WELCOME TO ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LIT & COMP
CLASS OF 2012!
I am so excited that you will be taking AP Lit. & Comp. in the fall. I have over 15 years of
experience teaching AP Lit as well as experience scoring AP Essays for College Board. I know it
will be a wonderful year!
The summer reading assignment is for only 1 book, with 3 more outside readings to follow
throughout the year as well as an essay due at the beginning of school. Each book has a window
of time in which we will test your reading and discuss the content. Realize that if you postpone
the other reading until school begins, you will be reading these books on top of the assignments
being made in class at that time. You will only be tested over the first one at the beginning of
school; however, it would be to your advantage to read as much as possible before class begins.
We will have at least 3 activities on each book: (1) a test of general facts and knowledge (2) a
discussion of ideas, and (3) essay(s) of personal analysis of the novel.
You will also have 1 book chosen from a list each semester to be read for book seminar. We will
go over seminar, as well as the book selections at the beginning of school.
I will also ask that you join the AP Lit & Comp class on NiceNet.org (be sure to include your
email address when you join.)
The instructions for joining are attached as well as the rubric and guidelines for the discussion
board. If you have not used NiceNet in another class, it is an educational discussion board we
will be using during the summer for discussions over the readings. This site can be an excellent
resource for questions over the readings as well as a place to share your ideas and analysis. It
also provides an excellent way for me to communicate with you throughout the summer and
share study guides, helpful hints, etc. When school begins we will also be using Blackboard, a
more comprehensive site.
You will find in this packet, a few other handouts that may be helpful for you as you begin
reading your novels. Following these suggestions may save you time during the school year and
raise your grades to meet your expectations. Any handouts and suggestions you were given as
underclassmen can also be helpful and effective tools for studying a novel.
The books and approximate times in which they will be discussed: (specific dates TBA)
1. THE POISONWOOD BIBLE
Reading Check: 2nd week of school
Barbara Kingsolver
2. HEART OF DARKNESS
Reading Check: 2nd 6 weeks
Joseph Conrad
3. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Reading Check: 3rd 6 weeks
Fyodor Dostoevsky
4. INVISIBLE MAN
Reading Check 4th 6 weeks
Ralph Ellison
*I realize that many of you have read Crime and Punishment your sophomore year, but
this novel is an excellent resource for the AP Essays and we will be rereading it this year.
Having previously read it should lighten your reading a little for that 6 weeks!
During the second semester I may ask you to also read the play: Rosencrantz And Guildenstern
(Stoppard) following Hamlet. We will be reading many other plays 2nd semester, but you
should have plenty of time to get those read in the spring. Always, any reading assignments
after these assigned novels will be chosen for a specific purpose and with your input.
You may buy new or used books so you can mark them with highlighters or pencils. I am giving
this list to Hastings in Waxahachie and Barnes and Noble in Cedar Hill, so they should have
copies on hand. If possible, I would strongly suggest going to Half-Price Book or buying used off
of Amazon, especially for Poisonwood Bible and Invisible Man! If there is a problem with
purchasing the books, let me know as soon as possible. I have a few copies of Poisonwood Bible
to buy as well as a few that can be borrowed. I have 20 copies of Invisible Man that you may
borrow; however, it is to your benefit to purchase your own copy. I expect to see books
highlighted and extensive marginal notes. When I finish reading a book, I go back and organize
my notes on paper so I can get a good overall picture of the novel as well as ideas for essays, OR
I write information & page numbers on post-it notes to mark pages and then transfer the post-its
to paper for notes. If you are not using your own copy of a book, this would be the best method
to adopt.
Neither Cliff(!) nor movies are exactly like the book. Books on tape cannot substitute for the
reading of the novel. All of these are only TOOLS to help you understand the book as you read it
or after you finish it. I use these helps, as well as many others, (try to avoid Spark Notes; I have
found many errors in their notes) but I will be re-reading all novels this summer to make new
observations and new questions! THEREFORE, I EXPECT YOU TO READ EACH BOOK
COMPLETLEY.
As Excited as I am to meet all of you in August, If you do not intend to read these assignments,
choose a different course NOW so that you can keep your INTEGRITY as a sincere student.
Students who pretend they have read the books will miss the opportunity to grow, make low
grades, and lose the respect of their peers and teachers.
If you have ANY questions or problems, feel free to call me at home (972) 935-9286 or call or
text me on my cell phone (214) 202-3417. My email addresses are
lorilyn_worley@midlothian-isd.net or lorilynw@sbcglobal.net (I suggest sending to both emails
to be safe).
Other communications throughout the summer will be sent via NiceNet so be sure to include
your email when you sign up, and check that email regularly. Handouts are also posted on my
website http://www.midlothian-isd.net/~lorilyn_worley/
Under AP Lit and Comp Handouts and Notes.
I look forward to seeing you in what I hope will be an unforgettable year!
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Mrs. Lorilyn Worley
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE
SUMMER READING GUIDE FOR AP LIT & COMP
1.
The Poisonwood Bible makes extensive use of allusions, especially Biblical allusions. As an educated
reader of literature, you should be able to not only recognize allusions, but also be able to explain how
the allusion is being used. Read the following chapters/verses (ideally in King James Version)
 Psalms 23, 66, 100, 121, and 137,
 Genesis 1-3, 4:1-16, 6-9, 11:1-9, 12:1-9, 13, 16-19, 21, 22:1-19
 Exodus 1-14, 19, 20:1-21,
 Ruth 1-4,
 Job 1-4, 38-42,
 Matthew 1-3, 4:1-11, 5-7, 13, 15:29-39, 26-28,
 Revelation 21-22
If you do not have a Bible to use as a resource, http://www.biblegateway.com has free downloadable
versions. (The first number is the chapter number; the number after the colon is the verse number.
So “Genesis 1-4:16” means read all of chapters 1 through 3 and also verses 1-16 of chapter 4.)
2.
Annotate your copy of The Poisonwood Bible thoroughly as you read (obviously, you should own
your own copy of the novel). Use Post-its if you are using a borrowed copy. Suggestions for things you
should be annotating and responding to in your text:
 Which characters you identify with and why.
 Kingsolver’s uses allusions, Biblical and others.
 Words that are new to you – define.
 How Kingsolver uses symbols and motifs.
 How Kingsolver uses literary devices.
 Character descriptions – how does Kingsolver portray them?
 Themes and patterns that become evident to you.
 Passages that interest you, anger you, make you laugh, et cetera.
 Connections you make to your life or to other works of art.
 General comments.
 Questions you have.
 Absolutely anything else that occurs to you!
3
Ponder and be prepared to discuss the following from The Poisonwood Bible:

