example of a book report cover page

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Training and Development
• Beginner Guides

Blog Graphic Design

20 Professional Report Cover Page Examples & Templates

By Michelle Martin , Aug 11, 2023

The combination of reports and business resembles the harmonious pairing of peanut butter and jelly, yet the process of crafting reports is often more intricate than assembling the yummy sandwich.

Fret not! Behold these 20 report cover page templates, seamlessly blending professionalism with style. These templates are guaranteed to bestow a flawless final flourish upon your most recent statistical masterpiece.

The cherry on top? Every single one of them is both cost-free and effortlessly adaptable, allowing you to personalize them to your liking in under a minute.

Looking for even more convenience? The Venngage report maker , along with an array of versatile report templates , stands ready to provide you with exceptional assistance in your endeavor.

Click to jump ahead:

What’s the purpose of a report cover page?

20 free report cover page templates, how to make a report cover page, report cover page faqs.

You didn’t spend umpteen hours researching, writing, editing, proofing and perfecting your  business report  just for nobody to read it, right? Your report cover page, also known as your title page, matters because it’s the first thing people see. Your report cover page is a first impression.

From it, people make snap judgments like:

• What is this about?
• Do I need to read this?
• Is this going to be worth my time?

Several things subconsciously make up those judgments, including:

• Your title, and how intriguing it is (or isn’t).
• The cover page’s design.

Because it’s your first page, seeing a polished and professional report cover page / title page subconsciously makes people assume your report is equally as high quality, too. And that makes them more likely to actually read it and have a positive opinion of it afterwards.

All ready to impress? Let’s take a look at 20 report cover page templates that’ll help you nail those first impressions and  create an amazing report !

Classic report cover page templates

Work for a large company or presenting to a conservative audience? Play it safe with this classic professional report cover page template.

For most reports, a simple cover page is all you need. Swap out the tea mug for your own logo, or another illustration that better fits your company from our collection of  over 20,000 icons .

This report cover page template also features a large photo, but with a more refined design that’s perfect for corporations,  consulting firms  and institutions.

An academic vibe emanates from this report cover page template, so it’s perfect for technical reports or institutions.

I love that this report cover features key insights on the cover to hook your potential reader right away. This would be perfect for a  white paper  or study, or even to highlight the best data from your sales or  annual report .

This template also features a large cover photo, but keeps the rest of the  report design  minimal with only a title and company name. Because of the huge photo space, it’s perfect for showing off physical projects, like real estate developments.

This report cover page template is ideal for any type of report, although it’s particularly suited to making your  financial reports  shine.

Bold report cover page templates

The bright color and chunky border set this report cover page template / title page apart from the rest. Go big and get your report noticed.

Show off your work or team with this professional, but splashy, report cover template.

Perfect for promoting your brand colors, this bold template is sure to get your reader’s attention.

This colorful cover page template packs a punch while being super quick to customize. Change the text to your report title and you’re done. You could leave the colored bars as is, or change them to match your brand colors.

An eye-catching report cover with the most minimal approach possible: Only a title. Unlike the others featured here, this one doesn’t include a company name, date, or any other text fields. You can stay with the minimal approach, or add more text fields easily in the  Venngage editor .

This report cover template brings boldness not only with bright colors and shapes, but also being in landscape format. Ooh, rebellious.

Simple yet elegant, this report cover puts your products or  project  front and center with a modern flair sure to get attention.

Creative report cover page templates

Punch it up a notch with this colorful cover page. It’s perfect for  marketing presentations  or any report geared toward design-minded folks.

This fun cover page template reminds me of an old-school composition notebook. Changing the colors to black and white would emphasize that effect — sure to be a hit with the elder Millennials on your team. 😉

While it may not be suitable for a boardroom of C-suite executives, this report cover’s illustrative style will certainly turn heads. Reimagine this scene with entirely new elements from our library of  over 40,000 icons and illustrations , or simply replace a few individual items to better suit  your HR reporting  needs.

If the above template is too casual for your audience, try this title page. It has a more classic layout while still utilizing creative illustration elements.

Customizing this illustrated report cover is quick and easy: Replace the icons inside the silhouette with graphics or text that represents your industry or the subject matter of your report.

Featuring a modern, minimal border and cute, yet still professional, illustrations, this report cover page template is perfect for study results and insightful reports.

