Dear 11th Grade Students and Families,
As you are making your registration decisions for the 2017-2018 school year, I would like to
provide you with information about the Advanced Placement (AP) Literature and Composition
Course. This highest-level honors course is designed to prepare the student to pass the
National College Board’s test for college English credit. Students study forms and genres of
literature intensively. They increase their ability to analyze literature for both style and content in
the detailed manner required to pass the test. Extensive practice is given in writing essays that
relate the student’s understanding of literature and composition. Only those students who write
with fluency and have the self-discipline needed to complete the required work should consider
this class.
All students entering 12th Grade Advanced Placement English will be required to complete the
following summer assignments by the first day of school, as they will be assessed promptly. It is
recommended that students purchase the novel of their choice so they can be written in and
brought to class during the first weeks of school. If you are unable to purchase or download
books, please see Mrs. Warsaw before the end of the current school year and a book will be
provided.
Any student who has never taken an Honors or AP English course, or who is unsure of whether
the AP Literature class is the right choice for him or her should speak with the current English
teacher or with Mrs. Warsaw.
To confirm your commitment to be part of the RHS AP English program, you will need to
complete the RHS Honors/AP Contract and turn it on the day of registration. Please feel free to
e-mail me at [email protected] with any questions. I look forward to working with you in the
fall.
Sincerely,
Kristin Warsaw
AP Literature &
Composition Teacher
Summer Assignments
1. Literary Terminology​: Familiarize yourself with the list of Literary Terms on Mrs.
Warsaw’s school website (through RHS website). There will be a quiz during the first
week of school.
2. Short Stories:​ Go to ​www.OwlEyes.org​ and sign in with the following code:
1tpn-cyhk-xa.
You will choose to read one of the following sets of three stories by the same author:
James Joyce
“The Dead”
“Araby”
“Eveline”
OR
Edgar Allan Poe
“Black Cat”
“The Pit and the Pendulum”
“The Masque of the Red Death”
You ​must​ read all three of your stories via the Owl Eyes website. You will be required to
annotate each story using the SIFTT method (Symbols, Imagery, Figurative Language, Tone &
Theme) directly on the Owl Eyes website. More info about SIFTT can be found on Mrs.
Warsaw’s school website.
3. ​Literary Response Journal. ​Choose ​one ​of the following novels and read it in its entirety.
Complete the Literary Response Journal assignment (follow directions carefully!)
Their Eyes Were Watching God​ by Zora Neale Hurston
The Namesake ​by Jhumpa Lahiri
Beloved ​by Toni Morrison
Never Let Me Go​ by Kazuo Ishiguro
Literary Response Journal The Literary Response Journal (LRJ) is an advanced dialectical journal, which you have practiced over the last three years of your English education. The LRJ takes the DJ to another level. Your LRJ must be typed and submitted to TurnItIn.com before the first day of school. Go to TurnitIn.com Class ID:​ ​14813152 Password: warsaw Note: There is to be NO collaboration with other students. Any assistance from the Internet, movies, or secondary sources such as SparkNotes or Shmoop will be viewed as cheating. If you have questions about format, e-mail me at ​[email protected]​. Instructions: 1. Create a document and include a MLA heading (​https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/24/​) 2. Insert a two-column table. 3. Label the top of each column: Left=Text and Right=Response 4. In the TEXT column, cite passages verbatim from the novel, ​including quotation marks AND page numbers​. If you are reading digitally, use the chapter number instead. a. Choose THIRTY ​meaningful ​passages from the work (equally representative of the beginning, middle, and end of the novel) b. Which passages should you choose? Use the following ideas: i. Details that seem important to the meaning of the work as a whole (theme) ii. Aha! Moments iii. Something significant is revealed iv. You recognize a pattern or thread (symbol, motif, image, etc.) v. The language is particularly dense, challenging, or interesting vi. Effective use of literary devices 5. In the RESPONSE column, analyze and reflect upon the passage. a. Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text b. Discuss the words, ideas, or actions and why they are significant c. Make a text-to-text connection d. Explain an allusion e. Analyze literary devices, word choice, syntax, or style f. Make connections to a theme g. Make connections to another passage h. DO NOT MERELY SUMMARIZE THE QUOTE OR RE-STATE IT. i. Use elevated diction. j. Write about Literature in the present tense. k. Use AP Literary Terminology. l. Each response ​must be at least 60 words​. 6. In your response, highlight your use of the following in two separate highlighter colors: a. ​elevated diction​ (SAT Vocabulary, Academic Vocabulary, college-level words); You can use your Weekly Vocab from 11AP or your SAT Vocab from 11CP. b. ​AP Literary Terminology​ (lists can be found online; allusion, metaphor, paradox, etc.) The LRJ is due on the first day of school. Grading Rubric for Literary Response Journal Note: An incomplete journal (less than the assigned entries) will result in an automatic 50%. 4.0/ A 3.0/B 2.0/C 1.0/D Quotes Selected Insightful and significant quotes chosen for all entries; page number or chapter is cited Insightful and significant quotes chosen for most entries; page number or chapter is cited Acceptable quotes chosen for all entries; page numbers or chapter may be missing Many quotes are insignificant; page numbers or chapters are missing Analysis 60+ words per entry; includes insightful analysis and accurate interpretation; literary terms are analyzed​; elevated diction is used properly; no grammar or spelling errors. 60 words per entry; includes accurate analysis and acceptable interpretation; literary terms are identified​; elevated diction is used properly; very few grammar or spelling errors. , 40-60 words per entry; includes surface-level analysis and some interpretation; literary terms may be identified; diction is acceptable but not elevated; multiple grammar or spelling errors. Less than 40 words per entry; little analysis and interpretation; literary terms are missing; diction is unacceptable; pervasive grammar or spelling errors.