Nonfiction Book Report Format

A nonfiction book is a book that is true.  It can be about science, medicine, or another subject that is related to health care.  Reading a nonfiction book is different than reading a fiction book.  The purpose of the book is different.  A nonfiction book’s purpose is to convey information or persuade you of an opinion.  To critique the book, you have to recognize the author’s purpose, and then see if the author achieved that purpose.

I.                    Organization.  How is the book organized?  Look at the table of contents, read the introduction (if there is one) to see what the book will be covering.  Write what the topic of the book is, and how the author intends to cover this topic.  Use examples from the book.  (1 page)

II.                 What is the author’s purpose in the book?  What is the author trying to inform you about?  Is the author trying to get you to agree with a certain point of view?  Use examples from the book to support your statements.  (1/2 page)

III.               What type of evidence does the author use in the book?  Give 4 examples of evidence the author uses to either inform or convince you.  (1/2 page)

IV.              Do you think the author succeeds?  Does the author do what he/she sets out to do in the book?  Why or why not?  (1/2 page)

V.                 What in the book is related to health care?  What did you learn that you didn’t know before you read the book about health care or medicine?  (1 page)

VI.              Your opinion.  Would you recommend this book to a friend?  Why or why not?  (1/2 page)