• Choose a template

Pick any of the report cover page templates featured in this article, or browse our  full collection of report templates . I’ve shown you the cover pages here, but every template also comes with a full set of inner pages to make your entire report shine.

I’m using  this report cover template  for this example.

Click  Create  on the template you want to use.

• Add your branding

Clicking  Create  on a template opens the editor tool where you can easily swap out colors, fonts, images, edit text and more.

To swap a color, click on the element you want to change, then click the  color icon  in the top bar and choose a new one. You can use the eyedropper to pick another color from your template, or enter a HEX or RGB color code. You can also adjust the opacity.

Need some inspiration? Check out these top  color palette generators .

To edit text, click on the text box you want to change. Double-clicking automatically selects the text. Start typing to overwrite it, or select just the section you want to change.

With the text box selected, change the font, color, size or other styles using the formatting bar at the top.

You can also upload your own font file to ensure your report cover perfectly matches the rest of your report, and brand.

• Swap out images

To edit an image, click on it and choose  Replace .

You can upload your own image, or search and choose from over 3 million  royalty-free stock images  from Pexels and Pixabay, conveniently accessible right inside the editor.

You may run into what I have with this report cover page template: I changed the photo, but it’s still got the blue overlay on it. Not to worry, here’s how to change that.

Open the left side menu and click  Background . You can choose a new background color based on other colors used in your document — an easy way to keep designs on-brand — or, specify your own color. You can even add a gradient background with one click, or add a pattern on top of your background color.

The possibilities are endless for customizing your visual elements.

Once you change the background color, your photo may be too dark or too light to show up properly. To adjust this, click on the photo, then  Opacity  at the top. Play around with it until it looks just right.

• Optional: Create the rest of your report

Click on any page to edit it and add in your report content. Click the  plus icon  to add a new blank page, or the  double-rectangle icon  to duplicate an existing page.

No time for that level of detail, or already have a completed report and only need a cover? No problem — just  export the first page  as your new cover and attach it to your existing PDF with  Adobe Acrobat ,  Preview  for Mac, or with an online tool like  MergePDF .

• Wow your boss/team/mom

Whoever’s gonna be reading your report will be heckin’ impressed by your top notch style, friend. Nicely done.

What should be on a report cover page?

There is only one “must-have” thing on your report cover: your report title.

But, most people also include:

• Your company name
• Company website URL
• Contact information, like email or phone number (usually only if giving a presentation)
• An identifier of what type of report it is (e.g. “ Annual Report ,” “Q4 Earnings Report,” “ Progress Update ,” etc)

Ultimately, what you include is up to you and the requirements of your report. You can easily add new text fields or images — or edit existing ones — to any of our  report cover page templates  to suit your needs.

Does my report cover page need to match the rest of my report?

Well… it’d be nice if it did. But no, it’s not required.

For example, your report may be in a spreadsheet format, or listing out balance sheets and financial statements. Most of these types of reports are automatically generated from software. Trying to brand them by copy and pasting that content into a nice looking template probably isn’t worth your time.

Plus, the people reviewing those reports are likely expecting the familiar format they’re used to and may be put off by a big change.

But your report cover page and actual report don’t need to be identical to “match.”

As long as the font in your report isn’t size 36 Comic Sans, attaching a nicely designed cover page will make any report appear more professional and put together. (If your report  is  in Comic Sans, sorry, nothing can redeem it.)

Make a report cover page in 60 seconds or less

A professional, well-designed report cover page communicates the value of your report right away. It immediately gives your reader the impression of importance and competence, which is probably what you want your boss to think about you.

Plus, a great title page makes it much more likely your report will actually be read.

To recap, here’s how to make your own report cover page in less than 60 seconds:

• Step 1:  Sign up for a free  Venngage account .
• Step 2:  Choose a report cover page template.
• Step 3:  Add your branding, colors, fonts, and edit the text.
• Step 4 (Optional):  Create the rest of your report with matching report page templates.
• Step 5:  Save, share, print or export your cover and attach it to your existing report.

It’s really that quick to make a professional report cover page using a Venngage report cover page template. Gather your brand elements and report title and go forth and rock that report!

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Arts and Entertainment

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 1,411,947 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 1 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

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Louise Pena

May 17, 2016

Did this article help you?

Ashley Egerage

Nov 13, 2017

Aug 20, 2016

Charlotte Arney

Mar 10, 2023

Nov 16, 2017

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

• Try for free

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 .

