SUGGESTED SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

2012

Course Description: The AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature (fiction). Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone

Rationale: Summer reading is not required, though you are strongly recommended to use some of your time this summer to get ahead since once we return to school in the fall, we will immediately begin work on our first text. We do not read in class; it is expected that all of the reading will be done outside of class. The texts for A.P. Literature have been selected because of the rich depth of experience they provide us. Just as you notice additional elements in movies when viewing them a second (or third) time, you will need to read beyond a first draft reading of these texts. It is also important to realize that if you come into class having already read the book, you will then be able to focus on rereading sections, understanding the themes and appreciating the literary techniques, a necessary aspect of A.P. level work.

The texts that we would like for you to read this summer are:

1. The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien (only one edition available) – due September 10/11
2. Slaughterhouse V – Kurt Vonnegut Jr. – due October 9/10
3. The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver – due November 12/13 **This is not required summer reading, but it is strongly recommended. 

The texts are numbered in the order that they will be studied. We would also like for you to try to purchase your own copies. This is particularly important at the A.P. level because you will need to annotate the text as we study it. Don’t forget the public library – they should have copies of all the texts. If you cannot annotate in the book itself, you may annotate on post-it notes or take notes on paper. Be sure to include page numbers on any notes so that you can easily reference the sections of the book. There is an annotation rubric on the English department website.

Additional materials for these two books will be available on the English department’s school webpage as well as the Guidance department’s school webpage. If you have questions, please see or email Mrs. Donahue; she will periodically check her email this summer.

Other novels we will study and suggest you purchase are:

• She Stoops to Conquer (Oliver Goldsmith) – due October 29/30

**This will be read in class, so start PWB right now

• The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver) – due November 12/13
• Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad –  get a version with endnotes)  - due January 7/8
• William Shakespeare Tragedy –  either Othello or King Lear – it will be selected by your individual teacher – due February 11/12
• Independent Reading Selection (predetermined list) – due March 11/12
• Home Toni Morrison – due April 8/9

*****Novel due dates WILL NOT change in the event of school cancelations.*****

For each of the following sets of questions, students should answer in complete sentences unless otherwise indicated. Please place all answers on a separate sheet of paper.

The Things They Carried                              Due Date: September 10/11

1. Which “chapter” was your favorite episode? Why did this particular section resonate with you?  Explain your selection and reasoning in at least one full paragraph.
2. What themes and messages do you think O’Brien is attempting to communicate through the text as a whole? Provide at least three possibilities with textual support.  This should be three full paragraphs in length.
3. Chose a short passage that you consider important and/or moving. Mark it (annotate) in your text and make notes about 3-5 particular elements in the passage that are worthy of deeper analysis.  What elements of this section are particularly interesting/pertinent to close reading?  Remember your DIDLS strategies for annotating.  Please photocopy your annotated selection.
4. What is important about the structure of the work?  How is the text organized and why is it structured in this way? What is the effect of using vignettes to tell the story?  What is the overall purpose?

Rubric: To earn full credit, responses must be:

• complete – they answer all parts of the questions
• thorough – they use specific examples from the text for support
• thoughtful – show evidence of mature reading, thinking and reflecting
• well-presented – complete sentences, neat, typed or handwritten in blue or black ink
• “Notes”-free – completed without evidence of Sparknotes or Clif Notes or other such resources