The significance of setting (time, place, et cetera)

The idea of perspective and point of view
 The difference between telling one’s story as it unfolds and telling it from memory
 Allegory and the symbolic roles of characters
 The role of the US in the politics of Congo
 What do you find difficult or appealing about Kingsolver’s technique?
 How does it connect to other works of literature you’ve read?
 And the all important question: The larger message/meaning of the novel – what do you
think Kingsolver wants us to understand?
4.
Summer Reading Essay –
In a 2-3 page typed paper (MLA format, 12pts. Times New Roman, double-spaced), respond to
the following prompt:
In a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life “is a search for justice.”
Choose a character from Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible who responds in some significant
way to justice or injustice. Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the character’s
understanding of justice, the degree to which the character’s search for justice is successful, and the
significance of this search for the work as a whole.
HINTS TO THE WISE STUDENT
1. Try not to read Cliff Notes until you get bogged down; however, it will be helpful to Xerox
from Cliff a list of the characters in CRIME AND PUNISHMENT and attach it to your book for
a quick reference BEFORE you start reading it. Cliff and books on tape cannot substitute for
reading the book.
2. These books have been assigned in this order because they build on each other by using
themes and characters so common in life and literature today.
A. THE POISONWOOD BIBLE is a novel about the women of a family of missionaries in
Africa. The story is told by each of the different women from their perspectives at the
time. Characterization and Perspective then, are clearly important elements to consider.
The chapters are chronological, but told from different members of the family. Keep up
with your notes as you read and identify elements of each character as you hear the
experiences told from their unique perspective.
B. HEART OF DARKNESS is just that – a man looking into the darkness of the heart of another
man lost in the darkness of a jungle, and then seeing the potential darkness in all society,
even in himself. This is a very short novel but may be read twice to get the full meaning.
INVISIBLE MAN frequently refers to a “heart of darkness.” Watch for the reference when
you read IM.
C. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT: You must understand the confusion and frustration of the
hero in C&P as he seeks to prove his theory that his crime is NOT a crime, but the hope
and salvation of all mankind. Then he seeks to find himself and his own salvation
through his suffering as he watches those he loves suffer also. Remember the
assassinations of J.F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. , as you read this book.
D. INVISIBLE MAN is the narrator’s examination of a society that will not accept all people as
individuals but passes them by as “invisible” or as a nonentity to be exploited for the
benefit or self-aggrandizement of the self-chosen few. This is especially true of the
white/black relationships in the book but not of them alone. The author is African
American.
3. TAKE NOTES
A. Take notes in some organized manner. Find or create a style that works for you! Many
previous students have found success using the Cornell system(*attached handout) so you
can find information easily in class discussions and/or post-it notes as I have suggested on
the previous page.
B. ALWAYS note page numbers.
C. Underline/highlight your book…BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, put in the margin what is in
the passage so you won’t have to re-read the whole thing to see why you marked it. Go
back and put these notes on paper.
D. Write specific questions about content/fact, ideas, etc. you see in the book.
E. Write notes so that you can organize them. You may organize notes (1) by chapters
(2)by each character and his/her development, (3)by incidents/events, (4)by quotations
or (5)by symbols – a symbol is a thing, act, idea, place –whatever—that recurs frequently.
****YOU WILL USE ONLY YOUR NOTES ON CERTAIN IN-CLASS TESTS AND ESSAYS so be sure
to have good notes on paper and not just in your book.
READ!
RE- READ! HIGHLIGHT! REMEMBER!
AP LIT & COMP
Online Discussion Forum Directions
(NiceNet)
A discussion forum is intended as a place for us to continue and deepen class discussions,
and to address new questions that we are not able to spend time with in class. We will
begin the year with a class site on www.nicenet.org, with the following expectations in
place.
*Note - the instructor reserves the right to alter these expectations as needed.
 To set up your account:
o Go online to www.nicenet.org.
o Click on “Join a Class.”
