Peachtree Academy 2017-2018 AP Language and Composition Summer Reading
Welcome to AP Language and Composition. The AP English Language course emphasizes a mix of politics, history, social sciences, current events and non-fiction prose. This class is different from most English classes you have taken before; it will ask you to analyze writing, develop sound reasoning and argumentation, as well as examine the power of language. This summer assignment offers you a chance to create a database of information you will use throughout the school year.
You are required to actively engage in reading, writing, and viewing prior to taking this class. You will compile a portfolio of writing in a three-ring binder based on your experiences as a reader and a writer, which is due the first day of class and will be a significant portion of your first quarter grade. We will be referring to the summer reading texts throughout the entirety of the course, so you are encouraged to annotate the readings and take detailed notes on all of the pieces, which will be valuable for in-class activities, comprehension, and retention. I look forward to teaching you this year. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. McRae at [email protected]. Portfolio Requirements Select ONE of the Required Texts:
102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Flight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Kevin Flynn and Jim Dwyer ISBN: 978-0805094213
1. Amazon: $13.67 free shipping on orders over $35 http://www.amazon.com/102-Minutes-Unforgettable-Survive- Inside/dp/0805094210/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432823552&sr=8- 1&keywords=102+minutes+the+untold+story+of+the+fight+to+survive+inside+the+twin+towers
2. Barnes & Nobles: $13.80 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/102-minutes-jim-dwyer/1100550838?ean=9780805094213
Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World By Tina Rosenberg ISBN: 978-0393341836
1. Amazon: $14.04 free shipping on orders over $35 http://www.amazon.com/Join-Club-Pressure-Transform- World/dp/0393341836/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432823798&sr=8-1&keywords=join+the+club
2. Barnes & Nobles: $18.84 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/join-the-club-tina-rosenberg/1100291174?ean=9780393068580
The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids By Alexandra Robbins ISBN: 978-1401309022
1. Amazon: $12.51 free shipping on orders over $35 Peachtree Academy 2017-2018 http://www.amazon.com/Overachievers-Secret-Lives-Driven- Kids/dp/140130902X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432823962&sr=8- 1&keywords=the+overachievers+the+secret+lives+of+driven+kids
2. Barnes & Nobles: $12.51 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/overachievers-alexandra-robbins/1100551408?ean=9781401309022
Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything By James Gleick ISBN: 978-0679775485
1. Amazon: $14.11 free shipping on orders over $35 http://www.amazon.com/Faster-Acceleration-Just-About- Everything/dp/067977548X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432824125&sr=8- 1&keywords=faster%3A+the+acceleration 2. Barnes & Nobles: $14.39 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faster-james-gleick/1102785038?ean=9780679775485
For ONE of the texts, complete the following assignments:
I. Top Five Vocabulary Words
Directions- Select five examples of interesting diction in the text. For each word:
1. Write the sentence, complete with page number citation in MLA format. 2. Define the word. Some words have multiple definitions. Be sure to write down the definition that applies to the sentence you have selected. 3. Discuss how the use of this word (in the context of the text) impacts the reader in a specific way. Pay particular attention to words with a specific connotation. 4. Use this word in your own sentence.
II. Top Five Passages
Select the five most influential passages that illustrate interesting arguments in the text. For each passage:
1. Write the sentence (or sentences), complete with page number citation in MLA format. 2. Discuss the use of this sentence or sentences in the context of the text. Why did you select this passage? How does a thorough understanding of this passage play an important role in understanding the author’s purpose? 3. Label the tone of this passage. How does the author use specific strategies to create this tone?
III. Argument Essay
Defend or challenge an assertion the author makes in the book using applicable evidence and logical reasoning. Avoid summary. You may use outside research material in addition to the text itself to help support your points, but be sure Peachtree Academy 2017-2018 to cite properly using MLA format. Your paper should be 1-2 typed, double-spaced pages, in 12-point font.
IV. Related Article (4 required)
To begin to create a foundation of examples and ideas to support the arguments you will be asked to make, you need to read a quality news source, such as The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, or US News & World Report, throughout the summer. “The Week in Review” section of the Sunday New York Times provides an excellent look at the main events and arguments of the week. Any newspapers or magazines written in English will suffice to complete this part of the assignment, but be sure to use a variety of sources.
1. For ONE summer reading text, collect 4 current event articles that relate to an issue in the text. • You may select op-ed (opinion/editorial) pieces or news/feature articles, but you may not select more than one piece by the same author. • Be sure to select articles from a variety of newspapers and/or magazines.
2. Copy or print out the piece.
3. For EACH article, complete a Journalist Columnist Response form. ***It is important to note that a thorough understanding of current events gives students a strong advantage in this course, so although you need to collect at least four articles, the more articles you read, the better.***
FAQ: What to do if you are going to be away for the summer and will not have access to a national or international newspaper or magazine written in English:
1. Access articles online.
2. Use the public library before you go and when you get home. They keep back issues for a certain time period.
3. Ask a friend or family member to buy and save several issues of news articles for you to read when you come home.
4. Subscribe to news magazines before you leave and catch up on reading when you get home.
V. Related Visual (4 required) 1. For ONE summer reading text, collect four visual sources that relate to an issue in the text. Visuals can be ads, cartoons, posters, photos, tables, graphs, charts, sculptures, paintings, etc.
