Wichita High School East  International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
2301 E. Douglas  Wichita, KS 67211  (316) 973-7289 phone  (316) 973-7209 fax
Wichita High School East Freshman Pre-IB Summer Reading 2017-2018
Welcome to IB Summer Reading
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
―Dr. Seuss
In the spirit of IB and in celebration of reading and writing, all Wichita High School East Pre-IB and IB
students are required to complete summer reading assignments.
Students will need to purchase their own copy of the required reading. We have arranged for a special discount
on these titles at Watermark Books, 4701 E. Douglas, so we recommend you purchase them from Watermark.
Please tell them you are purchasing them for the East High summer reading in order to receive the discount. If
you anticipate a problem with this purchase, please notify the IB office immediately.
Assignments related to each book will vary by grade level, and reading guides and questions are enclosed. Use
the reading guides to assist with reading and understanding each book. Instructors will collect and grade
assignments designated for completion before the commencement of school as well as incorporate other grades
(such as objective tests or written work over the summer readings) into the following year’s curriculum; thus,
the summer reading assignments are required assignments for your English class.
If you read the selections early in the summer, please be prepared to reread or study them just before school
starts. This will jump start your academic critical-thinking skills and encourage you to consider literary works
as carefully constructed pieces of art. Remember, this is academic rather than pleasure reading. We hope you
enjoy it, but that is not the primary goal of the assignment. Your English teachers look forward to discussing
these works with you once school begins.
You will need to purchase the following items:
1. The Art of the Short Story: 52 Great Authors, Their Best Short Fiction, and Their Insights on Writing by
Dana Gioia and R.S. Gwyn
 Publisher: Longman; First Edition (September 9, 2005)
 ISBN-10: 0321363639
 ISBN-13: 978-0321363633
 Brief Description: This affordably priced collection presents masterpieces of short fiction from 52 of
the greatest storywriters of all time. This anthology encompasses a rich global and historical mix of the
very best works of short fiction and presents them in a way students will find accessible, engaging, and
relevant. The book's unique integration of biographical and critical background gives students a more
intimate understanding of the works and their authors.
2. Standard Composition Notebook (to be used as your Reading Journal)
 Do not use spiral bound notebooks or loose leaf notebook paper
The Summer Reading Assignment
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.”
―Edmund Burke
Directions: Complete the following tasks in order.
1. Read “The Art of the Short Story” on pages 3-6 of the required anthology. You do not need to take
notes.
2. Read “The Elements of Short Fiction” on pages 849-861 of the required anthology and using
standard blue or black pen take neat legible handwritten notes in your reading journal.
3. Read each of the following stories several times:
 “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
 “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
 “The Rocking-Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence
 “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe
 “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka
4. For each assigned story, note 10-15 unfamiliar or meaningful words in your journal and provide a
relevant definition for each—try to use all parts of the story (beginning, middle, and end). The list of
words should appear directly before the elements of short fiction notes for each story.
5. After you read and identify critical vocabulary words, take handwritten notes over each story in your
reading journal. Use the “Basic Elements of Short Fiction” attachment to help you organize and
structure your notes. Remember that since the elements of short fiction follow the chronological order or
structure of the story, you cannot repeat any items. For example, the initial incident only occurs once in
the story; therefore, you cannot repeat it in your rising action. Similarly, you cannot repeat events from
rising action in the climax.
6. Write a formal analysis essay focusing on the themes of the selections and the author’s techniques—
character development, conflict, critical plot details, symbolism, figurative language, etc. Be sure to use
quoted evidence from the stories to support your claims (the points you are trying to make or arguments
that you can support).
Note:
 Summer reading accounts for roughly 10% of your first semester grade.
 Your journal will be collected for a grade on the first full day of school.
 In order to produce quality work, start soon and create a workable schedule—do not
procrastinate.
 Late work will be accepted, but there will be a 20% deduction for every day past the due date.
 In addition to the journal, you will be tested over the summer reading; therefore, take time to
study the material (your notes).
I hope you enjoy the reading selections. If you have any questions, contact me at [email protected].
The Basic Elements of Short Fiction
Write the title of the story and the author’s name at the top of the page for every entry in your Reading
Journal and include the following information in your notes—follow the outline structure
(numbering/lettering and indentations) and be sure that your entries are critical and well developed.
