DWIGHT SCHOOL ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
11th Grade Summer 2016 Assignment
IB English A Language & Literature HL I
Ms. Ceman
Please purchase and read The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, ISBN: 0743273567, then complete both tasks.
Task #1: Annotations
Fitzgerald employs a variety of literary conventions throughout this text. As you read, track each of the following
conventions.
! Motif of past, lost, or unrequited love
! Motif of the pursuit or real value of wealth
! Distinct, perhaps sometimes biased, narrative voice
! Description of the settings via concrete imagery
1. When you find instances of these conventions, note them by underlining, starring, or otherwise marking the
specific passages in your book.
2. Write the name of the convention in the margins.
3. Next to the name of the convention in the margins, briefly explain the effect of these conventions on the story, on
the reader, or on other literary conventions, such as tone, conflict, irony, symbolism, characterization, etc.
If you prefer, instead of writing in the book itself, you can use Post-It notes to mark the page, the passage, the name of
the convention, and your comments. You should have at least five (5) annotations for each convention, for a total of
twenty (20) annotations, which will be checked by Ms. Ceman on the first day of class. Be sure that you do not choose
examples of these conventions that are all located in one part of the text; they should, instead, range from the beginning
through the middle to the end, demonstrating your complete experience with the text.
Task #2: Essay
Choose two (2) of the four (4) literary conventions that you tracked and annotated. In a four-paragraph essay, explain
to what effect Fitzgerald uses those conventions in the text. Your essay should include an introduction paragraph, two
(2) body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph. Your body paragraphs should follow the TEAL format (Topic
sentence, Evidence, Argument, Link back to thesis), with at least three (3) textual examples each.
Bring your annotated book on the first day of class. Also bring your essay, printed as follows.
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Type Size:
Type Font:
Spacing:
Integrity:
Twelve (12) Point
Times New Roman
Double
At the top of the first page, type the succinct version of the Dwight School Honor Code: I did not cheat
on this assignment. (The assignment will be submitted to the anti-plagiarism site Turnitin.com.
Instructions on how to do so will be provided on the first day of class.)
If you have any questions about the assignment, email Ms. Ceman at [email protected].
Have a wonderful summer, and we look forward to seeing you in September!