Summer Reading Assignment:
Honors English I
2016-2017
Select any one of the following novels to complete your summer reading. Answer the questions
that are listed below using complete sentences, well-developed paragraphs, and detailed
examples (direct quotes and page numbers where possible). Answer these questions in a
Word document and save to your computer. Bring the answers with you to your first English
class. The responses will form the basis for your first analytical paper. We will discuss how to
piece all of this together during this initial class.
Hemingway, Ernest
Novels
The Old Man and the Sea
Homer
The Iliad OR The Odyssey (prose or verse version)
McCullers, Carson
The Member of the Wedding
Orwell, George
1984
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
White, T. H.
Once and Future King
1. Describe one character’s problems, or a choice made. What advice do you have for the
character?
2. Explain why you think a character acts the way he/she does.
3. Copy an interesting/important/enjoyable passage (note the page number) in the response
and comment on it.
4. Explain why you would or would not like to have a particular character as a friend.
5. Explain why you would or would not like to have lived in the time and place of the novel.
6. Write questions about a part of the novel that you had difficulty understanding. Choose
one question and explore possible answers.
7. Examine the values of a character you like/dislike.
8. What real person or event(s) are you reminded of by characters or events in the story.
9. What is your overall reaction to the work?
Summer Reading Assignment:
English I
2016-2017
Select any one of the following novels for your summer reading. In approximately five to eight
sentences answer each of the questions that follow the reading list (direct quotes and page
numbers where possible). These will form the basis of an open book in-class essay or paper
during the opening weeks of school. Bring the completed answers with you to class when
instructed.
Novels
Bradbury, Ray
Fahrenheit 451
Card, Orson Scott
Ender’s Game
Hemingway, Ernest
The Old Man and the Sea
Green, Bette
Summer of My German Soldier
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Treasure Island
Wilde, Oscar
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Remember, the answers you provide will be the basis of your first major grade for the course.
1. To begin the plot, the protagonist encounters a problem or choice to be made.
Describe the problem or the choice. Discuss how the protagonist responds to the
dilemma. (Guy, Ender, Santiago, Patty, Jim, Dorian)
2. Motivation: explain why you think the protagonist from question number one acts
the way he/she does?
3. Copy a provocative/interesting/important/enjoyable passage (note the page number)
and then explain your selection in three to four sentences.
4. After reading the book, make predictions about what could happen next, explaining
the reason(s) for your predictions.
5. Explain why you would like to have a particular character as a friend.
6. Examine the values/traits of a character you dislike.
7. What is the novel’s setting? Explain why you would or would not like to have lived
in the time and place of the novel.
8. Identify a chapter or episode of the novel that you had difficulty understanding.
Write one question you had about that part. Discuss the possible answers to that
question.
9. What real person or event(s) are you reminded of by the protagonist or another
important character or event(s) in the story?
10. Reread your answers to the above questions. In light of those answers, what is your
overall evaluation of the book?
Summer Reading Assignment
Honors English II
2016-2017
There are two options for this assignment. Decide which option you prefer and then select one
novel from that option as the basis of your summer paper. Answer the questions that are listed
below the option, using complete sentences, well-developed paragraphs, and detailed examples
(direct quotes and page numbers where possible). These questions will be collected the first
day of class. The responses will form the basis for your first analytical paper. Final papers must
be emailed at [email protected] by 15 August 2016.
Option#1
Hemingway, Ernest
McCullers, Carson
Tan, Amy
The Sun Also Rises
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
The Joy Luck Club
Sometimes when a character(s) are unable to turn to traditional beliefs, a question of identity,
“Who am I and where do I fit in?”, comes to mind. Often times this can cause the feeling of
isolation from society, community, and even family.
Assignment: In a 3-4 page typed paper examine the theme of isolation in the novel selected
incorporating short quotes where possible (WARNING! Do not over quote).
1. Trace a character(s) throughout the novel who questions his/her sense of identity.
Choose three important scenes to support your findings.
