demonstrated, including sufficient voice volume
and modulation, few “umms” and “likes,” use of note cards for outline only (no reading from note cards),
eye contact with the audience is maintained, speech is 3-4 minutes in length.
/20 TOTAL SCORE
1. Something that surprised you or what you found interesting. Why?
2. What you like or dislike about the book and why.
3. An interesting or important character. Why are they important or interesting?
4. Parts of the book that puzzled you or made you ask questions. How were these
questions answered?
5. What the story means to you. Explain.
6. Your thoughts and feelings about the author's message. What is it? How does it
relate to your experience?
7. What you noticed about the characters, such as what made them act as they did
or how they changed. Be specific.
8. Why you think the author chose the title. How does it fit with the story?
9. Your predictions and whether they were right.
10. How the information in the book fits with what you already know. Explain.
11. How the book is like other books by the same author, or the same topic, or in the
same genre. What are these books?
12. How the book reminds you of other books, especially the characters, events, or
setting.
13. How the illustrations add meaning to the story.
14. The ending and your feelings about it. Is there something missing, or is it just
right? Why?
15. The language the author used and what you thought about it. Is there a quote that
stood out to you? How is it significant-to you or to the story?
16. The author’s craft (vocabulary, dialogue, flashbacks, description, suspense, etc. what was good about the author’s writing?Give examples.
17. Why did you choose this book?
18. Why do you think the author wrote the book? How do you know?
19. What would you change about the book? Why?
20. Was the book easy, just right, or challenging for you? How do you know?
21. Would you recommend the book to another reader? What kind of
reader? Give three reasons why? (required for everyone).