Featured Middle School Resources

Related Resources

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

How to Write a Book Report

• 5-minute read
• 5th September 2021

A book report is an essay that summarizes the main ideas presented by the author. But how do you write a good book report? Our top tips include:

• Check the assignment instructions so you know what you need to do.
• Read the book , making notes as you go.
• Plan your book report and create an essay outline .
• Write up your report , using examples and quotes to support your points.
• Revise and proofread your work to eliminate errors.

In the rest of this post, we look at how to write a book report in more detail.

1. Check the Assignment Instructions

Book reports come in many different types, so the first thing you should do if you’re asked to write one is check the assignment instructions carefully. Key aspects of the essay instructions to pay attention to include:

• The required length of the book report (and any maximum word count ).
• Whether you will be assigned a book to write about or whether you will be asked to pick one yourself (either from a list supplied by the tutor or based on a set of requirements, such as a book about a set topic).
• What aspects of the book to write about (e.g., will it just be a summary of the book’s content, or will you also need to offer some critical analysis?).
• Any requirements for structuring and formatting your report (e.g., whether to break the essay up into sections with headings and subheadings).

If anything about the instructions is unclear, check it with your tutor.

2. Read the Book and Make Notes

Next, you’ll need to read the book you’re writing about in full, not just skim through or read a synopsis! This means you’ll need to leave enough time before the deadline to read the text thoroughly (and write up your report).

When you are reading, moreover, make sure to take notes on:

• Basic bibliographic details, including the title, author name(s), year of publication, publisher, and number of pages.
• How the book is structured (e.g., whether it uses chapters).
• The overall plot or argument, plus key ideas and/or plot points from each part.
• For works of fiction, important characters and themes.
• Significant quotations or examples you might want to use in your report.

Where possible, make sure to note down page numbers as well. This will make it easier to find the relevant parts again when you’re reviewing your notes.

3. Outline Your Book Report

How you structure your report will ultimately depend on the length (e.g., a short, 500-word report is unlikely to use separate sections and headings, while a longer one will need these to help break up the text and guide the reader) and the assignment instructions, so make sure to review these carefully.

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

However, common elements of a book report include:

• An introductory paragraph or section with basic book details (e.g., the title, author(s), genre, publisher, publication date, and intended audience).
• Information about the author’s background and, where relevant, credentials.
• An overview of the book’s plot (fiction and narrative non-fiction), or its main idea (other non-fiction), sometimes with a section-by-section breakdown.
• Information on characters, setting, and themes (fiction and narrative non-fiction), or key ideas and concepts set out by the author (other non-fiction).
• Where required, critical analysis or evaluation of the book.

When planning your book report, then, use your notes and the assignment instructions to outline your essay, breaking it down into clearly defined sections and noting what you will include in each one.

4. Write Up Your Book Report

When it comes to writing up your report, helpful tips include:

• Imagine the reader will be unfamiliar with the book and try to ensure your report covers all the information they’d need to know what it is about.
• Use clear, concise language to make your report easy to follow. Look out for wordiness and repetition, and don’t be tempted to pad out your report with irrelevant details just to increase the word count!
• Use examples and quotations to support your points (but don’t rely too heavily on quotations; keep in mind that the report should be in your own words).
• Follow the formatting instructions set out in your style guide or the assignment instructions (e.g., for fonts, margins, and presenting quotations).

If you use quotations in your report, moreover, make sure to include page numbers! This will help the reader find the passages you’ve quoted.

5. Revise and Proofread Your Work

When you have the first draft of your book report, if you have time, take a short break (e.g., overnight) before re-reading it. This will help you view it objectively. Then, when you do re-read it, look out for ways you could improve it, such as:

• Typos and other errors that need correcting.
• Issues with clarity or places where the writing could be more concise (reading your work aloud can make it easier to spot clunky sentences).
• Passages that would benefit from being supported with a quote or example.

It’s also a good idea to re-read the assignment instructions one last time before submitting your work, which will help you spot any issues you missed.

Finally, if you’d like some extra help checking your writing, you can have it proofread by a professional . Submit a free sample document today to find out more.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

3-minute read

What Is a Content Editor?

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

4-minute read

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

2-minute read

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

What Is Market Research?

No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...

8 Press Release Distribution Services for Your Business

In a world where you need to stand out, press releases are key to being...

How to Get a Patent

In the United States, the US Patent and Trademarks Office issues patents. In the United...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing a Book Report

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

This resource discusses book reports and how to write them.