2. What events(s) cause them to question who they are and where they fit in?
3. Examine the values one character in the novel possesses. How do others in the novel
react to this character?
4. What causes that character to act as they do? Does it have to do with an internal or
external conflict?
5. What actions, if any, does the character(s) take to fit into their society, community, or
family? Do they end up fitting in or standing out?
OR
Option #2
Sinclair, Upton
Steinbeck, John
Williams, Tennessee
The Jungle
Cannery Row
The Glass Menagerie
Last year you studied Steinbeck’s “Tide pool Theory.” Steinbeck clearly saw the
connection between the ways a marine biologist looks at the tide pools and the way we
might similarly examine human behavior to reach an understanding of mankind.
According to this theory he believed the strong devour the weak and the weak rarely
survive beyond their initial habitat.
Directions: In a 3-4 typed page paper examine the theme of survival of the fittest in
the novel selected incorporating short quotes where possible (WARNING! Do not
over quote).
1. Trace a character(s) throughout the novel who fits into Steinbeck’s “Tide pool
Theory”. Choose three important scenes to support your findings.
2. Describe how others react to the character(s) you have chosen. Do they hold that
person back? Do they help them achieve their dreams? Why or Why not?
3.
What motivates this character(s) to continue to try to improve their life? Are they
motivated by fear, greed, selfishness, or power? If so, explain how they react in these
situations.
4. Does the character(s) you have chosen succeed or fail in what they set out to
accomplish?
5. In each of these novels America and what it has to offer is examined. Discuss how
America is seen as the melting pot of a place for dreams to come true.
Summer Reading Assignment
English II
2016-2017
Choose one of the following novels and then answer all of the questions that follow. Be sure that
you use complete sentences, well-developed paragraphs, and detailed examples (use quotes and
page numbers where possible). Bring the completed answers with you to your first day of class.
The responses will form the basis of your first writing assignment for the course.
Boyne, John
Hurwin, Davida Wills
McCullers, Carson
Myers, Walter Dean
Twain, Mark
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
A Time for Dancing
The Member of the Wedding
Hoops
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Questions for Analysis
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Where you feel it is
appropriate include quotations and page numbers from the text. Remember, the answers you
provide will be the basis of your first major writing assignment for the course.
1. Do any of the characters change or grow over the course of the novel? What changes do
they make? What kinds of challenges do they encounter? What does the author imply
about the process of growing up or becoming mature? Do you agree/disagree?
2. How are the families of the community depicted in the novel? What influences do the
family and community have? What does the author imply about family and community?
Do you agree/disagree?
3. What forms of prejudice appear in the novel/play? What are the effects of prejudice for
both those displaying it and those who are victims? What answers to prejudice are
offered?
4. Is courage displayed by any of the characters? Describe that courage and your responses
to it. What does the author say about courage? Do their views agree with your
experiences?
5. Is tolerance or acceptance displayed toward those with emotional or mental handicaps by
any characters? Describe that tolerance and your response to it. What does the author
say about accepting others who are different? Do you agree/disagree?
Summer Reading Assignment
Honors English III
2016-2017
This year’s summer reading title will be a twentieth century American novel with a direct tie-in
to the earliest eras of British literature: John Gardner’s Grendel. Read a summary of Beowulf
(http://historymedren.about.com/od/beowulf/p/beowulf.htm) before you begin the novel, which
is a “prequel” to that famous poem. You will be expected to take notes as you read Grendel to
prepare to answer a series of questions about the content and structure of the novel, as well as
your responses to the experience of reading it. Your answers will be collected on the first day of
classes in September
Directions: Answer these questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs, as though you
were writing a mini-essay for each one.
Grendel Guided Reading Questions
Chapter 1
1. How does Grendel describe himself? What do Grendel’s words reveal about his selfimage?
2. Describe Grendel’s mother and his relationship with her.
3. Which human does Grendel admit he admires? Why does he admire this person?
Chapter 2
1. How does Grendel’s first meeting with humans affect him? Why does he call them
dangerous and fear them more than he fears the bull?
