AP Language and Composition s6

AP Language and Composition: 11th Grade Summer Reading Assignment 2015-2016 Mrs. Neal: [email protected] Google Voice number: (302) 482-8524 (Call or Text)

Welcome to AP English Language and Composition! The AP Language course focuses on many forms of non-fiction writing and the techniques that the authors employ within the art of writing non-fiction.

A few quick reminders:

 All instances of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. Plagiarism is the use of anyone else's words and ideas (this includes Cliffsnotes, Sparknotes, friends, relatives, etc.) and is strictly prohibited.

 Summer reading is 10% of the overall 1st marking period grade, and it will be the basis of many first marking period assignments

 All students are expected to take the AP Language and Composition Exam in the spring. If you are unprepared to do this, you may want to find an alternative placement.

All students are to read:

How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster This literary criticism is a “[…] practical and amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths […]. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices and form [… it is] the perfect companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun.”

You are to choose at least two books from the following list of “Great American Novels” and complete an author study for each book you picked:

The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorn A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gains The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Assignment:  Enroll in my “internet classroom”: https://www.schoology.com o Join the class using the code: Email Mrs. Neal: [email protected] NOTE: We will be using this class discussion board on a regular basis throughout the year.

 You are to analyze each novel, which is why you should start with reading How to Read Literature like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster. There will also be analysis questions on Schoology.

You shall post a MINIMUM of two comments per week:  One related to the reading of your books (I am specifically looking for a connection between How to Read Literature Like a Professor and the other novels you are reading, as well as the author study information)  One response to a classmate’s post. You will be unable to view classmate’s responses until you make your first post (above).  A week is defined as Monday to Sunday- starting June 15th-21st Please be insightful and respectful. Remember, you are trying to show knowledge and comprehension through all parts of the summer assignments. I do not want a summary… this is not a book report.

*I will allow one, one week, bypass for summer vacations, etc. Please contact me with these dates ASAP so that I may post them on my calendar.

Please contact me at: (302) 482-8524 (Call or Text) with any questions or concerns, or you may email me at: [email protected] OR [email protected]

***Please be prepared to discuss all aspects of the summer reading when we return to school. The first few assignments, writing and otherwise, will be based on and related to this summer assignment. Who knows, there may even be an AP style essay expected of you in the first few weeks… SUMMER READING 2014-2015 AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION SUMMER READING CONTRACT

I, ______HAVE RECEIVED, READ, AND UNDERSTAND THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT.

PRINT Your current and working email address:______~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

PRINT Your current and working email address:______~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~ I, ______HAVE RECEIVED, READ, AND UNDERSTAND THE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT.

PRINT Your current and working email address:______