AP Language and Composition & Pre-AP English III
Summer Reading 2010- 2011
Dear Pre- AP English III and AP Language Student and Parents,
Welcome to an advanced level of junior English!!! The College Board Advanced Placement curriculum reflects college-level analysis, reading and writing. It is conducted as a seminar course, requiring students to participate fully on both a written and verbal level. The more participation, the greater the benefits everyone will reap. The course is a mix of college composition and rhetoric and exemplary American literary works – both classic and contemporary.
The summer reading selection will be The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This novel defines the Jazz Age and the quest of man to attain the American dream. Mysteriously, the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, (whom the reader does not even meet for a few chapters) rises into wealth, fame, and the inner circles of the rich, beautiful and “connected” of Long Island, New York. Jay’s quest comes to personify the America of the Roaring Twenties- hopeful, celebratory, sophisticated yet materialistic and on the brink of collapse. I encourage parents to read and discuss the book with your child as the summer progresses.
In order to ensure that the AP student completes the summer reading and has read it thoughtfully; he/she will complete an assignment with a due date of the first day of school. In addition to this grade being the first grade of the course, he/she will take an objective test in class on the first day of school, followed by an essay and other analysis activities which will be graded. The first couple of weeks of the new school year will focus on an intense study of this novel. Although a movie version exists and the internet has multiple websites with summary of this classic novel, a student who does not read the book in its entirety and relies on secondary sources will not do well on the objective test, written essay and subsequent grades from both discussion and written analysis which will count on the first nine weeks’ grading period.
Reading The Great Gatsby should not overtake the entire summer vacation by any stretch of the imagination. I have provided a due date reminder, a rubric and instructions on completing the assignment on the attached sheet.
One of the goals for these two courses is for students to be prepared for college with the English skills needed to be successful in college and / or earn college credit hours in high school. However, the ultimate goal is to improve the students’ ability to think analytically and to appreciate the power of the way something is written impacts what is being said. If you have any questions during the summer you may reach the junior advanced teachers by e-mail at and . We hope all of you have a great summer and look forward to starting the next school year.
Sincerely,
Letitia Hughes
BCHS Curriculum Specialist
AP Language Teacher
Jaime Poland
Pre-AP English III Teacher
Put this Assignment Due Date Reminder on the Fridge!!!
Assignment Due: First Day of School
Total point value: 200 points
Assignment Summary:
As you read, look for passages/quotes that relate to the theme/ topic on the envelope given to you. Copy the passage WORD FOR WORD and the chapter and page number and speaker on an index card or small slip of paper and put it in the envelope. Make these legible enough for another student to read in an in-class activity.
Keep in mind there are many different envelope topics.
Do not share what you have chosen to include in the envelope with classmates until you are told to do so. Once school starts, there will be many activities using the contents of your envelopes. The contents and envelope topics will be used as essay prompts, groups with common topics will meet as well as groups formed from different topics to share the contents of the envelopes, discuss why the passages were selected, and to articulate the effect of the quoted passage on the meaning of the work.
Once you are finished reading the book, select 10 slips of paper / cards out of the envelope that are the most significant and write an analysis of each passage. How is the passage reflective of the theme? What literary /rhetorical elements does it contain or connect to?
Reflect on the significance/ meaning of the passage. Number the passages and analysis and type each in a separate paragraph.
Some chapters may not contain passages that relate to your envelope and other chapters may have multiple passages that relate to that topic. Each envelope should contain no less than 10 excerpts / quotes. Inclusion of more passages demonstrates effort.
Submission Guidelines:
1. Submit analysis assignment typed in Times New Roman 12 point font double spaced.
2. Assignments received after the first day will receive a 50% deduction in grade for each day submitted after the due date.
Rubric:
Selection of passages (10 points each) 100 points
*passages relate to theme/ topic
*effort demonstrated in number of passages
* all passages have page number, chapter number and speaker
Analysis: (10 points each) 100 points
*typed in Times New Roman 12 point
*each passage selected is significant, relates to theme
*analysis shows depth of thought and reflection on meaning of quote and / or literary and rhetorical analysis
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AP Language and Composition & Pre- AP English III
Summer Reading 2009-2010
AP Student’s Name (Printed): ______Gatsby Book Number: ______
I understand my child’s obligation to the summer reading requirements for AP Language and Composition OR Pre- AP English III. Further assignment explanation regarding The Great Gatsby occurs on other attached handouts. If my child loses the book, I understand that I will have to pay a $12 replacement fee.
______Parent Signature Date: ______
I understand that the assignments regarding The Great Gatsby will be my first grades for AP Language and Composition / Pre- AP English III and that the assignment is due on the first day of school.
______Student Signature Date: ______
This should be returned by June 2nd, 2010.