AP/GT Phoenix III
Summer Reading Responses
The Signet Book of American Essays
Author’s Point (AP) Exercise
Assignment: Over the summer,in addition to the Twain essay that was assigned, you chose three essays fromThe Signet Book of American Essays.
For each essay that you read, compose a single sentence that succinctly captures the main purpose of the essay. BE CAREFUL NOT TO SUMMARIZE!
In other words, construct a sentence that explains the author’s claim using an authoritative voice and a powerful verb.Your sentence should provide an answer to the question: What action did the author mean to inspire as a result of reading his or her essay.
Some sentence stems that might be helpful include:
The author claims…
(Author’s name) insists…
(Author’s name) argues…
Be ready to defend your sentences in class.
Why did you leave certain ideas out?
What was the most difficult part of creating your sentence?
Could the author have made the point in a shorter essay? Why or why not?
Fiction Choice:
Assignment: Choose and properly cite a quote worthy of reading aloud to the class from your book. Write
a paragraph explaining the significance of the quote as it relates to a theme in the book.
Remember, themes are not expressed as single words!
Choose one of the following in addition to the above.
- Create an image or find an existing image that illustrates the idea in the quote, and include a short paragraph wherein you explain the connection between the image and a theme in the book.
- Find corresponding lyrics in a song that illustrate the idea in the quote from the book. Be sure to include enough of the lyrics correctly cited using MLA 2016 formatto show a solid thematic connection and include a short paragraph wherein you explain the connection between the song and a theme in the book.
Nonfiction Choice:
Assignment: Identify a central idea in your book and explain it in a single paragraph.
Choose a current event that in some way relates to the idea that you have identified in your book and submit either a print out from a website, or a copy of an article from a newspaper or news periodical.
In another paragraph describe why the connection you made is valid. Be sure to include a correct citation on your works cited page using MLA 2016 eighth edition format.