Book reports are informative reports that discuss a book from an objective stance. They are similar to book reviews but focus more on a summary of the work than an evaluation of it. Book reports commonly describe what happens in a work; their focus is primarily on giving an account of the major plot, characters, thesis, and/or main idea of the work. Most often, book reports are a K-12 assignment and range from 250 to 500 words.

Book reviews are most often a college assignment, but they also appear in many professional works: magazines, newspapers, and academic journals. If you are looking to write a book review instead of a book report, please see the OWL resource, Writing a Book Review .

Before You Read

Before you begin to read, consider what types of things you will need to write your book report. First, you will need to get some basic information from the book:

• Publisher location, name of publisher, year published
• Number of Pages

You can either begin your report with some sort of citation, or you can incorporate some of these items into the report itself.

Next, try to answer the following questions to get you started thinking about the book:

• Author: Who is the author? Have you read any other works by this author?
• Genre: What type of book is this: fiction, nonfiction, biography, etc.? What types of people would like to read this kind of book? Do you typically read these kinds of books? Do you like them?
• Title: What does the title do for you? Does it spark your interest? Does it fit well with the text of the book?
• Pictures/Book Jacket/Cover/Printing: What does the book jacket or book cover say? Is it accurate? Were you excited to read this book because of it? Are there pictures? What kinds are there? Are they interesting?

As You Read

While reading a work of fiction, keep track of the major characters. You can also do the same with biographies. When reading nonfiction works, however, look for the main ideas and be ready to talk about them.

• Characters: Who are the main characters? What happens to them? Did you like them? Were there good and bad characters?
• Main Ideas: What is the main idea of the book? What happens? What did you learn that you did not know before?
• Quotes: What parts did you like best? Are there parts that you could quote to make your report more enjoyable?

When You Are Ready to Write

Announce the book and author. Then, summarize what you have learned from the book. Explain what happens in the book, and discuss the elements you liked, did not like, would have changed, or if you would recommend this book to others and why. Consider the following items as well:

• Principles/characters: What elements did you like best? Which characters did you like best and why? How does the author unfold the story or the main idea of the book?
• Organize: Make sure that most of your paper summarizes the work. Then you may analyze the characters or themes of the work.
• Your Evaluation: Choose one or a few points to discuss about the book. What worked well for you? How does this work compare with others by the same author or other books in the same genre? What major themes, motifs, or terms does the book introduce, and how effective are they? Did the book appeal to you on an emotional or logical way?
• Recommend: Would you recommend this book to others? Why? What would you tell them before they read it? What would you talk about after you read it?

Revising/Final Copy

Do a quick double check of your paper:

• Double-check the spelling of the author name(s), character names, special terms, and publisher.
• Check the punctuation and grammar slowly.
• Make sure you provide enough summary so that your reader or instructor can tell you read the book.
• Consider adding some interesting quotes from the reading.

MS Word Cover Page Templates

Download, personalize & print, report cover page designs.

Posted By: admin 26/09/2018

The cover page, also known as the title page, is the first and front page of a book, report, business proposal, magazine, or any other document. It is an important part of the document as it gives introductory information regarding what the document is about as well as who has written it.

It gives a reflection of the whole document and what is contained in it. The cover page helps the reader decide whether the document is of interest to him or not. In addition, the cover page is also important because it sets the first impression on whoever glances at the document.

The cover page of the report gives the ‘big idea’ of what the report is about, as it states the report’s title. It should be clear, professional, formal, and appropriate for the topic or area covered in the report. The cover page of the report varies slightly based on the formatting style (such as APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.) that is being used by the report. However, the main information included is:

• Title of the report.
• Subtitle, if any.
• Author and co-authors.
• Details of the authors, such as title, email, contact, etc.
• Submission place, such as the name of institute, organization, journal, publisher, etc.
• Company logo or any other image, if any.
• Date of the report.
• header, if any.
• A summary of the report

The information required on the cover page depends on the type of report being written. For instance, for an academic report, the instructor might provide specific instructions for the cover page. However, for other reports, a catchy cover page might be an important part of the overall presentation of the report.

The cover page is designed based on the information that is to be included. Sometimes the authors opt for the available cover page templates or designs, and sometimes they design their own. The main advantage for the author of using the available templates or designs is the time that is saved.