2. Describe young Grendel’s epiphany in this chapter.
Chapter 3
1. As a detached observer, what does Grendel learn about Hrothgar and his theories? What
shocks Grendel about human behavior toward other humans? Why does Grendel fear
Hrothgar?
2. Why is Grendel so impressed and affected by the Shaper? Why does he fear the Shaper?
Chapter 4
1. Why does Hrothgar build Hart? What does Hart represent to the Danes?
2. How does the story of Cain and Abel affect Grendel?
Chapter 5
1. Why does Grendel visit the Dragon?
2. How does the dragon’s mind differ from Grendel’s and from men’s?
3. How does the Dragon explain the role of the Shaper?
4. What does the Dragon suggest about heroism and nobility? What do they require? Do
you agree? Why or why not?
5. What is the Dragon’s ambition? His final advice?
6. How is Grendel “caged in a limited mind”?
Chapter 6
1. How does Grendel now react to the Shaper’s song?
2. Why do you think Grendel has found “unearthly joy” when he begins his attacks on the
men?
3. According to Unferth, what is heroism?
4. Why doesn’t Grendel kill Unferth and why does this make Unferth so bitter?
Chapter 7
1. Describe Wealtheow.
2. What effect does she have on the Danes? On Grendel?
Chapter 8
1. What threats surround Hrothgar after Hrothulf’s arrival?
2. Describe Red Horse’s political ideology.
Chapter 9
1. What is Grendel’s opinion of religion?
2. What is the significance of Grendel’s encounter with Ork?
3. What does Ork have to say about the king of the gods and about the nature of evil?
Chapter 10
1. How does the Shaper’s death affect Grendel?
2. Explain “Nihil ex nihilo, I always say.”
Chapter 11
1. Describe Grendel’s reactions to Beowulf’s arrival?
2. In what ways are Beowulf and Grendel alike?
3. What happens when Unferth challenges Beowulf about Brecca?
4. How does the Queen respond to Beowulf?
Chapter 12
1. How and why is Grendel defeated?
2. Explain Grendel’s last words: “Poor Grendel’s had an accident…so may you all.”
Summer Reading Assignment
English III
2016-2017
This year’s summer reading title will be a twentieth century American novel with a direct tie-in
to the earliest eras of British literature: John Gardner’s Grendel. Read a summary of Beowulf
(http://historymedren.about.com/od/beowulf/p/beowulf.htm) before you begin the novel, which
is a “prequel” to that famous poem. You will be expected to take notes as you read Grendel to
prepare to answer a series of questions about the content and structure of the novel as well as
your responses to the experience of reading it. Your answers will be collected on the first day of
classes in September.
Directions: Answer these questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs, as though you
were writing a mini-essay for each one.
Grendel Guided Reading Questions
Chapter 1
1. How does Grendel describe himself? What do Grendel’s words reveal about his selfimage?
2. Describe Grendel’s mother and his relationship with her.
3. Which human does Grendel admit he admires? Why does he admire this person?
Chapter 2
1. How does Grendel’s first meeting with humans affect him? Why does he call them
dangerous and fear them more than he fears the bull?
2. Describe young Grendel’s epiphany in this chapter.
Chapter 3
1. As a detached observer, what does Grendel learn about Hrothgar and his theories? What
shocks Grendel about human behavior toward other humans? Why does Grendel fear
Hrothgar?
2. Why is Grendel so impressed and affected by the Shaper? Why does he fear the Shaper?
Chapter 4
1. Why does Hrothgar build Hart? What does Hart represent to the Danes?
2. How does the story of Cain and Abel affect Grendel?
Chapter 5
1. Why does Grendel visit the Dragon?
2. How does the dragon’s mind differ from Grendel’s and from men’s?
3. How does the Dragon explain the role of the Shaper?
4. What does the Dragon suggest about heroism and nobility? What do they require? Do you
agree? Why or why not?
