12th Grade AP English Literature Required Summer Reading 2014-2015
ALL STUDENTS MUST READ:
1. All students must complete the Biblical Allusions Worksheet. See below ↓ This is essentially a
series of term ID’s based on major stories, parables, miracles, and doctrine from the King James
Bible and which will figure prominently in much of the European Lit you’ll read next year. While
you are encouraged to read the books of Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, and John from The King
James Version of The Bible in order to complete the worksheet, we understand that you may want
to access alternate sources to do so instead (web pages, compendiums, etc.). Either way, you must
cite your source(s) visibly on the Biblical Allusions Worksheet, and turn it in with your annotated
materials.
2. All students must read and annotate "The Prologue" to The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey
Chaucer. (You may photocopy/print this if you prefer not to purchase the entire book; however
you will revisit The Canterbury Tales in class, so you may want to invest in this text regardless).
3. Students must also read BOTH Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein AND Milan Kundera’s The
Unbearable Lightness of Being, and annotate both.
Notes and Tips:
These works will form the course’s first major unit of study. It is imperative that you read and annotate
them with care and complete the Biblical Allusions
Assignment (which, to reiterate, does not require that you read the Bible, per se). If possible, you should
buy all four books.
Annotating:
In preparation for the essay you will write during the first week of school, you must underline important
and interesting passages in the THREE books and make frequent, copious marginal notes.
• Look for important social and historical ideas and connections as well as how the author uses language to
develop theme, character, and plot.
• Use large post-it notes for anything you cannot fit into the margins of the book.
(If you must get the book from a library, use numerous post-it-notes for all your annotations and comments.
Be sure that:
• Use your annotation bookmark while reading ↓ see below
• Underlined passages are relevant to plot, character development and themes or are examples of
outstanding writing.
• Margin or post-it notes are frequent and copious, citing ideas and connections in plot, theme and
characterization.
• The book was annotated in its entirety.
• You bring your annotated books on the first day of school
2014-2015 12TH GRADE AP ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
During the first week of school, you will have an in-class essay exam. For your essay you will need to
understand these books' language, stylistic devices, theme(s), and literary merit. The grades you earn on
your summer reading assignment will count for approximately 25% of your first marking period grade.
This means that if you do not do a satisfactory job on your summer reading you are unlikely to earn better
than a C in English on your first report card. Students who have qualified for honors and AP English but
who do not complete the summer reading assignments will be removed from advanced English and placed
into general classes.
Annotation Bookmark
BEFORE READING
> Examine the front and back covers (books)
> Read the title and any subtitles
> Examine the illustrations
> Examine the print (bold, italics, etc.)
> Examine the way the text is set up (book, short
story, diary, dialogue, article, etc.)
As you examine and read these, write questions,
and make predictions and/or connections near
these parts of the text.
DURING READING
Mark in the text:
> Characters (who)
> When (setting)
> Where (setting)
> Vocabulary ~~~~~
> _______ Important information
Write in the margins:
> Summarize
> Make predictions
> Formulate opinions
> Make connections
> Ask questions
> Analyze the author’s craft
> Write reflections/reactions/comments
> Look for patterns/repetitions
AFTER READING
> Reread annotations—draw conclusions
> Reread introduction and conclusion—try
to figure out something new
> Examine patterns/repetitions—determine
possible meanings
> Determine what the title might mean
Use the “After Reading” strategies to write
Biblical Allusions Summer Reading Assignment
Research and define the following allusions. You are advised use your King James Bible and discover
the meanings in context; you may do additional research on the internet. Your definitions must
include context: who said or did it, what was the event, where did it take place and why was it important.
Type your responses, and include title, book name, and verse/chapter numbers.
1.) The Creation” Genesis 1
2.) The Fall Genesis 3
3.) The Flood Genesis 6
4.) The Mark of Cain Genesis 4-6
5.) The Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9
6.) Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18
7.) Lot and His Wife Genesis 19
8.) The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-17
9.) David and Goliath I Samuel 17
10.) The Nativity Matthew 1, Luke 2
11.) The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:3 - 7:27, Luke 6:17-49
12.) Lazarus John 11:1-12:11
13.) The Last Supper Mark 14, John 13
14.) The Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26
15.) The Betrayal Matthew 25, 26
16.) “The Denial” Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18
17.) Thirty Pieces of Silver Matthew 26, 27; Mark 14, Luke 22, John 13, 18
18.) Golgotha Matthew 27:33, Mark 15:22, John 19:17
19.) The Crucifixion Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19
20.) The Resurrection Luke 24; John 20, 21
21.) The Holy Spirit Acts 1, 2