2. Copy or print out the piece.
3. For EACH visual, complete a Visual Analysis Response form.
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Summer Reading Definitions
The following definitions will help you prepare for the writing component of this summer reading portfolio. You are encouraged to mark passages/page numbers that relate to these elements for future reference.
An assertion is a statement, claim, contention, allegation, or declaration.
Detail includes facts, observations, and incidents used to develop a subject or make an abstraction concrete. A lack of detail can also be a powerful tool to focus the reader’s attention on what isn’t said or shown.
Diction refers to the writer’s word choices, especially with regard to connotation, correctness, clearness, and effectiveness. A writer might describe an author’s diction as formal or informal, ornate or plain.
Imagery is the verbal representation of the five senses. On a broader and deeper level, however, images can be used as metaphors or symbols, and one image can represent more than one thing.
Appeals:
Writers and speakers appeal to ethos, or character of a person, to demonstrate that they are credible and trustworthy.
Writers and speakers appeal to logos, or reason, by offering clear, logical ideas.
Writers and speakers appeal to pathos, or emotion, to engage an audience.
Rhetoric is the study of effective, persuasive language use, including thinking, writing, and speaking strategies; rhetoricians analyze and evaluate what works and what does not work in a specific context.
Syntax is the way an author chooses to join words into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Syntax involves groups of words, while diction refers to the individual words.
Tone describes the author’s attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author’s tone. Some words describing tone are pedantic, accusatory, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, melancholic, dejected, authoritative, ironic, inquisitive, condescending, zealous, reverent, cynical, satirical, facetious, scornful, apathetic, candid, vibrant, whimsical, cryptic, pompous, sardonic, denunciatory, poignant, objective, didactic, nostalgic, zealous, contemptuous, urgent, sentimental, insolent, inflammatory, pensive, incredulous, self-deprecating, benevolent and somber. Of course, don’t just limit yourself to these words. Find the best tone word to describe your passage.
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Definitions guided by: Swovelin, Barbara V. English Language and Composition: Preparation Guide. Lincoln: Cliffs, 1993.
Shea, Renee, et al. The Language of Composition. Boston: Bedford / St. Martin’s, 2008.
MLA Citations: An excellent resource for MLA citations can be found at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
Grading Rubric
Each project will be assessed using the following rubric and issued a grade based on which description best fits the project’s quality. While no project may exceed a score of 100 points, projects fitting other descriptions may earn bonus points for showing some of the traits present in higher quality projects.* 100 points: Project addresses all parts of the questions/prompts completely and correctly. If asked for, answers have examples and/or details for every point made. Convention errors are absent.
90 points: Project addresses all or most parts of the questions/prompts completely and correctly. If asked for, answers have examples and/or details for every point made. Convention errors are present, but minimal.
80 points: Project addresses questions/prompts completely, but some information is wrong. If examples and/or details are asked for, some examples and details are present, but they are not fully described. There are some convention errors, but the meaning of what is said is still understandable.
70 points: Project addresses questions/prompts completely, but some information is wrong. If examples and/or details are asked for, some examples and details are present, but they are not fully described. There are many convention errors, but the meaning of what is said is somewhat understandable.
60 points: Project does attempt an answer to the questions/prompts, but a significant part of it is wrong and/or unclearly stated. If examples and/or details are asked for, there are no examples or details to support answers. There are numerous convention errors.
0 points: Project does not attempt to answer the questions/prompts at all.
*For example, if a project’s quality most closely fits that of the 70-point description due to the majority of its examples not being fully described, it may earn bonus points for having one example that is described exceedingly well.
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Journalist Column Response (4 required) Name:
Name of Journalist ______
Title of Column ______
Name of Newspaper ______Date column appeared ______
Thesis or main idea of column:
Supporting reasons, examples, facts, details:
1.
2.
3.
Defend, challenge, or qualify the writer’s thesis:
What is the tone of the article? How does the author convey this tone?
Label three rhetorical devices you find in the article. (Consider techniques that add to the effectiveness of the article).
Peachtree Academy 2017-2018 Quote Device
1.
2.
3.
Select five specific words to define and add to your vocabulary.
Word Definition
1. ______2. ______3. ______4. ______5. ______
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Visual Analysis Response (4 required)
Name______
Name of Artist ______
Title of Piece ______
Name of Source ______Date ______
Artist’s Topic:
Artist’s Stance on the Topic:
Supporting Evidence
1.
2.
3.
Defend, challenge, or qualify the artist’s stance:
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Select five specific techniques that the artist employs. For each technique, explain how this device impacts the viewer.
Technique Impact on the Viewer
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
What is the tone of the piece? How does the artist create this tone?