AP Lit Summer Assignment

AP Literature and Composition

Summer Assignment

It's that time of year again!  Time for sleeping in, spending time outdoors, maybe working more shifts.  It's also time for working on your tan, going on vacation, and hanging out with friends.  You've all worked hard this year and you deserve all of that.  However, just so you don't lose EVERYTHING you've learned about critical reading this year, I have a small summer assignment to get you read for AP Lit.  =)

It is vital that you complete all parts of this summer assignment as our first few weeks of class (and therefore a large chunk of your first quarter grade) will be dealing with the books you read this summer and the notes you take over them.  You’ve all earned a well-deserved break, and I sincerely hope you enjoy your summer.  Just do yourself a favor and don’t put all of this off until August.  You’ll want to kick yourself if you have to spend the last two weeks of break doing homework instead of enjoying your last summer hurrahs.

Assignment #1:
Read A Tidewater Morning by William Styron.  It is made up of three vignettes telling stories from one man's life.  These vignettes are compiled into a novel which  means they are connected in some way...and that way is the theme.  Your task is to determine the theme, otherwise known as the author's point or argument. =)  To help you do that, take notes as you read.  Consider motifs, characterization, setting, significant rhetorical devices.

Once you have an idea of what the theme is, pick three passages of 4-5 lines--one from EACH vignette.  Complete an informal write-up (organized HOWEVER you want) that tells me what you think the theme is, analyzes and explains the significance of each vignette to that theme, and explains how those three passages are connected.  Be sure to include the passages, typed out in their entirety WITH an MLA parenthetical citation.

This will serve as the basis for learning how to write a lit analysis next year.  The more detailed thought you put into it, the easier it will be to write in-depth about later. Hint, hint. ;)

Assignment #2:

Choose a second book from the AP Book List:  This reading list is taken from previous AP Lit and Comp tests.  Your second assignment for this summer is to read one of these works.  You have many titles and authors to choose from, some of which may be unfamiliar to you.  Reading some reviews (Amazon’s a great source) may help you narrow down your options to something you’ll find interesting.  The books on this list are probably not the type of books you would typically choose for some light, vacation reading.  However, they serve a few important purposes:

• They are a sampling of the types of texts we’ll be reading, discussing, and writing about next year.
• They provide you with enough depth and complexity to get you thinking about theme and the elements used to express it.
• They begin/add to your literary storehouse of knowledge which you’ll need to pull from if you take the AP exam next spring.

Complete a reading journal as you read:  In order to get the most out of your reading (and make your fall assignments much easier), make sure you’re an active reader of this book.  As you read, complete a formal reading journal with the following categories: character development and function, motifs, rhetorical devices/word choice, setting significance, and form/structure.  I would recommend a couple of pages of notes for each category.  Track important details that relate to each category (be sure to mark page numbers!), pose questions you have as you read, and reflect and synthesize your understanding of the function and significance of these details once you’ve finished the book.  Basically, do the same thing you did for The Sound and the Fury but with my categories rather than the ones you chose on your own.  These notes should be ample proof that you have carefully read the work.  Do not summarize the plot! 

Write a final response:  Write a one-page response as soon as possible after you finish this book.  This is just an informal, first person reaction to the novel.  Did you like it?  Why or why not?  What did you find to be interesting in the text as a whole?  There are really no rules for a response; it’s just a chance for you to collect your thoughts on the entire piece and vent your excitement, frustration, or questions.  I would also like to see your beginning thoughts about the author’s point (theme).

All of this will be due the first day of class—make sure to bring everything with you!  

Summer Contact Information:

If you have questions over the summer about the course, your books, or the assignments, please feel free to check the resources here on the AP Lit Blog or you can email me at ms.kim.grissom@gmail.com