The available templates, usually designed in MS Word, are easily available and downloadable. They are pre-formatted, easy to update, and customizable, so the author can change them according to his requirements.

The designs or templates in MS Word are attractive and catchy, so a good impression of the report can be made by using an appealing cover page. Therefore, when designing a cover page or selecting a template, the following things should be kept in mind:

• Purpose of the report
• Images that are being included, if any.
• Compelling title and subtitle (if any)
• Overall layout and presentation.
• Summary content.

The selection of a cover page is important, especially in the business world. As the reader first glances at the cover page, it usually makes an impression on his mind whether the report is worth attention. Therefore, the right choice of the cover page template is critical, as the success of the report is somehow dependent on it.

A catchy combination of deep and bright red on the lighter base color is the first cover page we have to offer. This cover page has a unique look to it. It divides the whole page into sections. The top area is for any heading that the user may wish to tell the viewer. This is the best way to highlight the main point. The second part of the page steals the show as it bears the title of the cover page in a prominent font style and size. Any detailed account can follow the title.

Cover page format: MS Word. File Size: 3 MB License:   [Only for personal use ]

The black base gives this cover photo a bold look. Very few people usually opt for a dark cover, but trust us, it has its grace. You can’t deny the fact that black never disappoints, does it? To give it some color, shades of orange are used in places. Overall, this report’s cover page has its impact and impression. This can be used for all professional reports, without question. The title of the cover page will be the most prominent feature here. The user can add any type of detail just below the title.

This is one of the most downloaded report cover pages we have in this category. The reason is the professional look it has to offer. White can never disappoint when it comes to business documents. The image, the border, and the color used for it enhance the overall feeling. Another unique aspect that it has is that the cover page title is placed at the bottom, along with space for general details, while the top space is fixed for the heading and contact information. So this cover page is not very textual; rather, it is pictorial.

A very unique and innovative design is on our list of report cover pages. If you take note of this design, it has many shades of blue in it, which gives it the coolest and most amazing look possible. The top of the page is for the title of the cover page. The headline, along with the necessary details, will go in the space in the middle of the page. This gives much-needed attention to this detail. The bottom of the page has another text box for some headings if the user wishes to communicate something important to the viewer.

The last cover of our amazing list is a masterpiece in its own way. This design is like no other on the list. This special cover is divided into two distinct parts. The lower portion is dyed a deep red color, which is giving it a life for sure. The upper plain portion is for the title of the page and any contact details that the company may wish to provide. The lower-colored part bears all the major and minor details that need to be put on a report cover page. This cover page has an organized look and feel to it, which will create the same impression about the report itself.

• Medical Articles Journal Cover Pages
• Company Profile Cover Pages
• Medical Case Study Cover Pages
• Hospital Annual Report Cover Pages
• Computer Assignment Page Designs
• Medical Assignment Cover Pages
• Economic Thesis/Dissertation Cover Pages
• Political Research Paper Cover Pages
• Computer Project Cover Pages
• Medical Proposal Cover Pages

Word & Excel Templates

Printable Word and Excel Templates

Report Cover Pages

Documentation of a file is a significant part of the business. A cover page of any document is an essential page that displays the title of the page. The report cover page includes the information that depends on the report for which it has been prepared.

The format of the cover page:

There is no rule or strict format to follow while preparing a report cover page. This provides you an opportunity to use your creativity to choose different designs to make an attractive cover page.

Key elements of the report cover page:

The main details included in the report cover page are:

• The name of the author
• The file names
• The version of the document

Report cover page templates:

Those people who are not familiar with the format of the cover page can use the template. Apart from this, drafting a cover sheet for your report from scratch can be time-consuming. For this purpose, readymade templates are always there to facilitate the user.

A cover page is required to be attractive so that it can grab the attention of the onlooker. For this purpose, you can use different styles and themes. There are some templates with beautiful designs and textures that can be used by downloading free of cost.

Elegant and professional-looking templates are the best source for a nice report cover page. They not only provide you with customization features but also enable you to use these templates with ease and comfort. Whether you want to download a cover page template for personal use or your business, there is always a unique style for you to use.

You can get a template with bright colors and abstract designs and also one with decent and soft colors with personalized themes. If you have the design in mind, adding it to the readymade template is very handy. Most of the available templates have been prepared in MS Word format. These templates are easy to edit and serve as the best tool for documentation.

