Instruction 8-3

Narrative Presentations | Informative Presentations | Oral Responses to Literature | Persuasive Presentations

We've talked about two kinds of presentations: Narrative Presentations and Informative Presentations. Another kind of presentation you may be asked to give is an Oral Response to Literature. In other words, a book report.

Literature

When we speak of literature, we usually mean fiction. So although you may occasionally be asked to give a report on a nonfiction book, this Instruction will primarily be about responding to fiction.

Why do we read literature? For fun, of course. Also, it helps us understand ourselves, the world and other people. Literature looks at life through the eyes of an artist (the author). It takes us places we could never go. It gives us insights we might never have otherwise had.

Efferent vs. Aesthetic Stance

There are two main ways to respond to literature. They are called the efferent stance and the aesthetic stance. Those are college-professor words, but they mean something simple. The efferent stance means getting information from what you read. The aesthetic stance means responding on the basis of words, mood and feelings. In other words, responding emotionally -- and relating the story to your own life. You can respond both ways at the same time. Most of the time you do.

What to Put in Your Book Report

When you prepare a book report, you should include certain things. For a complete discussion of this, check out eTAP Lesson 3 : Literary Response and Analysis. Remember  the basic elements of literature are plot, theme, character and setting. Here is what you should provide:

A Plot Summary -- give the names of the work and the author plus a brief summary of what happens, in chronological order. Relate your summary to the six basic elements of plot. Those elements are: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Resolution. When you summarize, you show that you have the in-depth knowledge and ability to make inferences about the text.

A Character Analysis -- tell the names of the leading character or characters and how their traits and actions contribute to the plot. The leading character is called the protagonist. The protagonist's opponent is called the antagonist. What kinds of people are they? How do their character traits drive the story? Remember that the characters' conflicts are what a story is all about. If there's no conflict, there's no story.

The Setting -- describe the physical background of the story: where and when the action takes place. Use descriptive words to paint a visual picture for your listeners. The three parts of setting are time, place and the general social characteristics of the place. Setting can have a profound effect on a story, especially on its mood. A story that takes place in an Islamic madras 300 years ago will be different from a story that takes place in New York City today. People do not always act and think the same way. In different times and places they behave differently.

A Theme Statement -- what does the story mean? What is its central message or idea? Don't confuse theme with subject. The subject of a book or short story is what it is about. The theme of a book or short story is what it means. For example, the subject might be "romantic love," while the theme is "true love conquers all."

In addition to the elements mentioned above, you should include your own personal reaction to the book or story. Did you like it or not? Would you recommend it to other people? Why or why not?

Delivering Your Book Report

Now that you've written your book report, you have to deliver it. The suggestions we gave about how to deliver a Narrative Presentation are appropriate here. But something you may also want to do in a book report is to read a few sentences or paragraphs from the book itself. So take the book with you when you make your report -- and be prepared to answer questions from the audience.

For more information on Oral Responses to Literature, click on any of the following

Links for Students, Parents and Teachers

Now let's do Practice Exercise 8-3 (top).

Next Page:  Persuasive Presentations (top)