An Additional Article You Should All Read

In the dictionary next to the word "contradiction" senior year should be listed as an example. The whole year we seniors are constantly asked (nagged might be the better word) to constantly think about our future. At the same time we are encouraged (once again my word choice is questionable) to reflect on the past.
   Talking about my future seems unavoidable but I've done a good job avoiding the past. I don't love looking at the past. I had a bad haircut (more like revolting) and my braces did nothing to make me seem more fashionable. But I suppose there is more to my past then seventh grade. I did have an awesome childhood. As I have grown up I have realized that one of the best things about being a kid is that no one expects you to have it all figured out. The biggest consequence I had to face as a child was when I put a hole in the wall (by accident of course!) on Thanksgiving…while my mom was taking a nap. Nothing says, "Hiya Mom! How was your nap?" like a hole in the wall. Whoops. But besides that little incident I was a pretty good kid and I didn't have to worry about a whole lot of consequences. Growing up sure changed that. Even good things (like a college education) have consequences (I mean these loans are outrageous!).
   So maybe, as a Senior, I need to reflector on my past a little more carefully. Maybe these little consequences can teach me a few lessons about avoiding the large ones. Like, "hey, money doesn't grow on trees so appreciate what you have and don't go putting holes in it." (I don't know what my haircut was supposed to teach me. Maybe: You're not Taylor Swift so never try to pull off bangs…like ever.). After this little rant I'm starting to think maybe as we seniors are nagged about our future it might be important to look at our past (no matter how bad you looked)and take notes. There might be some important lessons there.

End-of-Year Journal Reflection

You're done with TWO years of AP English classes.  First, you should give yourself a big pat on the back.  Then, I would like you to spend some time reflecting on what you've learned over the course of the last two years:

• How have your reading skills improved and how do you know?
• How have your writing skills improved and how do you know?
• What skills do you think will serve YOU the most--personally--as you continue your education? As you continue your life?
• What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to literature, writing, argumentation?
• What feedback can you give me as I strive to make this AP experience as beneficial for my students as possible? What was most helpful? What was least helpful? What do you wish we had done more of? Less of?

Thank you all for a fabulous two years.  I know I get crabby and we all get stressed, but it's a joy to teach you and you all give me faith that there will be plenty of intelligent, civic-minded, thoughtful adults to lead our society in a positive direction.  Happy last assignment! =)

Senior Article Options

Here are the articles written for the senior article.  Read them all and vote for your favorite using the link at the end.

Identity

While at Indianola High School, I lead the life of your average teenager. I was presented with academic challenges that forced me to grow as a student. I joined clubs and organizations that allowed me to express my strengths and develop my weaknesses. And I attended games and events to stay involved and have fun. But I can’t say that each day of my high school career was smooth sailing. At times, I felt like I didn’t even know who I was. But that’s what growing up is all about. It’s okay to feel a little lost when you’re finding who you truly are. I have fond memories of everyone at IHS. My teachers and classmates have made such a positive impact on my life. But I’m truly looking forward to now making my mark on the world. I’m looking towards all of the possibilities that my future holds. And I’m especially thrilled to continue to grow into the woman I am meant to be. 


Enjoying the Time Left

It seems like everyone jokes about wanting to be free of high school. I always hear how someone can’t wait to leave this prison and join the adult world. I may be the only one, but I am going to miss my high school experiences greatly. I don’t know if I’m ready to move on to the next level of my life. I barely got used to this step and now I’m expected to climb to the next one? For me, high school has been the greatest chapter of my life so far. It is in high school that one gets to experience the freedom of adulthood with the irresponsibility of adolescence. High school covers the entire range from college-level advanced placement courses to dressing like a moron for homecoming spirit week. It is in high school that a student gets the chance to try everything and finally start to figure out who he is as an individual. High school sports teach sportsmanship and how to step up to the plate as a team leader. Challenging academic courses teach dedication, perseverance, and how to have a good work ethic. Basically, high school prepares a student to fully become themselves, whether that is through college or entering the work force. The skills and life lessons learned in high school are invaluable, and I know I wouldn’t trade mine for the world. While everyone else in my school is counting down the days to summer, I am desperately clinging on to the time I have left. 


Advice

Before you begin reading this and think “Well gee, I’ve NEVER seen a senior describe their pent up emotions about their high school experience”, hear me out. I don’t plan on preaching this idea to you. Instead, I’m going to cheer you up!

While you’re going on a roller coaster ride of emotions now, just look at the bright side. All these great memories and the people you made them with…. Well, you’re probably going to forget most of them. Don’t feel bad, that’s just life. Sure you may have those few great friendships that last a lifetime (you lucky duck!), but you can’t expect to keep track of ALL these people when you’re all diffusing throughout the country. After all, feeble attempts at staying in contact with people from high school are what Facebook was invented for!

