Handouts from Workshop: 
Reader's Advisory: The Complete Spectrum


How to Prepare A Long Booktalk for Adults
(of 20-40 minutes duration)

  1. Pick a title (or titles) you like and feel comfortable with, based on what you know about the intended audience.

  2. Gather, read, and photocopy all reviews of the book(s) you can find.

  3. Look up the author for pertinent biographical facts and a list of previous titles, awards, etc.

  4. Reread the book, keeping in mind the following:

    • the basic plot

    • the main characters

    • the relationships between the characters

    • the theme

    • the setting

    • the tone

    • the style

    • the voice

    Choose quotes or scenes from the book which reinforce your and/or the critics' observations. Mark the pages with paper clips at the bottom of the page.

     

  5. Organize your talk into an outline, based on the following:

    • How will you introduce the book? (e.g. quote from the book itself, a review, a personal observation, etc., a short talk about a related or contrasting title as a lead-in?)

    • Will the audience have read it? (If not, or if you are unsure, prepare to do a brief verbal plot summary here.)

    • Discuss the author's background and where this title falls in his/her work.

    • Discuss interesting facets of the book in turn with quotes from the text (e.g. theme, setting, tone, characters, etc., in any logical order.) Do not ever tell the audience why they should like it, although you may discuss your reaction. This deduction should flow naturally from your presentation.

    • Discuss the critical reaction to the book and comment on it if you have an opinion. (It is particularly interesting to the audience if you disagree with the critics.)

    • Compare the book, if possible, to other titles of interest either by that author, or others.

    • Summarize your remarks and conclude with a quote from the book and/or a critic-or a relevant poem, etc.

    • Take audience comments and questions. Admit anything you don't know and be prepared for surprises and disagreements. Don't take anything personally.

      -Mary K. Chelton