Summer ReadingSummer Reading

Summer Reading Assignments for Honors and AP English Classes


Work Assigned over Summer of 2008 is as follows:

English 9 Honors

  • Read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Read All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Remarque

    Assignment 1

    Write a focused, fully developed, and logical five paragraph essay. There is seldom a chapter which does not teach Scout Finch something new or which does not build toward a new learning experience. Thus, one rewarding approach to the novel is through an examination of these experiences.
    Discuss what Scout Finch learns about (1) justice and injustice through the Tom Robinson trial; (2) prejudice and its effect upon the process of the law and society; (3) courage as shown in ways other than physical acts.
    A ballad is composed in four-lined rhymed stanzas (every other line ryhmes with each other) with strong simple rhythm. Frequently, the ballads are told through dialogue of the characters (yours will be Paul's).

    Organization for Five-paragraph Essay:

    Introductory paragraph = 4 or more sentences

  • Begin with an interesting or unusual "hook" sentence to grag the reader's attention.
  • Include 2 general comments or background information (include name of novel and the author's name) leading up to the thesis sentence. Make your introduction flow logically into the thesis. A thesis statement is one sentence of purpose (the 3 points).
  • Conclude introductory paragraph with a focused thesis (three ideas = points). The purpose of what is intended to be proven. Points should be parallel structure: Scout was honest, courageous, and respectful.


    • Three body paragraphs = 5 or more sentences for each paragraph

  • Use a general topic sentence which supports the thesis and introduces the point to be discussed.
  • Use the same order for all paragraphs.
  • Use the same order for the 3 body paragraphs as the order of the thesis.
  • Use transitional devises to join one paragraph to another.
  • Use transitions to show the relationship of ideas in each paragraph.
  • Use convincing support (evidence from text) specific details (not word for word either)
  • Put the support in your own words.
  • Use 2 quotes which are to be woven into the sentence with a page number in parentheses (38) after each quote.


    • Conclusion = 3 or 4 sentences

  • "Ties up" the topic -- What knowledge or feelings does the reader leave the novel with?
  • Discuss Harper Lee's universal message and/or warning to the reader illustrated through the children's experiences.
  • Does the book end with hope, remorse, or just awareness?
  • Repeat the points differently.


    • * The essay should be free of plot summary but sue convincing explanations directly relevant to each point. Use present tense, third person point of view (Do not use "I" or "you").

    * Double space paper, 1" margins, name, teacher, class, and date on top left side of paper.

    Assignment 2

    For All Quiet on the Western Front create a Visual Essay addressing the theme of war and peace. A visual essay is a combination of visual images and carefully selected words used economically to express a personal feeling and/or viewpoint about a theme (a universal truth about all wars). You should express a personal feeling and viewpoint about war, suggest an emotional and intellectual response in viewers, heighten viewers' awareness about the theme, and stimulate viewers to stop and think about war's effects and impacts.

    Guidelines:

  • Express a specific viewpoint. "War is bad" is not specific.
  • Use drawings, photographs, quotations from veterans, clippings, war poems, song lyrics, quotation from a line in the novel that best incorporate a major theme of the book and prominently display it on a full sheet of poster board.
  • Write name and semester on the back of poster.
  • Give a brief explanation of why you chose quote and images. Give a specific view that you are attempting to communicate of your visual essay on back of poster.
  • Use words selectively and minimally. Think of a billboard where words need to be read quickly in passing.
  • Combine visual images and words to "pack a wallop" for the viewer.

    • Evaluation Criteria:

  • The specific message is clear to the viewer.
  • The viewpoint is specific (not general).
  • Words used economically.
  • Images and words work together.
  • Makes the viewer stop and think about the theme.
  • Has visual appeal/impact.
  • Sources of quotations are identified.
  • Neatness and workmanship is a must.


    • *Students will earn grades on these selections based on a display of knowledge of the books by responding to objective tests and projects.

    English 10 Honors

    Fiction

    Students must read one of two fiction works, either Lord of the Flies by William Golding or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Students should complete assignments related to their chosen work and be prepared to take a test relating to that work during the first week of class.