                  But don’t worry, as you go through college and into your adult life, you will remember at least some of those great times you had. You’ll look back and smile, and then you’ll get to look at where you are in life and how far you’ve come. You’ve had a great four years, but now it’s time to move on. Why would you want to live in the past? You know what’s in the past? No cure for polio and no Netflix. Is that the kind of life you want? I didn’t think so. So move forward into the next part of your life with excitement and make those new memories.  

Memories

As I look back on my four years at Indianola High School there are two things that really stick out in my mind. The first is how many fire drills and bomb threats we had. We spent more time wondering if our school would burn down or blow up than we did in class. The second thing is the outpouring of support our community has for all of the activities at IHS. I was fortunate enough to experience this first hand after the softball team won the State Championship. So many members of the community showed their support before and after we made the trip to Fort Dodge even though our arrival back in Indianola was way past most of their bed times. My time at Indianola High School has been filled with laughter and great memories. Deuces IHS. 

Survived and Thrived

Congrats Seniors! We survived. We survived three high school bomb threats (or bom treats), numerous fire and tornado drills, and managing to eat lunch after the national mandated "Healthy" Kids Act. We have survived the 2012 Mayan apocalypse and not having 11:35 monthly dismissals. We have survived for 18 years now, and it is finally time to show the world who we are. As we disperse off into the world, we will not forget who we were in high school- we have all the facebook posts and tweets to remind us how important everything was at the time. There have been times in our lives that we have not only survived, but thrived. This senior class has contributed to the school state championship debate team, state champion softball team, the football team's first six-win season since [insert year], and the chamber orchestra's best in center at contest. We have believed and we have achieved! This does sound rather clichéd, but it has been said before for a reason- it's the truth. Us seniors cannot escape the truth, because we can always look it up on our cell phones. Let us use the "Carpe Diem" expression for our graduation hurrah! And let us seniors remember, we have thrived before, and we will certainly thrive again.

The Future

Congratulations, Class of 2013!  It’s been an unforgettable journey, but we’re just getting started.  Don’t worry about all of the “lasts” of high school, but think of all the “firsts” to come.  Our future is wide open and the possibilities are endless!  We are the next generation of CEOs, business owners, doctors, and Wal-Mart greeters.  There is nothing we can’t do; after all, we survived middle school, right?  Just be sure to keep moving when they hand you your diploma before they change their minds.

Opportunities

As students at Indianola High School, we have been very fortunate. We have a pretty nice school and good academic, art, and sports facilities. The science wing was recently renovated, as well as the middle school. We now have our own field and field house with both an indoor and an outdoor track. We have baseball fields and access to Simpson College. Our high school has an auditorium/theatre that includes an instrumental pit, a fully equipped sound/electrics booth, catwalk, and a full rail. We have an entire wing dedicated to music which has two band rooms, a chorale room, a mirrored chorale room, two sets of show choir risers, and a room strictly for orchestra. It’s amazing we even have an orchestra program, let alone a great arts program. In addition to all of the sports, you can act, direct, paint, sketch, be on theatre crew, sculpt, design, dance, you get the point. Our school has provided us with many opportunities. We have chances to run on the track team and act in the play. Others play football and sing in show choir. Our school also offers many different clubs including art club, drama club, and science club. We compete in a 4A, CIML Metro conference for sports. We have the normal football team, cross country teams, swim teams, soccer teams, bowling teams, etc. But, if you want to branch out and you have a good eye, you can even join the trap team. Yes, there IS a team for that. We also compete in academic decathlon, science bowl, and recently, robotics. At football games, not only do we have a football team, but you can be entertained by cheerleaders and a halftime show of the dance and drill team, Impulse, and The Pride of Indianola Marching Band. Want to learn a different language other than English? IHS offers Spanish, French, and German. Like math? Join Mu Alpha Theta, our nerdy math club. Like to dance? Our dances include Homecoming, Sadie Hawkins/MORP, Sports Dance, MAD Dance, and Prom. If you want an academic challenge, take an AP class or a Simpson Class, or look into the DMACC program that’s starting up, next year. These are just some of the many things IHS offers to its students. We have the chance to take great classes and learn, as well as participating in groups and events outside of school. We are truly lucky to have all of these opportunities to do so many things.

Vote Here!