File Size: 3MB

• Patient Information Cover Sheet Templates
• Goal-oriented to-do List Template
• Individual Expense Report Template
• Travel Expense Report Template
• Corporate Credit Card Expense Report Template
• Bucket List Template
• Errands To-do-list Template
• Construction Project Timeline Template for Excel
• Marketing Campaign Timeline Template
• Product Launch Timeline Template for Excel
• Savings Goal Tracker Template
• Simple Project Timeline Template
• Project Schedule Templates
• Milestone Chart Template for Excel
• Employee Salary Statement Certificate Templates

• Business Templates
• Sample Reports

FREE 8+ Report Cover Page Samples in MS Word | PDF

As important as an actual report, a report cover page, being the first page of a report document, is where you can see the title of the report, detailed with such information that you can be able to think ahead or grasp a clear idea of what to expect after opening the first few pages of the report document.

Report Cover Page

Sample report cover page - 11+ documents in pdf, sample report cover page - 7+ documents in word, pdf, sample cover sheet template - 9+ free documents download in ....

These usual details would be what the particular report is about, who wrote it and such. As you can tell, it basically answers the what, who, when, where questions. You can also browse through some pages of these  Proposal Cover Page Samples  to see such for yourself.

Sample Book Report Cover Page

Size: 26 KB

Annual Report Cover Page in PDF

Size: 41 KB

Project Report Cover Page

Size: 46 KB

Business Report Cover Page

Size: 35 KB

Financial Report Cover Page

Size: 61 KB

How to Make Your Report Cover Page

You can also have a look at  Report Outline Samples  as well as  Professional Report Samples  for an additional reference, which can definitely contribute to how you usually write your reports as well as how you organize the information on the cover page of your report.

There are a whole bunch of report cover pages that may differ with its style and formatting, as long as the main idea and the necessary details are being provided. And even though most people have their own unique ways of styling and making an impressive report cover letter, here is another way of how you can be able to write and style your own report cover letter for maximum satisfaction.

So here are quick tips and guidelines on how to creatively make your own report cover in a few simple-to-follow yet effective steps.

• Leave a space down for your title. Feel free to use the the Enter button if you are using a Windows operating system, and for the Mac users, the return button would serve as having the same function. It should also be one-third of the way down the page according to wikiHow. Aside from that, always remember to use case capitalization, to properly use punctuation, to always spell check as well as to always mind your grammar.

Lab Report Cover Page Format

Size: 33 KB

Internship Report Cover Page

College Report Cover Page

Size: 24 KB

• After that, place your name under the title. From the title of your report, press the return or Enter button once and type out your name. Usually, the recommended format would be your first name, your middle name or your middle initial/s, and your last name. If there are two or more authors, do not forget to include the author(s)’ full name.
• Add the affiliated organization. This can be the university or any other organization in which you are affiliated with. According to wikiHow, this is just essentially pointing out to your readers where you did the most parts of your research. Also, if you have two or more authors who happen to be affiliated with different organizations, you can separate the names of those authors and specifically indicate the affiliated organizations of each writer below his or her name. On the other hand, if you happen to have two or more authors who have the same affiliation, you can list the names of their writers and specifically place the name of the organization after that.

Moreover, you can also check out some  Printable Adult Coloring Page Samples  for additional helpful information.

Related Posts

Free 10+ acknowledgement for internship report samples [ hotel, hospital, teaching ], free 11+ student performance report samples [ medical, academic, class ], free 15+ field report samples in pdf | ms word, free 11+ field trip report samples [ agriculture, educational, environmental ], free 49+ sample reports in ms word | pdf, free 12+ sample construction project report templates in ms word | google docs | pages | pdf, free 11+ sample project completion reports in ms word | google docs | pages | numbers | excel | pdf, free 10+ physics lab report samples in pdf | ms word, free 13+ construction inspection report samples in pdf | ms word, free 20+ annual report samples in pdf | ms word | pages | google docs | ai, free 9+ land survey report samples [ project, market, online ], free 12+ writing assessment report samples [ risk, psychological, security ], free 37+ sample hr report templates in ms word | pdf |apple pages | google docs, free 9+ child observation report samples [ school, behavior, physical ], free 10+ quality assurance report samples [ audit, monthly, investigation ], sample animal report - 6+ documents in pdf, sample internship report template – 9+ free documents ..., sample report outline template - 7+ free documents download in ..., sample mla cover page template - 6+ free documents in pdf, word.