Summer Reading
The purpose and long-term goal of this class is to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May. I highly suggest that you familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and the expectations of an AP class.
Specific information concerning AP English Language and Composition is available at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_englang.html.
Novels:
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
The literature for summer reading and the literature for class is aimed at a college audience and may contain adult issues. Both of these novels are frequently used on the AP Language and Composition exam.
The following writing assignment is due on the first day of class. Students who fail to submit their summer reading assignments will suffer a penalty in their grade for the first grading period, possibly more than one letter grade.
As you read Fitzgerald and Hurston, consider these topics:
� � Reality vs. desire
� � Pursuit of dreams/goals
� � Impact of setting on the themes of the books (NYC vs. Deep South)
Part I:
Write one five-page, double-spaced essay examining the two works with reference to one theme listed above. Use specific textual evidence and give page references to document the evidence you have found. Use basic MLA style (e). Do not consult outside sources, other than the two books, for your essay. I�m interested in your synthesis, not the ideas of others.
Also address the authors� narrative structures (the way the stories are told). How do the authors� choices in narrative approach impact the stories they tell and help or undermine the purpose of telling them?
Part II
On a separate single sheet of paper, select and record two passages, one from each work you read. Choose this passage because its style struck you in some way. Your selected passage should be between 8-10 sentences long. After you�ve copied the passage �single-spaced (with page number), let me know how you reacted to it. I�m more interested in your reaction to the writing, not the content. Your reaction should be brie�between three and five sentences.
Fall 2005
When you return to school, we will do additional work with these pieces and there will be an objective exam on both novels. We will also use these books to begin the year�s discussion, analyzing and interpreting them for the first several days of class. Please be prepared to contribute insights and opinions on the works and their merits.
I think you�ll enjoy the selections; I look forward to working with you next year!
Miscellany
Copies of both books should be available at bookstores as you may consider purchasing your books to reference them at the start of the school year.
You may try to contact me over the summer if you�ve got concerns or questions. My school e-mail address is: : [email protected]
I will check my account more frequently as the school year approaches, especially the final couple of weeks before school. However, do not wait until the last week before school. I will respond.