Writing the Summary

• 1). Take chapter notes as you read the book to help you remember the plot details.
  
  
• 2). Extract the most relevant plot points from your chapter notes; focus on details relating to the overall plot of the book rather than more intricate details. For example, if you were writing about the most relevant plot points from Chapter 5 of "Jane Eyre," you would discuss the fact that Jane arrives at her new school and befriends a young woman named Helen Burns.
  
  
• 3). Compose the plot details so that they form a cohesive summary of the book. When writing the summary for the book review, include details from the end of the story so your teacher can evaluate the full report; when giving an actual presentation, however, you may not want to spoil the ending for others who may wish to read the book.
  
  

Setting Up the Analysis

• 1). Review the chapter notes of the book you read, this time examining them for themes, motifs and symbols.
  
  
• 2). Incorporate the major themes, motifs and symbols into the summary in order to set the stage for the analysis portion of the book report. For example, a major theme in "Jane Eyre" is love versus autonomy, so cite examples of that struggle in your summary so you can refer to them later.
  
  
• 3). Return to the summary after you have written the analysis to make sure the reader has all the information needed to understand your conclusions.