Summer Reading 20152016 Mrs. Shaw Sophomore PreAP World Literature Student Requirements The Sophomore PreAP World Literature course emphasizes development of skills in critical reading of literature from various world authors. The course also emphasizes skills in writing about literary elements and writing using various critical lenses. Sophomore PreAP is for the academically exceptional student willing to devote the time and effort necessary to complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses designed for the collegebound student. This course serves as preparation for the Advanced Placement Junior and Senior English courses at Athens High School, with the goal of taking the Advanced Placement Exam during the junior and/or senior year of study. Summer reading and writing in preparation for this course are required. Time will not be allotted during the quarter for you to do this reading. If you do not complete all of the summer reading and writing assignments on or before the date assigned, you will be dropped from the course. Familiarity with the assigned works is essential since they will be the basis for study during the first and second quarters, as well as the basis for a comprehensive exam the first week of class. A passing grade for the comprehensive entry exam is at least a 70% C. The teacher will strongly recommend that you phase down a level for any grade below a C on the exam. 1. While reading the four assigned works, annotate extensively. These annotations should be of assistance in helping you recall details of the works during the first quarter. If you have not annotated in past classes, you may see the attached directions on how to annotate appropriately. You will refer to your annotations during the first quarter in class discussions, and you will need them to study for the comprehensive exam during the first week of class. Please notekeep a hard copy of your work for reference during the first and second quarters. 2. In addition, complete the Summer Reading Assignments listed on the following pages. It is imperative to respond to the topics given. Papers that are offtopic will receive no credit. 3. The typed doublespaced assignments are due on or before August 10th by 5pm , via email in WORD, PDF, or Google Docs format . Please see Electronic Submission Instructions at the bottom of the page. No late work or handwritten work will be accepted. Failure to meet the due date for the Summer Reading Assignments will result in the student being withdrawn from Sophomore PreAP English and being enrolled in Honors Sophomore English. No deadline extensions will be granted for any reason, including technical failures or unavailability (Worldtravelers please plan accordingly!). 4. The Summer Reading Assignments should be completed individually ; this is not a group project. In addition, your work should not rely on the use of research, Spark Notes , Cliff’s Notes (or other note sources), Internet sources, or work from students who have previously taken the class. Plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and withdrawal from Sophomore PreAP English . Save and print a hard copy for yourself of the Summer Reading Assignments, as you will use this information in class discussions during the first and second quarters. Summer Reading Texts and Prompts You must purchase the following novels for the Sophomore PreAP English class. Select unabridged works, that is, complete editions of each work. You must have these books in class when we are th studying them. You are also required to use the 7 edition of the MLA Handbook . These texts can be found at Little Professor Bookstore. You may also purchase a used text if you wish to do so or ask Mrs. Shaw if former students have donated any of the summer readings from past classes. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan *Suggested Reading: The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell *Additional books to purchase that will be read during the year: The Iliad by Homer (Robert Fitzgerald translation only) The MLA Handbook 7th edition Summer Reading Assignments 20152016 Sophomore PreAP English You will read the following novels this summer: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan Before completing each of these assignments, spend time annotating and marking significant passages (with postit notes, marginal notes, etc.) in each novel. See attached directions on how to annotate correctly. THEN, you will choose two novels from the summer reading and complete the following assignments for each of these two novels. Assignment #1: Close Reading and Response Choose three passages/quotes from each of the novels. These passages/quotes must be no more than a page in length and no shorter than two sentences. You should choose one passage from the beginning of the novel, the middle of the novel, and the end of the novel. Retype the passages/quotes and indicate in MLA format where in the novel these are found. Ex: (Alvarez 47) Following each passage/quote, discuss in one to two wellwritten paragraphs how the passage fits into the structure of the novel. What literary merit do you find in the passage in regards to any of the following literary elements: o Characterization o Setting o Motifs and symbols o Archetypes o Plot structure o Themes o Figurative language (metaphor, simile, etc.) o Or any other appropriate literary connection *NOTE: It is impossible to address all of these elements, so please focus your response. Assignment #2: Essence of the Novel Choose one passage/quote