Summer Reading 2015
Dear Future AP Lit Student,
Congratulations for choosing to be in AP Literature next year! I’m very excited that you will be in my class. In order that you are prepared to begin the year in AP Lit, please complete the following summer reading assignment. The assignment will be your first major grade for the new school year, so make sure that you complete it in a timely fashion. I have designed the readings and assignment to help introduce you to the skills you will need to be successful in AP Lit. This class emphasizes literary analysis, so it will be a little different from Mrs. Thomas’ class or English III. Think of the book below as a primer in what it means to be an analytical reader. It is an informative book that you can apply throughout the year to any text we read, but even better it is an engaging read. In the spirit of what summer reading should be (enjoyable!), you will be selecting the second book you will read. See below for details.
Cordially,
Mrs. Pierce
Required Readings:
How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas C. Foster
What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey? Shares a meal? Gets drenched in a sudden rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface—a symbol, maybe, that remains elusive, or an unexpected twist on a character—and there's that sneaking suspicion that the deeper meaning of a literary text keeps escaping you.
In this practical and amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest; a shared meal may signify a communion; and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just rain. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is the perfect companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun.
A Novel of Choice: Select a novel to apply to the strategies in How to Read Literature Like a Professor (HTRLLAP). You may choose any novel to which you can apply several chapters of HTRLLAP. Your choice will help me understand more about you as a reader. You may select a novel that you have wanted to read, or you may select a novel you have read before.
(See back for assignment and other information.)
Assignment:
Write an essay analyzing your novel using HTRLLAP as a guide. Begin with a rationale for why you selected the novel that you did. Next, apply the novel to a minimum of three different chapters of HTRLLAP. Your essay should be typed in MLA format and must be submitted to turnitin.com. Suggested length: 3-4 pages. See below for turnitin instructions and rubric. You may submit the assignment from now until the day before school starts at 11:59 pm.
Category / Excellent (100%) / Good (80%) / Needs Improvement (60%)Introduction (10) / Does everything listed to the right, but with particular stylistic flair, insight, or voice. / Shows that thought went into the selection of the novel and outlines the key ways the chosen novel relates to HTRLLAP. / Fails to discuss the rationale or to show the direction of the paper.
HTRLLAP Chapter Analysis 1 (20) / Does everything listed to the right, but details are more specific, apt, and/or plentiful. The analysis demonstrates a persuasive interpretation of the novel and insightful application of HTRLLAP to it. / Uses several details from the novel (quotations or specific paraphrase – include page number references) to support an analysis based on the chosen chapter of HTRLLAP. Explanations show a competent understanding of both texts and some insight. / The application of the HTRLLAP chapter seems implausible because of weak ties to the novel or vague explanation.
HTRLLAP Chapter Analysis 2 (20) / Same as above but for second chapter of choice. / Same as above but for second chapter of choice. / Same as above but for second chapter of choice.
HTRLLAP Chapter Analysis 3 (20) / Same as above but for third chapter of choice. / Same as above but for third chapter of choice. / Same as above but for third chapter of choice.
Mechanics (15) / No more than 1 error in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. / No more than 3 errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. / More than 3 errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage.
MLA Format (5) / No errors / No more than 2 errors / More than 2 errors
Turnitin.com Instructions
Please use your current account rather than creating a new one. Just click the enroll in a class button.
Class ID: 9966358
Enrollment Password: wattlebird
Cel.ly Instructions
If you have questions or concerns about the class or summer reading assignment at any point during the summer, don’t hesitate to contact me on Cel.ly. I will also send you a reminder about the assignment towards the end of the summer. Here is the information to join Cel.ly.
Go to this link on any computer or smartphone:
Join by text: text @PierceSummerReadingto 23559
The password is wattlebird.