Describe the setting and time period. Be as specific as possible. For example, if the novel takes place on a farm in southern Missouri in 1875, don’t write “The setting is 19th century Missouri.” Instead, create a picture for the reader. For instance, you might say, “The novel takes place on a run-down sharecropper’s farm in 1875 in Van Buren, Missouri. The wheat crops are failing, and the town has endured a drought for the past two years.”
Include the style in which the book is written, as well as its genre. Perhaps the author uses sparse language or maybe she writes floridly, with lengthy descriptions of characters and settings. Mention whether the book is a historical novel, mystery, romance, science fiction or any other particular genre. Also state whether the book is written in first, second or third person.
Provide descriptions of the main characters and any key minor characters. Explain what they look like, how old they are, their economic class, any unique characteristics they possess, their goals and the obstacles they face.
Include the most important elements of the plot, as well as any significant subplots. Describe key events that happen to the main characters as they attempt to achieve their goals and how the characters change over the course of the novel.
List themes in the novel, such as racial prejudice, good versus evil, innocence lost, the search for love or the quest for personal redemption. If possible, make note of quotes that support your claims and/or analysis.
Provide an overview of the general subject matter. For instance, if the book is a biography, list reasons that the man or woman highlighted is influential or important. If the book covers a period in history, briefly describe the importance of the era or location the book covers.
Use the table of contents as a guide to choose the most important parts of the book to summarize. Include the sections that stand out and represent the book as a whole.
List reasons you think the author wrote the book and which points he emphasizes the most. Also mention any unanswered questions you have about the topic after having read the book.