AP Psychology, Fall 2006

AP Psychology 15-16 Summer Reading Assignment Due Date: TBD… end of 1st week of Seminar or Classes

Write a brief reaction paper based on your summer readings which serves two main purposes. First, it introduces you to the teacher through your writing and perspectives. Writing skills are important to achieving success in the AP Exam as well as presenting yourself in a credible and responsible manner. Second, it provides an opportunity for you to express your interests and focuses about the readings. In other words, I want you to write about the topics that captured your curiosity. There will be plenty of time to study and learn topics you’re not interested in.

Format: Typed, 3-4 pages of reflective text + 1 cover page ( your name, date course, and instructor on bottom right hand corner + creative title centered in the middle of the page.). Double spaced, font size 12, one inch margins all sides, stapled top left corner.

I encourage you to write your reflection immediately after reading the entire book. Don’t wait writing until finishing all of the books. One of your goals is to give a reaction and reflection of each book. How did the themes and ideas “connect” to you?

First: For each book, choose a topic or theme that captured your interest the most. It should have the greatest application or affirmation from your life experiences. It is important to relate personally to these topics.

Next: Write about one page for each book, that discusses why this topic relates to your life experiences.  In other words, how have you seen this idea, concept, or approach to emotions, physiology, or cognitive processes, so true?  Then again, maybe there are certain concepts that you disagree with and can express a counter- experience.  If so, you may choose to disagree with the author, and that’s acceptable too. But you must explain why.

Beware that this assignment is not a debate or philosophical dialogue. The authors, researchers, and scientists all have significant data that support their positions and approaches to human behavior. Psychology is driven towards science. It need not be scientific, but it should be take from real experiences (not “what if’s”).

Keep this in mind as you parallel the books findings with that of your own experiences. None of the topics between the books need to relate to one another. But on the other hand, don’t resist the connections that you do find between the books.

DO NOT give a synopsis or book review. We all will read the books and know what issues are discussed.

Please caution that I do not always believe that “more is better.” More icing on the cake can lead to cholesterol and arterial degeneration, not health. More powerful V-12 engines in an unstable global petroleum market leads to foolish political and military policies, not self sufficiency.

Excessive writing on a first assignment will lead to a testy and impatient teacher who warned you beforehand not to write too much. Act wisely even if you decide foolishness!

On the other hand, I welcome a natural and fluid style of expression that displays your skills, knowledge, and viewpoints. You hopefully are as literate and competent as writers and thinkers as you are Facebookers or Tweeters.

If you write like you text, take the “F” now. #getoriginalthoughts Last: Proofread your writing for conventions, grammar, and “flow.” Sloppy errors diminish your competency as a writer and lessen the impact of your ideas. If your paper is boring to you, it is guaranteed to be boring for your audience (that’s me, your teacher). If your paper is unpronounceable, then too that shows less of your ideas and that of a internet “paper tiger.” Go google sometime else. There’s no need for research other than a dictionary for vocabulary you might not be familiar with.

Tips:  Write and print your paper at least 1 week before the due date. Put it in a safe place. After 3 or 4 days of not seeing it, pick it up and read it again. Let someone else read it and tell you what your ideas are before you tell her/him what you wanted to write about.  Proofread again for fluency, connection of ideas, and grammar. Read it backwards to pick up spelling errors. Read it out loud and listen. If you pause or hesitate, or need to gasp for breath, then your teacher doesn’t stand a chance at understanding your writing. If parts stand out as awkward, confusing, or unclear, then they probably are.  You always need to make improvements or adjustments, but at some point you can only manipulate and revise only so much before it loses its reflective qualities.  Sleep on it and accept what you have done is an accurate record of your effort, skill, and expression.

Good Luck!!!!