    Assignment 1 (Lord of the Flies)

    Read Lord of the Flies by William Golding. In a well-written focused five-paragraph essay, compare and contrast the characters of Ralph and Jack or Simon and Roger using a point-by-point (juxtaposition) organization. In the introductory paragraph include the title of the novel, the name of the author, general background statements and a thesis with three parallel points. Begin each body paragraph with a general topic sentence that relates to the focus of the thesis and introduces the point of comparison or contrast to be discussed. Next include a general statement describing Character A's behavior or attitude in relation to the point being discussed. Discuss Character A using two or three specific text examples or quotations that illustrate how that character exemplifies the point. Include two commentary sentences (your opinion and interpretation of how Character A's actions or words depict the point you are making about him--do not use first person) explaining how the text examples reveal character. In the same paragraph use a transitional word to lead into the discussion of Character B and follow the same format of development as you used for Character A. In conclusion offer a discussion of how the contrast between the two characters is important to the novel as a whole and how the contrast develops the theme of the novel, the struggle between good and evil. End the conclusion with a discussion of how Golding chooses to close his novel and discuss his apparent message and/or warning to the reader. Relate what truth about mankind Golding illustrates with the boys' experiences. Is Golding totally pessimistic? Could the Jacks of the world yet have their way? Does the book end with hope, remorse, or just a recognition?

    Remember to use the present tense, transitional devices between and within paragraphs, and consistent third person. Be certain to support your thesis statement with specific text references or quotes from the novel (give the page number in parentheses after examples and quotes as you would in a research paper--don't bother with the author's name). These text examples should be cogent in explanation and free of plot summary not directly relevant to the thesis. This paper should be typed, double-spaced, and approximately two pages in length.

    Part 2 Lord of the Flies

    Create a graphically attractive time line for the major events of the novel. On a legal-size sheet of paper with a landscape orientation, use your drawing tools to create a graphically attractive and accurate time line. Use clip art, pictures from the Internet, 3-D effects, shadowing, color, and different line styles to enhance your design. Briefly label, who, what, where, and when about each event. Project will be graded on neatness (every line or graphic should be typed or made using the computer--no hand-made lines or text), creativity, originality, accuracy, design, balance of artwork against space on the paper, font clarity, line and font color, mood established by graphics and color, borders around graphics, same typeface for same elements, change of text direction, etc. If more space is needed, use more sheets of paper and mount on poster board.

    Assignment 1 (Jane Eyre)

    Read Jane Eyre and respond to one of the following statements using a well developed five-paragraph essay:

    1. Discuss two scenes that show the ambiguity of Jane's social class. What are Jane's opinions of the upper class and the lower classes? What does the novel say about the social class system in England? Does Bronte critique the system of support it?

    2. Discuss the representations of the various women in the novel: Mrs. Reed, Miss Temple, Celine Varens, Blanche Ingram, Bertha Mason, and Diana and Mary Rivers. What does Jane learn about proper feminine behavior from these women? Which are positive role models? Negative?

    3. Explore Jane's ideas of religion. What does she learn about Christianity from Helen Burns, Mr. Brocklehurst, and St. John Rivers? How do their views of Christianity contrast with hers? What problems does she see in their values?

    4. Analyze the importance of the five major places Jane lives on her journey: Gateshead, Lowood, Thornfield, Moor House/Marsh End, and Ferndean. What do their names signify? What lessons does Jane learn at each place? Jane provides detailed descriptions of the natural world around each place: What do these descriptions reveal about their character?

    5. Compare and contrast Rochester and St. John Rivers. What are their strengths and weaknesses? Why does Jane choose Rochester over St John?

    6. Watch at least two film adaptations of Jane Eyre. Look for specific comparisons and contrasts between the films (such as how Rochester and Jane's love is depicted in the text and in the movie; outright deviations from the text; how music, settings, and costumes contribute to our understanding of the novel; the characterization of Blanche Ingram, and so on.)

    Remember to use the pesent tense, transitional devices between and within the paragraphs, and consistant third person. Be certain to support your thesis statement with specific text references or quotes from the novel (give the page number in parentheses after examples and quotes as you would in a research paper--don't bother with the author's name). These text examples should be cogent in explanation and free of plot summary not directly relevant to the thesis. This paper should be typed, double-spaced, and approximately two pages in length.

    Part 2 (Jane Eyre)

    Jane gives descriptions of several of her paintings and drawings. Why are thise aristic renditions important? What do they reveal about Jane's imagination? About her inner self? Create your own renditions of two of Jane's drawings based on her descriptions of them. Do your drawings help you understand their meaning in new ways? You may use computer graphics to create your drawings if you have limited ability in art. your drawings will be evaluated for creativity, originality, color, and effective detail as related to the text. Reference to the text should be given on the back of the drawing. (Include quote and page reference.)

    Non Fiction

    All students should read The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.

    Choose one of the following topics and create an effective five paragraph composition in response to the statement. Follow the guidlines for writing listed above.

    1. Discuss the metaphor of a glass castle and what it signifies to Jeannette and her father. Why is it important that, just before leaving for New York, Jeannette tells her that she doesn't he'll ever build it?

