Book Report Alternative: The Elements of Fiction

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

In this lesson students review the elements of fiction and key components of a book report. They are then given an opportunity to identify and share these concepts by writing and illustrating their own mini-book based on a fiction book they have chosen to read. They use the online Stapleless Book tool to publish their mini-books. This activity offers an alternative to the traditional book report and an opportunity for students to share their work in pairs or small groups and learn from each other.

back to top

 

FEATURED RESOURCES

Stapleless Book: This online tool allows students to create books that can be printed and folded into mini-books without the use of staples.

back to top

 

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

In her article "Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report," Diana Mitchell writes: "Students tire of responding to novels in the same ways. They want new ways to think about a piece of literature and new ways to dig into it." This lesson invites students to respond to texts in a new way while also helping them focus on key points in their books and challenging them to write concisely and to "read like writers." By focusing on the key elements of fiction, this lesson  reinforces the reading-writing connection.

Further Reading

Mitchell, Diana. "Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report." English Journal 87.1 (January 1998): 92-95.

back to top