AP English Language and Composition – Summer 2019 Assignment

Ms. Pataro’s contact information: [email protected] or 803-270-9479 (cell #) Feel free to call me throughout the summer. Really…I mean it.

Please complete the following during your summer reading:

You will read one NON-FICTION book. You’ll have to purchase the book yourself at “Books-A- Million,” “Barnes & Noble,” .com or the like.

1.) Everyone Must Read - : The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

I am not requiring you to turn in a journal or turn in your answers to questions; however, I expect you to thoroughly answer the questions listed at the end of this section. While reading, engage in close reading, annotation and explication. If you avoid close reading the text and taking thorough notes, your grade will suffer when you return to school because you will be unprepared for the year’s work. I will know, through your responses, whether you have completed the work. On your return to school, you will be writing an essay about Outliers. You may use your books and notes during the essay. Your book should be tabbed and annotated.

Questions for Outliers:

During the first week of school, you will be writing an argumentation essay that incorporates the information you gather from these questions.

 1. This year I want you to start going beyond how you normally think about the world. How has Outliers changed the way you think about the idea of success? What examples can you think of that support or refute Gladwell’s thesis? (Use textual and global support to defend your answers.)

 2. The 10,000-hour rule may have made you uncomfortable or perhaps you found it encouraging. Reflect on Gladwell’s hypothesis about practice and opportunity. Defend or refute his claim. (Use textual and global support to defend your answers.)

2.) In additional to your reading become a news junkie!

Please watch and read the news whenever you can this summer. Focus on major networks like CNN, FOX, MSNBC, BBC, PBS, ABC, NBC, CBS etc. Read major publications such as U.S. News and World Report, Time, , The Wall Street Journal, The Globe, , , Atlantic etc. You can find many articles from these publications on-line. When you are watching and reading the news, be open to all points of view and opinions. Challenge yourself to absorb news that you might not generally listen to. Pay particular attention to how and why news is written and reported. Be a wise consumer and be as objective as possible. All of the information you absorb this summer will pay off in your ability to discuss social and political issues. You will be able to pull from these resources all year and on the AP exam. The effort you put into this class will determine your success. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of SUMMER READING

AP English Language and Composition

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the 2019 Summer Reading and Writing Requirements in preparation for AP English Language and Composition next school year. I will obtain Outliers: The Story of Success. I will read it, and I will respond in accordance with the instructions on the handout given to me by Ms. Pataro. I will enjoy my reading thoroughly, and I will come to class the first day of school with all of my writing responses and my book. Even if I spend my summer vacation on the island of sunny Fiji or on the continent of icy Antarctica, I will be prepared to discuss the literature and write an in-class essay the first week of school!

Student Name: (print) ______

Student Name: (signature) ______

Parent/Guardian Signature (signature) ______

Date: ______

Return to Ms. Pataro (C -258) by Friday, May 18th, 2019.