11th Grade Summer Reading assignments Assignment 1: The Great Gatsby All students must complete the following: 1. Compose a one page typed response to the following question: a. How do you define the “American Dream” in connection to today’s world? Select two of the following prompt options. Complete a 2‐3 page MLA format essay per topic. Be sure to include textual support and a works cited page with your assignment. 1. Explain how the novel does or does not demonstrate the death of the American Dream of the time period. Is the main theme of Gatsby indeed “the withering American Dream”? What does the novel display about American identity? 2. Compare and contrast the major female characters in the novel: Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle. How does each act towards men? What are their motivations/goals/interests/values? How are they treated by men (including the narrator/author)? 3. Discuss the novel’s theme that the American Dream is corrupted by the desire for wealth. What does the novel and its theme about wealth show about American society? Is it true today? 4. Discuss the novel’s theme that outward appearances can be deceptive. What does the novel and its theme offer about the American identity? You will have a reading assessment on the first day of school. Please be prepared. Summer reading assignment part II: Review the ALA reading list at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/2015_BestFictionforYoungAdults.pdf Select two novels that you would read. Complete two plot line papers, one for each novel you have selected. The plot line paper is attached to this document. This will be due on the first day of class. Plot Curve
Climax:
Novel: __________________________
The turning point in the story- the point of greatest conflict and intensity
Author: _______________________
Rising Action:
What events, problems, and conflicts build suspense or increase complications in the story?
Falling Action:
What events help wrap up the
story?
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Resolution:
How does the story end? How is the conflict resolved?
Protagonist vs. Antagonist
(Main Character)
(Character who has
conflict with the main
character)
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Exposition:
vs.
Setting:
Situation:
Characters:
Theme:
The central ideas through the novel; the author's reason for wri ting or th e meaning of the story
Tone:
Mood:
Literary Archetypes:
Irony (Verbal, Dramatic, Situational):
Symbolism:
Foreshadowing:
;
Character Descriptions (Flat, Round, Static,
Dynamic):
Character Descriptions Continued
Character Descriptions Continued