That term is used pretty loosely. Some people mean a detailed synopsis. Others want an in-depth analysis on one or more literary devices. Some people actually mean a critic's review of the book. There are even those who want EVERYTHING. Storyboard That wants to bring all of the different kinds of book reports together in a much more engaging medium. Make that dreaded book report something fun with different types of projects! Incorporate student choice and let your students pick the way they want to create a report on a book!
The basis for understanding any piece of literature is to know what is going on. Being able to retell or summarize a story is especially important for students in the younger grades to make sure they can comprehend what they are reading. However, there are very complex plots and subplots in many pieces of high school literature as well, and a synopsis can be highly useful for discussing and understanding the structure of the story.
There are many ways to sum up the plot of a story, depending on length, complexity, and type of story. For a more detailed look, check out the following articles:
When reading literature, we want students to pick up on various literary devices and elements in addition to understanding the plot of the story. Literary devices enrich plot, character development, description, the reader's connection to the story, and so much more.
Here are a few of the literary devices and literary elements that we love:
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Everybody has an opinion. The Common Core wants students to be able to critically analyze the writing of others for style, technique, arguments, and so much more. Spitting back facts or the events in a story does not necessarily mean a student actually understands deeper meanings or can parse out authors' strategies and goals.
Whether you want your students to be wary of rhetorical strategies, the quality of writing, personal opinion on the story, or validity of argument or historical accuracy, we have you covered:
Posters, especially movie posters, are a great way for students to showcase symbols and themes in a story. There are so many ways to put together a poster for a book, but students will be able to pick the most important elements of a story and represent them visually.
