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AP English Literature and CompositionSummer Reading Guidelines
Required Reading and Assignments
o Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurstono The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseinio Brave New World by Aldous Huxleyo Novel of choice and presentation (see note #3 below)
It is recommended that you purchase your own copy of each of these works because we will be discussing these texts at the beginning of the year; however, you may check before the end of this school year to see if the English Department has any copies you can borrow. Annotate the text by underlining and marking important passages, including your comments. If you must borrow a book, be sure to take copious notes on paper or post-its (don’t forget page numbers) so you are prepared to contribute in a meaningful way to classroom discussion.
As you read, you need to do the following:1. Create three journal entries for each of the three novels (Eyes, Kite, and
Brave), for a total of nine journals. All entries must be a minimum one typed page, double-spaced, and should be compiled into one Word document. Look at the list of possible topics below, and identify at the top of each entry the topic you have selected. Each topic can be used only once per novel, and no more than twice in the entire series of entries. Be sure that you are making specific references to the text in your journal entries. You will receive instructions on the first day of class about how to submit your journals electronically to your teacher. Journals will be graded on both the quantity and the analytical quality of your responses, as well as on compliance with the assignment specifications.
Any diction, passage, imagery, or situation that affects you Three things you agree (disagree) with How the book makes you feel How the reading relates to your life How the reading relates to a period in history Relate the reading to another literary work What you think the author was trying to accomplish and how it reflects his
personal life Why you think a character (major or minor) acted like (he/she) did What you think it would be like to live in the setting of each book Note any reference to fine arts (music, art, drama, theatre, etc.) How you can use this knowledge in your own life What you think the book means, and why you think that
Assume the role of one of the main characters and discuss your reaction/handling of a particular situation
Three things you would like to discuss in class
2. Complete the AP Major Works Data Sheet for each novel (posted on our school’s website under Summer Reading). These forms will be used later in the year as we review novels and plays for the AP exam, so please pay careful attention to each section and use specific examples. Some sections of the Data Sheet require that you do outside research on the author as well as the historical context of the novel. This assignment must also be typed because it will be submitted electronically. Instructions will be given on the first day of class about how to submit this assignment for a grade.
3. Novel of Choice—select one novel or play on the list of works which have been referenced on the AP English Literature Exam since 1973 (henceforth known as “the AP list”). Read this novel and electronically complete a Data Sheet for it, then follow all the attached guidelines (also posted on our school’s website) to create a powerpoint presentation on the novel. This project will be electronically submitted and presented during the first week of class. You may NOT select any novel or play previously read in your English classes or being read this summer for class, NOR may you select any of the following, which we will be reading this year:
A Doll’s House, The Color Purple, Wuthering Heights, Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Heart of Darkness, Lord of the Flies, Oedipus Rex, Antigone
Additionally, be prepared for a test on the three specified novels, one on each of the first three days of class.
Recommended Reading
In addition to completing the required reading, I assume that all of you will continue to read for pleasure—after all, you have signed up for AP English Literature because you love to read! Two lists have been posted on the school website (look in the Summer Reading section) which might prove helpful as you select additional works to read over the summer. One is the AP List; the other is a list from Entertainment Weekly of the 100 “New Classics.” I would recommend that you fill out Major Works Data Sheets for any of these works you read.
QuestionsFeel free to email Mrs. Welp ([email protected]) or Mrs. Henson ([email protected]). We do not check our emails daily, but you should receive a response within a week or two. Don’t wait until August 17 to ask your questions!!!!