5. What is the Dragon’s ambition? His final advice?
6. How is Grendel “caged in a limited mind”?
Chapter 6
1. How does Grendel now react to the Shaper’s song?
2. Why do you think Grendel has found “unearthly joy” when he begins his attacks on the
men?
3. According to Unferth, what is heroism?
4. Why doesn’t Grendel kill Unferth and why does this make Unferth so bitter?
Chapter 7
1. Describe Wealtheow.
2. What effect does she have on the Danes? On Grendel?
Chapter 8
1. What threats surround Hrothgar after Hrothulf’s arrival?
2. Describe Red Horse’s political ideology.
Chapter 9
1. What is Grendel’s opinion of religion?
2. What is the significance of Grendel’s encounter with Ork? What does Ork have to say
about the king of the gods and about the nature of evil?
Chapter 10
1. How does the Shaper’s death affect Grendel?
2. Explain “Nihil ex nihilo, I always say.”
Chapter 11
1. Describe Grendel’s reactions to Beowulf’s arrival?
2. In what ways are Beowulf and Grendel alike?
3. What happens when Unferth challenges Beowulf about Brecca?
4. How does the Queen respond to Beowulf?
Chapter 12
1. How and why is Grendel defeated?
2. Explain Grendel’s last words: “Poor Grendel’s had an accident…so may you all.”
Summer Reading Assignment
World Literature
2016-2017
Choose any one of the following works to read over the summer.
Complete the questions listed below using complete sentences, well developed paragraphs, and
detailed examples (quotes and page numbers where possible). Bring the completed responses
with you to yourfirst English class. The responses are the basis of your first in class essay or
analytical paper. In addition to the "writer's response" answers, complete one
of the college essay questions.
Ibsen, Henrik
Miller, Arthur
Morrison, Toni
O’Neill, Eugene
An Enemy of the People
All My Sons
The Bluest Eye
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Questions for Analysis
Directions: answer the following questions in complete sentences. Include direct quotations and
page numbers from the text. Remember, the answers you provide will be the basis of your first
major paper for the course.
1. List three (3) major characters of the literary work, and in well developed paragraphs
give an example of what the character learns by the end of the work.
2. Pretend that you are one of the major characters in the literary work. Write a
monologue (one person talking) of the character telling his/her most unique experience.
3. Compare or contrast two of the characters in the work with any two characters studied from
works in your sophomore or junior English classes.
4. Pick a social or political issue. Compose a speech (100-150 words) to be given on that topic
by one of the major characters in the work read. Be sure the contents reflect the
character's personality. Possible issues are political corruption, prejudice, drug addiction,
family communications, poverty, or disillusionment with society.
College Essay Writing
Follow the directions and have the completed essay with you the first full day of class.
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected
topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of
your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the
option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words,
using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit,
not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
Topics:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an
incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons
did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an
intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal
importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took
or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Summer Reading Assignment:
AP Literature and Composition
2016-2017
Below you will find a listing of various readings. You are to select one of these and have a
completed paper emailed to [email protected] by August 15. These will be returned during
the first week of classes and will count as the initial grade for the course. In the development of
the paper, you must incorporate direct quotes and you may use researched information to assist
you in interpreting the ideas (do not get lost in this research. I am looking for YOUR ideas).
The length of the paper is 4-5 pages. Use proper MLA format.
Conrad, Joseph
Hemingway, Ernest
Heller, Joseph
Huxley, Aldous
Chekhov, Anton
Tolstoy, Leo
Heart of Darkness
The Sun Also Rises
Catch 22
Brave New World
The Cherry Orchard
Anna Karenina
Assignment:
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of
associations beyond itself. In literary works, a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or
enlarge literal meaning. Select one of the works above and focusing on two-three symbols, write
a paper analyzing how the symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters
or themes of the work as a whole. Use textual support details. DO NOT USE PLOT
SUMMARY! THERE IS NO NEED TO RESEARCH! LET ME SEE WHAT YOU CAN
DO!