I. Exposition— The introduction or background (use bulleted phrases for parts A and B)
A. Setting- use direct quotes and inferred details concerning time, place, season, social conditions, etc.
(show critical thinking)
B. Characters and Characterization- begin with the protagonist, then the antagonist, followed by any
other important minor characters
1. Give a brief description of each character. Explain the character’s role.
2. Apply three distinct and relevant character traits that can be supported using evidence from the
beginning, middle, and end of the story
II. Initial Incident— also called point of attack.
A. What is the first incident that gets the plot moving and forces the protagonist to encounter the
antagonist?
B. Explain your response— be critical
III. Conflict— Explain both the internal and external conflicts.
A. Internal (character vs. self— an emotional or psychological conflict)
B. External (character vs. character, beast, nature, supernatural, etc.)
IV. Rising Action— list two meaningful complications (events that intensify the conflict and move toward
the climax). Generalize enough to cover as much plot as possible.
A. Meaningful Complication #1
B. Meaningful Complication #2
V. Climax— What is the turning point?
A. What event occurs that causes the main character to change permanently and clearly leads to a
resolution in the conflict?
B. Explain your response— be critical
VI. Resolution— How are the internal and external conflicts from #3 resolved? Address both.
A. Internal
B. External
VII. Conclusion— How does the story end? Discuss the significance and provide some insight (think
critically).
A. Literal Ending
B. Analysis (Significance/Insight)
VIII. Theme Statement— What observation about humanity does the author communicate?
 This must be a single well-written sentence.
 Infer— do not quote.
 Theme statements are original— not plagiarized, cliché, a moral, or a command.
 Do not use first (I, me, we, our, us, our, etc.) or second person (you/yours) pronouns.
 Do not begin with “The author is trying to say that…” or “The theme statement is…”
 Example: Humans will often compromise their morals in exchange for self-preservation.
The Formal Outline Note Taking System
• Highly structure, logically organized notes
• Levels of information clear
• Formal outlines show a skeleton of the printed
information
• Use formal outlines to take notes after reading
Standard Outline Format
• Indent and align items to show levels of information.
• Show at least two subtopics under each category.
• Use Roman numerals for main topics.
• Use Arabic numerals for supporting details.
• Use key words and short phrases throughout the outline.
Structure of a Formal Outline
I. Topic
A. Subtopic
1. Detail
2. Detail
B. Subtopic
1. Detail
2. Detail
II. Next Topic
A. Subtopic
1. Detail
2. Detail
(Repeat this pattern as you extend your notes)
Summer Reading Journal Grading Rubric
Category
A- Excellent
B- Good
C- Average
D- Basic
F- Poor
Development
of Content
 Product is
developed in depth
with great attention
to detail and
examples
 Defines, explains,
and elaborates on
concepts
 Demonstrates a
critical
understanding and
application of the
content
 Product shows a
tremendous amount
of original thought
 Critical thinking is
evident
 Ideas are inventive
and insightful
 Follows formal
outline format
correctly
 Content is easily
accessible
 Handwriting is
legible
 Product shows a
great amount of time
spent
 Very careful, neat
work
 Product is developed,
includes essential
information, and
demonstrates
understanding
 Defines important
concepts
 Demonstrates a good
understanding and
application of the
content
 Product includes
essential information
but there are errors or
it is not welldeveloped
 Defines important
concepts
 Demonstrates an
average
understanding and
application of the
content
 Content is minimal
or there are several
errors
 Focus is unclear or
definitions are basic
or overly simplistic
 Demonstrates a very
basic or very
understanding and
application of the
content
 Content is minimal
and/or incomplete
 Does not
consistently define
important concepts
 Does not
demonstrate
understanding or
application of the
content
 Product shows
original thought
 Some consistent
critical thinking
 Work shows new
ideas and insights
 Product shows some
original thought
 Limited moments of
critical thinking
 Product shows little
evidence of original
thought
 Lacks insightful
critical thinking
 Very literal at best
 No original
thought
 No critical thinking
 Some errors in format
 Content is easily
accessible
 Handwriting is
mostly legible
 Several errors in
format
 Content is not as
easily accessible
 Handwriting is
mostly legible
 Many errors in
format
 Content is not easily
accessible
 Handwriting is
difficult to read
 Does not follow
format
 Content is not
easily accessible
 Handwriting is
illegible
 Product shows a good
amount of time spent
 It is carefully
completed
 Product shows some
amount of time spent
 Product shows a
minimal amount of
time spent
 Does not show that
enough time was
spent
 Disorganized and
messy work
 Looks rushed
Insight and
Critical
Thinking
Organization
and Neatness
Quality and
Effort