in each novel that captures the essence—the true meaning—of the novel for you, the reader. In other words, if the novel were in danger of being destroyed, you would save this one passage. Retype the passage/quote and indicate in MLA format where in the novel this is found. Ex: (Alvarez 47) Following the passage, discuss in one to two wellwritten paragraphs why you chose this passage and how this passage is the one perfect passage in the novel. Assignment #3: Reflective Letter As the culminating assignment for the two novels that you have chosen, you will write one reflective letter regarding both novels. In this letter you should reflect on the following: New insights gained in the reading of each novel. Changes in your perspective. Strengths and weaknesses in both the authors and each novel. What is the value of each novel, besides entertainment of course? End on your overall impressions of each novel. The format should be doublespaced, Times New Roman, 12point font, one inch margins, and must address the instructor and end with a closing including your first and last name . Rememberit is important to print a hard copy of your annotations and work for your use in class during the first and second quarters. **Electronic Submission: All of the above assignments should be submitted in ONE Microsoft Word, PDF, or Google Docs document. This document should be attached to an email that properly addresses the instructor (Mrs. Shaw), introduces you, and indicates what is attached. Use appropriate MLA format and headings throughout. Your name should be on each page. If no name can be found on the document it will not be accepted. Please be aware: NO NAME MEANS NO CREDIT ! Your Summer Reading Assignments are due on or before: August 10th, at 5pm . NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL RESULT IN YOUR DISMISSAL FROM THE CLASS. EMAIL THE ABOVE IN THE CORRECT FORMAT TO: [email protected] Looking forward to seeing you in class! Mrs. Shaw Annotating a Text What is an annotation? The word, annotate means, “to provide explanatory notes” (Webster 23). When you annotate you are not just taking notes as you would during a lecture, you are also personally responding to the text, looking for literary elements that are present, posing questions for class discussion, and thinking about the text holistically. Annotating actively engages you with the text and helps you to form your own criticism of the author and the work, rather than just reading and spitting out facts for an assessment. When you annotate, you are reading for meaning rather than reading for completion. You will be annotating throughout the year for a weekly grade, as well as eventually in Junior and Senior Honors and Advanced Placement classes should you choose to take these. Once annotating becomes a habit, you will find that you cannot read without a pen in your hand! Intext annotations: Use postit notes (or other markers) to mark places inside the text that correspond to your written annotations. Write a phrase, character name, or word on the postit that jogs your memory when rereading. If you are able to write in your text, do so! Make notes in the margins, underline important passages, circle and define words that you don’t understand, bracket in passages that you feel represent the entire text, etc. * Note : Try to stay away from highlighting. This isn’t actively engaging you in the text. You are just following along with a “yellow finger.” Written annotations: Written annotations should be on a separate sheet of paper. They may be typed; or handwritten, but must be legible (one full page typed; front and back written). Your written annotations should correspond to the intext annotations. Use page numbers/line numbers to indicate where this information can be found in the text. Discuss literary elements (plot, characters, setting, symbolism, metaphor, archetypes, etc.) that you feel adds to the meaning of the text. Ponder why the author chooses the elements that he/she does. Pay attention to structure, syntax, lexis, morphology, and style of the text. Ask questions, make statements, and connect personally. Requirements that I look for in your written annotations: 1. Literary Elements 2. Defining of unfamiliar words 3. Questions about the text (author, structure, literary elements, big concepts, etc.) 4. Page numbers that correspond with annotations 5. Personal Statements that connect the text with ideas in other classes, mediums, philosophies, experiences, etc. Student/Parent Acknowledgment Sheet Please sign and return the attached acknowledgment sheet to A120 (Mrs. Shaw) in the English hallway or to the AHS Guidance Office by May 20th, 2015 . This information is critical to the instructor for notification purposes, and is also critical to the instructor as proof of your acknowledgement of the above requirements and deadline. Please print contact information legibly. I have read the attached information for the Sophomore PreAP World Literature course and understand the requirements and deadline regarding the summer reading and writing. Student’s Printed Name: __________________________________ Student’s Signature: ______________________________________ Student’s email address: ___________________________________ Date: _____________________ Parent’s Printed Name: ___________________________________ Parent’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date_____________________ Parent’s email address: _____________________________________
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