College Essay Writing
Follow the directions and have the completed essay with you the first full day of class.
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected
topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of
your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the
option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words,
using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit,
not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
Topics:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an
incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons
did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an
intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal
importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took
or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Summer Reading Assignment:
World Literature with Film
2016-2017
Choose any one of the following works to read over the summer. Complete the questions
which are listed below using complete sentences, well developed paragraphs and detailed
examples (you must include quotes and page numbers). Bring the journal with you to our
first English class. The responses will form the basis of your first in class essay or analytical
paper.
McCarthy, Cormac
Miller, Arthur
O’Neill, Eugene
Salinger, J.D.
All the Pretty Horses
All My Sons
Long Day’s Journey into Night
The Catcher in the Rye
Questions for analysis:
Directions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Include direct quotations
and page numbers from the work read.
1. List two major characters from the selected work and in a well-developed paragraph, give
an example of what the character learns by the end of the novel.
2. Pretend that you are one of the major characters in the literary work. Using the conclusions
that the protagonist comes to by the end of the work, write a monologue from his/her point of
view which describes what they feel the future holds for them and why?
3. Compare two of the characters in the novel with any two characters studied from works in
your sophomore or junior English classes.
4. Pick a national issue. Compose a speech (100-150 words) to be given on that topic by one of
the major characters in the work read. Be sure that the contents reflect the character’s
personality. Possible issues are aging, political corruption, prejudice, family communications,
poverty, disillusionment with society.
Students entering World Literature with Film are required
to watch a film over the summer that they have never before
seen. Students are to take notes on the film after the initial
viewing. This assignment will also be developed into a first
quarter assignment.
College Essay Writing
Follow the directions and have the completed essay with you the first full day of class.
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected
topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of
your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the
option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words,
using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit,
not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
Topics:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an
incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons
did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an
intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal
importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took
or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Summer Assignments
AP Language and Composition
2016-2017
•
•
•
•
2-3 page Argument Essay– due on Monday, August 1st (email to
[email protected] as a Microsoft Word attachment) – test grade
College Essay for the Common Application – due on the first day of class
Assignment for Thank You for Arguing by Jay Heinrich – due on the first day of
class – quiz grade
Personal Response to The Overachievers - due on the first day of class - quiz grade
Argument Essay: Length: 2-3 typed pages in MLA format. This essay must be emailed to
me by 8 p.m. on Monday August 1st: [email protected]. I will acknowledge that I have
received your essay in an email. If you do not hear from me within 24 hours, assume that
your email did not reach me, and resend your work (test grade). Directions: Choose one of
the options below for your essay topic. In your essay, provide background information on the
situation/topic, express your opinion about the situation/issue, explain why readers should care
about this problem, acknowledge opposing viewpoints on the issue and provide a rebuttal, and
offer specific recommendations on how to improve matters:
1) What are you really learning at school?
2) Are adults hurting their children by pushing them to achieve?
3) What is more important, talent or hard work?
4) What can older people learn from your generation?
Your writing needs to be clear and easy to understand. Although your voice should sound
natural, do not use slang (i.e., OMG) or describe something (or anything) as "stupid."
Assignments for Thank You for Arguing - due on the first day of class. Your assignments
should be typed in MLA format and stapled (quiz grade).
1. Each chapter of the book includes rhetorical terms and their definitions. Make an alphabetized
vocabulary and definitions list and title this list "Rhetoric Terms from Thank You for Arguing."
2. At the end of each chapter, describe a potential scenario in which you could apply Heinrich's
tips to convince others to agree with you on a call for action/give you what you want/understand
and accept the validity of your perspective on an issue.
Personal Response to The Overachievers - due on the first day of class. Your assignment
(approximately two pages) should be typed and written in MLA format (quiz grade).
What is Alexandra Robbins trying to suggest in this work about overachievers and what, if
anything, does she feel ought to be done to help relieve today's students of the burdens they face?
