High School Summer Reading 2013‐2014 All assignments must be typed using standard, MLA formatting guidelines. Please make sure your work is in 12 point Times New Roman font, is double‐spaced, has no extra spacing between paragraphs, and uses 1” margins. All assignments are due the first day of class. English 9 Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Complete the following assignments. They are due the day you return to school. You should bring a copy of the novel to class the first day back. 1. Describe the identity of the main character, both in terms of how he views himself and how others view him. If the identity changed over the course of the novel, note these changes and when they occur. Cite at least three passages from the novel to use as examples, in supporting your observations. 2. Write a five plus paragraph essay, with a clear thesis statement in which you discuss how the titles of the various chapters develop the theme of “the indispensable struggle for mastery.” You must have a minimum of six embedded quotes as support for your argument. Follow MLA guidelines. Please note: The movies are drastically different from the novels. Do not watch the movie and assume you know the book. English 10 Read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. You will take a comprehensive test on the second day of class as well complete a major project over the following week which will require a working knowledge of the contents of the book. In addition to reading the novel, you will need to: 1. Be sure to annotate and take notes IN the book as you read. Consider the following issues as you read: • The importance of literature • The danger of placing importance on mindless entertainment to the detriment or exclusion of family, relationships, or individual thought. • A government’s use of propaganda and a society’s willingness to believe it because it is easier or “nicer” than the truth • The role censorship can play in the spread of propaganda • Book burning in contemporary times 2. You will need to go to http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html and print a copy of Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” This novel, Fahrenheit 451, is an allegory of the most famous chapter of Plato’s Republic. Take notes as you read to compare the two stories, and come to class prepared to discuss both pieces. Please note: You may want to take in other “epic” style literature and movies this summer for a working knowledge of present day use of mythology, epic tales, and the concept of the monomyth (look it up!). Examples of Literature and Movies include: Star Wars trilogy and sequel trilogy, Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Matrix, Wizard of Oz, Percy Jackson, Ender’s Game, War of the Worlds, Alice in Wonderland, Avatar, Kung Fu Panda, Spiderman, Batman, The Princess Bride, Chronicles of Narnia…the list goes on and on. English 10, Pre‐AP Read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. Be prepared to discuss and write an essay when you return in the fall. You will also take a comprehension test over the novel the second day of class. As you read the novel over the summer, consider the following issues, ideas, literary techniques, themes and symbols. You are expected to have notes with you when you return in the fall. You are expected to annotate the text, therefore, buy your copy so you can write in it, or use sticky notes. You will be given a grade over these notes and annotations. Issues: •
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The importance of literature The danger of placing importance on mindless entertainment to the detriment or exclusion of family, relationships, or individual thought. A government’s use of propaganda and a society’s willingness to believe it because it is easier or “nicer” than the truth The role censorship can play in the spread of propaganda Book burning in contemporary times Ideas: •
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Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” This novel is an allegory of the most famous chapter of Plato’s Republic. Google it! Print it! Make sure you come to class in the fall with a working knowledge and understanding of the ideas presented by Socrates to his students. Read the poem “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold. Google it! Print it! Be ready to make an intelligent argument explaining why Montag reads the poem to Mildred and her friends. Note: If you have trouble understanding/analyzing either the allegory or the poem, it is your responsibility to be resourceful (internet, books,etc.) to find out why these two pieces are relevant to the themes of the novel. Take copious notes and document them! Literary Techniques: •
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Allegory Paradox Apocalyptic literature (as applied to endings) •
Animal and nature imagery Literary Themes: •
The individual vs. society Symbols and Motifs: •
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Blood Hands “The Hearth and the Salamander” The Phoenix Mirrors Violence and destruction The garden and the gardener Reminder: The following things will be graded/collected during the first week of school: •
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Your annotations/notes (class 1) Comprehension test (day 2) Essay over novel/ideas (assigned day 2) English 11 Read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Compile a list of twenty quotes that you feel contribute to the characterization of Lenny and George (ten quotes each). Write a two‐page essay that discusses their relationships and how their relationship contributes to theme. English 11 AP Language All incoming 11th grade AP language students are required to complete the following summer reading assignments. The assignments are due the first day of class. Assignments should be typed, following MLA requirements. Assignment 1: Read Into the Wild by John Krakauer and answer each of the following questions in short 200 to 250 word essays. Be sure to provide ample documented, textual evidence from the novel to substantiate your thesis statements. 1. Each chapter opens with 1‐2 epigraphs (quotes/excerpts from other sources, interviews, or Chris’s writings). What do these epigraphs do to focus us on our reading? 2. Examine McCandless’ attitude toward a flawed society. What does he see as the flaws in society and how do they affect his attitude and belief system? Do you agree or disagree with McCandless’ perception? Note: Do not include family 3. MCCandless’ philosophy on life can best be described as “living an authentic life.” Reflect on Mccandless’ attitude toward his life and how it should be lived. Do you agree or disagree? Assignment 2: To complete this assignment, you will need to read a newspaper (The Miami Herald, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Orlando Sentinel)and/or a weekly magazine (Time, Newsweek, or US news and World Report)throughout the summer. These are available in the public library or on the internet. A. Collect at least six opinion‐based articles. Write a paragraph response (not a summary) for each one (200‐250 words each). What is the writer’s argument? List two main points and agree or disagree with them. Make educated arguments. You may collect six opinion‐based articles from the same columnist or you may collect opinion based articles from six different columnists on a key issue or you may collect opinion‐based articles from six different columnists on different issues. B. All responses must be in MLA format. This assignment must be typed. C. You must attach the article, or a copy of the original to your response. English 12: Read Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney. Write a two page essay that discusses at least three ways Beowulf’s identity is characterized. You must look at his relationships. You must use a minimum of six embedded quotes and intentional language to provide the necessary depth and insight. Follow MLA guidelines. English 12, AP Read Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney. Carefully construct a two‐page essay that discusses at least three ways Beowulf’s identity is characterized. Look especially at his relationships. You must use embedded quotes and intentional language to provide the necessary depth and insight. Also read Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. The sisters, Marianne and Elinor, are obviously written to represent the concepts of “sense” and “sensibility,” almost to the point of archetype, but what, precisely, is Austen saying about these ideas? Write a carefully considered two‐page essay that discusses Austen’s evaluation of these ideas as portrayed by Marianne and Elinor and their relationships within the story. Again, you must use embedded quotes and intentional language to provide the necessary depth and insight.