IB English 1 summer assignments
Brave new world by Aldous Huxley
You have TWO assignments to complete as you read Brave New World: journals and research. When
we return in September, we will immediately begin working on an essay analyzing the book, so it will
be helpful for you to think about essay topics as you read.
Assignment 1: Journal
As you read, use post-it notes or adhesive book flags to mark passages that you find interesting (we
can give you book flags before school is over if you’d like). Then, after each section of the novel
(suggestions below), create a reflective journal entry. This assignment encourages you to become
more thoughtful about and connected to what you are reading. In other words, what emerges from
the text for you?
Each time you complete a section of the book, consider your reaction to the work. Then let your
mind and emotions go and reflect on what you’ve read. Perhaps there are certain questions that you
begin to ask. Write them down, ponder, and explore. Maybe certain quotations stick out to you.
Why? Copy the lines from the book and explain what they mean to you. What do certain passages
have to say about the work as a whole? What do you think about the narrator, the other characters,
their decisions and feelings, and the ideas the author introduces? Do you agree, disagree, get angry,
reconsider some of your preconceptions?
These reflections don’t need to be formal, essay-type writing, but do take care to use correct spelling
and grammar. Again, the goal of this assignment is to create personal and analytical reactions to the
characters, events, and ideas in the book. In September, we will discuss what emerges from the text
for each of us.
NOTE 1:
Do NOT write summaries of the book’s plot. This assignment is not a test of your recall of the book’s
events; it is meant instead to reflect your personal interaction with the text.
NOTE 2:
Your journal should consist of at least FIVE reflections (more are encouraged) of at least one
extended paragraph (10-12 sentences) each. Each entry should express your thoughts about, insights
into, and reactions to the chapter sections indicated below. A great idea is to use post-it notes to
mark important sections and ideas you want to remember or return to.
More ideas about journal entries:
 Each time you sit down to read, note the date and the starting and ending pages
 Entries may be handwritten, but must be LEGIBLE to receive a grade!
 Each response should respond to a corresponding section of the book; if all of your entries
pertain to the first chapters, I will assume you did not read the entire book
 The most meaningful journals reflect on specific lines and ideas from the reading
Suggestions for journal sections (more entries encouraged!):
Journal 1:
Chapters 1-3 (1-56)
Journal 2:
Chapters 4-6 (57-106)
Both assignments
(journal and research)
Journal 3:
Chapters 7-10 (107-152)
DUE:
FIRST DAY OF ENGLISH
CLASS
Journal 4:
Chapters 11-15 (153-216)
Journal 5:
Chapter 16-end (217-259)
Journal Prompts
Not sure how to begin to your response to the reading? Try one of these starting points.
I feel sorry for/ angry at/ disgusted with, etc. __________________ because….
I would like to meet __________________ because….
I like the way the author…because….
I wonder if….
My favorite part has been….because….
I felt __________________ when….
I was confused when ____________________ because….
If I __________________ I think I would have….
I never would __________________ because….
Why did….? My guess is that….
Questions?
Mr. Chang:
email: [email protected]
I really liked/disliked….because….
Ms. Dorn:
email: [email protected]
I agree with the idea of….because….
website:
http://cdornrbrhs.weebly.com/
I disagree with the idea of….because….
Assignment 2: Research
After (or as) you read your book, you will also research secondary sources that analyze or comment
on the text. Good literary criticism can be found online using databases that pull articles from
academic journals or compiled resources such as Novels for Students. By using academic databases,
you ensure that you are using reputable, legitimate sources. Sites such as Sparknotes, enotes, and
Shmoop are not acceptable sources.
On the other side of this page are suggested articles and information about accessing RBR databases
during the summer. If you do not have internet access at home, you can use public libraries or stop
by RBR, which is open most Mondays-Thursdays in the summer.
Keep in mind that “criticism” does not mean that the author is criticizing the book or pointing out
faults he or she finds with the novel. It is analysis of a specific element of the book. Therefore, for
clarity, it’s often easier to call secondary sources “literary analysis” rather than “criticism.”
You may conduct your research at any point during your reading, but it is likely best to finish the book
and then check out literary criticism (only because much of the material you read will contain
spoilers).
**READ THESE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!**
When you find an essay or article that interests you:



Print out the essay/article (you might have to copy and paste it into a Word document).
Take notes both ON the printed-out article (highlighting/underlining and using side notes)
and ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER. Focus on the most important or compelling
information.
In a short paragraph, summarize the article/essay in your own words. Please type and doublespace this summary.
**Turn over for suggested articles and database instructions**
Both assignments
(journal and research)
DUE:
FIRST DAY OF ENGLISH
CLASS
Also not a good source for literary criticism
Recommended sources (on RBR’s Media Center Database page)
From Gale Virtual Reference Library:
Distortions and Delusion: the Literature of Propaganda
[Scroll down to read Brave New World information]
Novels for Students (criticism):
Jhan Hochman
Richard H. Beckman
Peter Edgerly Firchow
From Literature Resource Center:
“The Provocations of Lenina in Huxley's Brave New World”
David Leon Higdon
“The Classic: Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'”
Thomas D. Clareson
From Bloom’s Literary Reference Online:
“State Versus the Individual: Civil Disobedience in Brave New World”
Jake Pollerd
“’Fordism’ in Brave New World”
Scott Peller
To access RBR databases:
Start at
www.rbrhs.org
then, under STUDENTS,
Media Center (databases appear on Media Center home page)
USER NAME: rbrhs
PASSWORD: rbrhs
then
Find and click on:
Literature Resource Center
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Bloom’s Literary Reference Online
and search for articles
Questions?
Mr. Chang:
email: [email protected]
Ms. Dorn:
email: [email protected]
website: http://cdornrbrhs.weebly.com/