    2. The two major pieces of the memoir--one half set in the deser and one half in Welch, West Virginia--feel distinct. what effect did such a big move have on the family--and on your reading of the story? How would you describe the shift in the book's tone as reflected in the setting?

    3. What character traits--both good and bad--do you think that Jeanette inherited from her parents? And how do you think those traits shaped Jeannette's life?

    4. The Glass Castle tells the story of a wildly dysfunctional family with humor and compassion. Give examples of the author's humor and explain how Walls uses this to make the book more readable.

    5. According to the National Review, "The Glass Castle will at times exhaust you, occasionally fill you with fury, and finally leave you in slack jawed wonderment." Relate time in your reading of this memoir that you experienced each of these emotions. Be specific by citing page numbers relative to your discussion.

    Satire - Political Cartoons

    Because this is a presidential election year, all students should search varios magazines (Time, Newsweek, US News and World Report, etc) and newspapersfor effective political cartoons. Make a copy of one meaningful cartoon (citing the source) and analyze it for a class presentation the first week of school. Students should note why their cartoon is considered a satire (writing that seeks to arouse a reader's disapproval of an object by ridicule), and also be prepared to explain any allusions the cartoon might make to this year's political campaign.

    Finally, each student should create a political cartoon ridiculing something relative to the political climate today. It may be relating to any political issue (war, gasoline, education, unemployment, etc). This cartoon will be evaluated not only on its artistic merit, but also on how the student is able to use allusions effectively in creating satire.

    English 11 AP

  • Read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

    • This novel is usually a big hit among my students. Just ask anyone from last year. This is an inspiring, prophetic book that really makes you think, "could that happen here?" It is a short, fast read, and Ray Bradbury is a master of the English language and the element of suspense. For this book, you will keep a reader's log. Be sure that your entries are high level, thought-provoking statements or questions that are of AP merit. These will be used for discussion. Your log needs to be a minimum of three pages. I would prefer that it is typed using the format on the attached example (contact me at email address below for format example), which is in Microsoft Excel. If that is not possible, any word processing will do.


  • Read The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

    • This book will be the easiest one of the summer, as well as the most enjoyable, I believe. Mitch Albom is a compelling writer with wonderful diction and style. As you read, you will meet five people who made a significant impact on the main character, Eddie. After you read, you will write two essays where you discuss two people who have significantly impacted your life and why and how. Each essay should be at least a page long, typed and double spaced. (Ithink most of them \will be longer once you begin to write). Remember, not everyone has to be someone whom you know well or even like. The idea is to create a narrative where you explain how ther person crossed your pateh and how his or her presence in your life changed you. Once you have read the book, which will take all of one day, you will have a better idea about that I mean. I hate to give anything away.


    English 12 AP

    (If you have questions, I may be reached at 842-0259)

    AP Overview

    If you are planning on taking the AP Literature exam please be aware that the exam tests all of your years of english study; therefore, the more you have read and analyzed better. If you would like to read beyond the required summer list, I recommend using the attatched list of suggested authors/works.

    Required Works

  • Things Fall Apart--Chinua Achebe
  • The Secret History--Donna Tartt


    • Assignments

    These are due the first day of class and will be part of the 1st six weeks' grade. You will be evaluated on other assignments related to the reading such as class discussion, additional writings, group projects, quizzes, and tests.

    Things Fall Apart

    Being actively engaged with a text is the key to reading comprehension. Complete a reader's response log as you read. The number of entries will vary by chapter (some will have more in terms of both number and depth of response), but you should have no fewer than 15 meaningful RRLs.

    The Secret History

    This novel contains some mature material but functions as a cautionary tale rather than a glorification of the life style of some of its caracters. If you are uncomfortable with reading this work, please contact me for an alternate assignment.

    Complete the same assignment for this work as Things Fall Apart. This novel is much longer, so you will have more entries than for TFA (no fewer than 30 RRLs); however, I don't expect you to rewrite the novel in entry form.

    Extra Credit

    According to The Times (London), The Secret History is "a haunting, compelling, and brilliant piece of fiction....Packed with literary allusion and told with a sophistication and texture that owes much more to the nineteenth century than to the twentieth." Keep a list of literary allusions within the novel as you read and bring this to class the first day.

    For those who plan ahead

    Although not part of the summer reading, you will be expected to have finished The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan by the beginning of October (I will discuss this more fully when school starts). If your fall schedule is extremely busy or you enjoy taking longer with reading assignments, you may wish to start this novel or borrow one from me.

    Remember to read for pleasure this summer, because reading is fun! :)