AP Language and Composition/American Literature Summer Reading Mrs. Laura Biancalana What to do first: ● Read through EVERYTHING! Take your time, underline/annotate the instructions, formulate questions, and make a plan. Communicate your plan to your parents, friends, on Google Classroom, to someone who can help hold you accountable. ● Get signed in to the AP Language/American Literature Google Classroom -3lpzfc. All documents, reminders, and instructions will be posted here. ● Follow the AP Language/Am Lit twitter feed! #SummerReadRocks, #APLangNoProb. Twitter handle will be posted on Google Classroom.
Read: To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee ● One of my absolute favorites! Once you’ve finished, feel free to watch the film. It, too, is wonderful! Scout tells the story of her small Southern town. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot ● True story about the woman whose cells were used for gene mapping, cloning, developing the polio vaccine, and other advancements in medicine. A very real, often heartbreaking, read that explores what happened to Henrietta and the generations that followed. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare ● Ah….”To be or not to be….” A tragic hero who questions his existence, Hamlet seeks to avenge his father’s death. (Did I mention his father was the king, and his father was killed by his own brother who then married the late king’s wife? ) Advice? Find a good version and watch it first. Perhaps Kenneth Branagh (1996) or Benedict Cumberbatch (2015) if you can find it.
Study: Once you’ve read each, take a look back. What do you see in the structure of the writing? How did each author tell his/her story? What seems to be the author’s focus? Theme? Style?
Write: Prompt: In a cohesive and well-written essay, define “justice,” using appropriate evidence from your summer reading to support your argument. Be clear and precise in your definition, avoiding generalizations. MLA format required. Submit via Google Classroom.
Rhetorical Triangle
Writer - You Audience - faculty at Rosary High School Subject - What is justice?
Reflect: Write a short reflection on the following - What is your strength as a writer? What weaknesses do you have? Include specific concerns you may have about writing as well as instructional methods that have helped you with writing.
Due Dates: Summer Reading Test 8/23 Justice Essay submission 8/22 Reflection 8/22
Class Supplies: A 3 ring binder with 7 dividers Spiral notebook Post it notes blue/black ink pen Pencil Red pen Highlighters Please have class supplies on the first day of class!
One More Note -
As juniors, you will be reading stories, poems, and novels recommended by the College Board. These books have been chosen as the best examples of a time period, genre, and the use of rhetoric. Because each represents an individual’s perspective, there will likely be ideas, characters, and language that does not represent your views and your perspective. Jesus taught us how to accept and love others while staying true to our beliefs. We approach all reading through the lens of the Catholic church.
Questions: email [email protected]