2016 Summer Reading AP English Literature and Composition
James Island Charter High School
Mr. Walpole
The following novels are required reading: 1984 by George Orwell ANDBrave New World by Aldous Huxley.
Welcome to AP English Literature and Composition! I am looking forward to working with you next year. In an effort to ease some of the workload during the academic year, and to assure that we begin immediately discussing literature and the author’s use of literary elements , I you must complete summer reading and a related essay—by the FIRST day of school.
Along with the reading I have attached an assignment. The assignment is designed to help you start off the new school year with a good writing grade. Also have fun with the assignment and show off your potential with your insight. Please read the novel and the attached assignment sheet carefully. As you read do pay close attention to details and perhaps make notes. There will be a reading check quiz!
If you have any questions, you may email me as I will periodically check my email during the summer: . In the meantime, have a Great Summer!!! I look forward to seeing everyone this August!
Guidelines:
This assignment must be typed. Place the MLA header on the front page only. Pay careful attention to your deliberate word choice and sentence structure. Your essay should consist of SIX paragraphs and a FOUR-POINT thesis statement. Your essay should be THREE typed pages. Please follow MLA using Times New Roman and 12-point font. You must include EIGHT direct quotations, FOUR from each novel. In each body paragraph, include at least TWO direct quotations, ONE from each novel.
Assignment:
In a well developed, analytical essay, compose a Comparison & Contrast essay in which you examine the similarities and differences among and between the novels in terms of FOUR aspects. Some possible Points of Comparison include Role of Government, Treatment of the Past, Religion, Technology/Science, Individualism, Love, Family, Role of Fear, Propaganda, Order/Structure, Manipulation, Class Structure, Conformity, Art, Author’s Warnings, Relevance to Today’s Society, and so on.
Organize your essay according to an “AlternatingMethod” (rather than a “Block” approach—which tends to read like two separate essays). Determine your topic points of comparison/contrast , and discuss similarities AND differences between the novels in relation to that topic point. For pointers about planning, organizing, and outlining a Comparison & Contrast essay, consult the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (