Creating A Traditional Book Talk
Most booktalk creators and presenters suggest only writing an outline of a booktalk so the booktalk can be presented less as a lecture and more as a conversation. They also recommend that the presenter not memorize a script. It is up to the discretion of the presenter exactly how much of the plot to talk about in the booktalk, but it is universally acknowledged that a booktalker should never give away the ending of the book.
In The Booktalker's Bible seven parameters are considered when planning a book talk: 1. Size of the group; 2. Age of the group; 3. Geography; 4. Time; 5. Money; 6. Frequency; and 7. Schedule25. This title also lists six "Golden Rules of Booktalking": 1. Read the Book; 2. Like the Books You Booktalk; 3. Know Your Audience; 4. Booktalk; 5. Don't Tell the Ending!; 6. Leave a List26.
When creating a booktalk, or editing a previously created booktalk, the presenter needs to remember to keep the talk short and simple. The presenter needs to be able to grab the audience's attention in the first sentence. Sonja Cole, host of the video booktalk website Bookwink.com, recommends keeping a booktalk for children to no more the seven sentences. Introduce the main character and setting in sentences 1 and 2, Summarize the conflict in 3 to 5, and sentences 6 and 7 should get the audience thinking about what happens next in the story27. When booktalking it is important to remember to connect with their previous experiences and engage with them. The presenter can also define and discuss the characteristics of the type of booktalk and some audiences will benefit from a comparison of print and film versions and why the book is almost always better28.
There are a variety of ways to approach a book talk. Lucy Schall8 (author of many guides to book talks) describes the three following common ways to perform a book talk for all ages:
- Sharing passages aloud and reader response
- Reflecting on specific passages for discussion or writing
- Preparing dramatic readings or performances
Caroline Feller Bauer29 offers the following unique alternatives to perform a booktalk for children:
- Making and using crafts with children appropriate to the themes of your books
- Performing simple magic tricks to illustrate the themes of your books
- Using puppets to act out certain passages in a book, to give a booktalk or to narrate a story.
Read more about this topic: Book Talk
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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