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.
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:
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
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