Short Reports • A short report is usually written to inform the authority concerned or specific readers about a specific matter so that they can make appropriate decision about the matter. It consists of facts and sometimes analysis of facts. The information provided in a short report is arranged somewhat in a memo format Cover and external title • •Remember the 5 W’s who, what, when, where, why • •Keep title short • •Consider a subtitle, often indicated with a colon • •Avoid titles that are vague, extremely short • •Eliminate judgement terms How to Write a Short Book Report? • Check the task. Try to understand your assignment before you start. • Take notes when reading. Reread the book with a voice recorder or notepad nearby if you have time. Do not forget about brief observations when reading, describing the plot, characters, setting, and tone. • Divide your notes into two to four parts according to major plot shifts. This will help to organize your paper and devote equal time to each part of the book. • Write an opening. Add the book title and the author with a description of the book’s premise in no more than three sentences. Continue • After you have chosen one of the most interesting short report writing topics and written the opening, it is high time to summarize the plot. You may use your notes and the outline to sum up the main points of the plot, section by section. • Summarize the ending. You may choose one of two ways to handle the final plot points according to the purpose. • Describe the main theme. If you suggest that the author has a major purpose in mind, add several words on the theme near the end or beginning of the paper. When knowing how a short book report form looks like, it is always easy to produce a perfect work. Short Report Format • Title Block: The first thing your reader sees. • Abstract/Summary: A bite-sized version of the whole report. • Introduction: Introduce the reader to this particular document. • Background: Define terms, name names, and contextualize. (Expert readers often skip over this part.) • Discussion: Defend your claims, account for mistakes, and organize the details. • Conclusion: Show how all the separate pieces fit together. (Don’t just repeat the purpose statement.)