What is your personal response to this work? Do you agree with her assessment? Why or why
not? Which student concerned you the most? The least? Explain your response.
College Essay Writing
Follow the directions and have the completed essay with you the first full day of class.
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected
topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of
your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the
option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words,
using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit,
not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
Topics:
1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please
share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or
time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the
experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would
you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual
challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no
matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to
identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Summer Reading Assignment
Creative Writing
2016-2017
Here are the specifications for your Summer Reading/Writing Project. They are quite
different from those of the past, and the only thing they share with the project specs for the other
senior classes is the college essay requirement, so you will need to read them with care. If you
have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: [email protected]. (Voice mail may be nice, but I
hardly check it over the summer). I hope you have a restful, entertaining, safe summer, and I
look forward to seeing you in September.
1. Acquire (buy/order) Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones as soon as possible. You
may purchase the book from Barnes & Noble or online from amazon.com (or really anywhere
you want).
2. READ IT!!
3. As you read, perform the following actions:
a. Acquire a writer's notebook. (You may follow Goldberg's suggestions except for one
specification: to save my sanity when I evaluate these things, please make sure that
you are using standard sized 8.5 x 11" pages).
b. In your notebook, keep a running response to Goldberg's book. (Your notes need not
be extensive [unless you react very strongly to something], but they do need to be
thorough)
c. Do at least three exercises Goldberg suggests. (You might want to wait until you've
scanned the whole book to decide which ones you like best, or some of them may
strike you as soon as you see them.) In any case, be sure to date them and all of the
work you do in your Writer's Notebook.
d. Ten days before the first day of classes, begin doing the daily "writing practice"
Goldberg describes.
4. In addition to the Writer's Notebook activities focused on Goldberg's book, you will need to:
a. Do at least two Newspaper Dissections (see attached specs), one for July and one for
August. These should be dated and labeled with the name of the paper you use and
should be as detailed as possible.
b. Do the prewriting for your required college essays (see attached English IV specs), as
well as any drafting that you do with pen and paper. If you work exclusively on the
computer, keep hard copies of all of your drafting steps for inclusion with the Writer's
Notebook when it is handed in.
YOUR WRITER'S NOTEBOOK AND THE FINAL DRAFTS OF YOUR COLLEGE
ESSAYS WILL BE COLLECTED ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.
NEWSPAPER DISSECTION
Sit down with your writer's journal and the daily newspaper. Study the obituaries and
society pages. Any interesting names? Note them.
Read page 1. Any ideas for stories? Read between the lines. Was the head of a country
exiled? Think about his family. Has a corporation been accused of bribery? Think how this
would affect the executives that are innocent, the board of directors, the stockholders. Make
notes.
Rapidly examine the inside pages, especially the one and two-inch stories often at the
bottom of the columns. Any ideas there? Make notes.
Scan the editorials and the "Letters to the Editor." They often contain values and/or ideas
that can become themes of short stories. Note them.
Study the pictures. Sometimes they show an unusual hair style, a scar, some physical
trait that can be useful in identifying a character. Note any.
Examine the comic strips; analyze the gag lines (usually in the final frame). How many
depend on word play? On slapstick? On incongruity? Make notes.
Look through the "Help Wanted" ads . . . the "Lost and Found" ads . . . the "Personals."
Any interesting ideas? Note them.
Study the retail ads. Note the loving details of the product descriptions! Exactly what
you may need someday when you are writing. Copy the best descriptions (in quotes so you
remember not to plagiarize).
Got the idea? Continue on your own. Many professional writers follow this procedure
every day. Their journals and files are rich in materials of all kinds. Sometimes they actually
keep clippings; you may want to follow suit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------College Essay Writing
Follow the directions and have the completed essay with you the first full day of class.
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected
topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of
your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the
option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words,
using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit,
not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The
application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
Topics:
1. Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.
2. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and
what lessons did you learn?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act?
Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or
experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition
from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.