AP Language and Composition Summer Reading Assignments 2017-2018
Stephen Flannery [email protected]
Valerie Babbitt [email protected]
Course Description:
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition engages students in the practice of reading a variety of texts with the
purpose of performing rhetorical and argumentative analysis. This full year course is composed of three distinct sections, each
preparing the student to pass the AP test in the spring. Be assured, this is not just a test prep course; we will also examine many of the
seminal works of American Literature. While our larger goal is to develop analytical readers and cogent writers, there are several
specific goals for this course as well:
AP Language Goal: (Representative of the course requirements set by the College Board)
 The purpose of the AP English Language and Composition course is to enable students to read complex texts with
understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers.
Explanation of the summer assignment: Student work that does not meet all of the requirements described below will not be
considered complete. Late or incomplete work will not be accepted. The summer assignment will have a significant impact on the
first semester grade. Completion of the summer assignment is a prerequisite for a passing grade in the course.
PART 1 You will need to purchase and read the following book:
o Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
o This book is readily available for purchase at bookstores and online.
o ISBN # 13:978-1-59308-041-9
o You can also obtain an electronic pdf online
o Read and annotate the autobiography
o Answer the questions regarding Robert O’Meally’s Introduction
The Assignment Part 1
o Read and annotate the book, which means you must write in the book (or if you have an e-book, make notes). As
you read, select ten terms from the list at the end of this document and identify an example of each indicated with
sticky notes, highlights, and/or written notes.
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Answer the following questions, handwritten using black or blue ink.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Introduction by Robert G. O'Meally
1. What is O'Meally's purpose? To inform, to convince, to support, to refute, to provoke, to arouse?
2. Who is O'Meally's targeted audience?
3. What is Douglass's quest?
4. Explain the connection made between Douglass and the dual role of tricksters and the Brer Rabbitt.
5. Describe Douglass's use of mockery with character names such as Covey, Gore, Severe, and Captain Auld.
6. Ponder on the quote "You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave
was made a man." Then explain Douglass's use of chiasmus and his reversal of fortunes.
Use a minimum of three examples from the introduction to support your explanation.
Part 2
All parts of the summer assignment are due the first full day of class. No late papers will be accepted. If you are absent the first day,
then you should email your teacher your essay. Grades reflect content as well as grammar and usage, so please use a formal writing
style. Use present tense verbs when writing about literature and avoid using second person pronouns.
You will need to purchase and read the following book:
•
o
o
The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley
This book is readily available for purchase at bookstores and online.
ISBN # 0-345-35068-5
The Assignment Part 2
Read and annotate the book, which means you must make notes in the book.
As you read, select ten terms from the list below and identify an example of each indicated with sticky
notes, highlights, and/or written notes.
Part 3:
You will need to purchase and read the following book:


On Writing Well by William Zinsser (30th Anniversary Edition)
ISBN-13: 978-0060891541
The Assignment Part 3:
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Read Chs. 1-10 and Ch. 20-end. As you read these chapters, highlight one passage per chapter (of a length between one
sentence and one paragraph) from which you feel you gained an insight into writing, whether your own writing or writing in
general. For each passage (1 per chapter, except for chapters 11-1—see below), write a paragraph (5-8 sentences) on why that
particular passage stood out to you (i.e., what you gleaned from it). This will be submitted to Turnitin.com on the first full
day of school.

For Chs. 11-19: Select the chapter that most interests you and write a composition (500-600 words) on a topic of your choice
in which you apply Zinsser's advice from that chapter. For example, if you were to choose to focus on Ch. 12, “Writing
About People,” you could write about a favorite relative, an interesting neighbor, or someone you don’t know personally but
would be fascinated to interview. In addition to applying Zinsser’s advice from this chapter you should also seek to apply key
pieces of advice from previous chapters. Also, as with any piece of writing, you should have a specific purpose in mind for it:
what is the central idea or intended effect you hope it will have on readers? Settling on this before you write will ensure your
essay is focused and purposeful. Following the essay, include a paragraph that explains how you applied what you learned
from Zinsser. This assignment will also be submitted to Turnitin.com on the first full day of school.
AP Language and Composition Analysis Terms
Argument and literary analysis are important aspects of the AP Language Composition curriculum. To prepare to analyze, there are
some common terms all AP Language students should know.
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Look up and record the definitions for each of the following terms. Write the definition and an original example of each term.
Please hand-write the term, definition, and example for the following words in BLACK or DARK BLUE INK. (Do not type).
Be sure to use rhetoric-related definitions.
You should be looking for these terms or the use of the terms in both of your readings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Diction
Tone
Syntax
Rhetoric
Argument
Rhetorical mode
Informal language
Persona
Rhetorical triangle
Ethos
Understatement
Logos
Pathos
Juxtaposition
Connotation
16. Fallacy
17. Epistrophe
18. Parallel triad
19. Figurative language
20. Analogy
21. Allusion
22. Allegory
23. Anaphora
24. Tone
25. Hyperbole
26. Invective
27. Antithesis
28. Paradox
39. Irony – verbal and situational
30. Colloquial