 Class Name: AP Lit & Comp Your Class Key: _P238804AZ0
o Set up an account name and password. Please give an accurate and current
email account as well. Class updates will be sent via email through Nicenet as
well as posted on the class site. (if you already have an account you will log in to
that account, and click on the “join” link under Classes on the left menu bar and
then follow the above instructions)
o You are now ready to log in and participate! *Please go to “Edit User Profile” and
select “yes” to “receive a copy of personal messages via email.” This will allow for
me to easily email updates and changes to the class as a whole if needed.
 We will use the following tools:
o “Class Schedule” - This should be the first place you look! It will have an
overview for the week.
o “Conferencing”- This is where topics will be posted directly for discussion. You
will respond to questions and to each other’s postings. This section will be where
you will do most of your communication.
o The topics will already be listed
o When you want to post a message, you need to go to the start of the topic and click Post
Message to ... Then enter the Subject and Message Text; end and save with Post
Message to add the item).
o You will be able to edit it afterwards if you want to.
o To respond to a message previously posted, use the Reply option. Don’t post a new
message if you are just answering someone else’s question or commenting on their
post.
o Test Review Sessions will also be in the conferencing section
o If you are absent, or want a printed copy of any of the topic postings, use “Print View”
o “Assignments”- Assignments will often be posted on nicenet.org. You will be
expected to submit those assignments to nicenet, using cut and paste or by simply
typing the response/assignment on nicenet.
o “Link Sharing”- I will post important links here for you to review and discuss.
You may also post related and appropriate sites as well as they relate to the
units.
o “Documents”- articles, essays and other information.
o “Private Messages” – This tool is the e-mail facility. Updates and other changes
or important announcements may be sent via email as well as being posted in
class assignments section.
You SHOULD NOT expect that questions or comments will receive an immediate
response or that each comment/question will be answered individually.
Depending on the volume of postings I will read all postings within a day or two
and post responses that may cover a number of queries/comments.
 Discussion forum expectations:
o You will be expected to post at least once every two weeks, with the “week”
beginning on Monday after class and ending Sunday at midnight. There will be
an expected four posts (quiz grades) per grading period.
o All postings must be respectful in tone and content. It is an academic forum,
and academic decorum should be maintained at all times. Educational
discussion forums require are more professional tone than chat rooms, blogs, or
Instant Messaging. Spell words out COMPLETELY! Write clearly and in
complete sentences with appropriate grammar and language. Disagree with
ideas, not people. Never make a personal comment or deride the person in any
way. Respectful disagreements can create a stimulating exchange of ideas, but
personal comments and attacks anger or embarrass people. NO
DISRPESCTFUL OR INAPPROPRIATE POSTINGS WILL BE ALLOWED,
AND WILL RESULT IN ALL COMPUTER PRIVELEDGES BEING
REVOKED FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR.
o During a regular two-week period you will be asked to focus on specified topics in
the “Conferencing” section. You may propose additional topics that will be added
after instructor review. By the end of the year hopefully, many of the topics will
be student generated.
o To fulfill the basic requirement, you must contribute at least two thoughtful
responses to the discussion. Credit will not be given to posts that merely reiterate
the ideas of others, although building on the work of classmates is encouraged.
Postings should further and enhance the discussion. Please see the attached
grading rubric.
A+

The postings meet or exceed all requirements for timeliness and length.
A

The postings are clear. They use proper grammar and an academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author demonstrates that he or she has made an effort to understand assigned
sources (readings, movies, websites, etc.) associated with the topic. Appropriate
examples are used to clarify points.

The postings add depth and original thinking to the discussion. They may build on or
synthesize ideas posted by others. It is clear that the author has read previous
postings on the topic.

The author shows a sophisticated understanding of the question/topic and
demonstrates a willingness to engage with major ideas and concepts.
B+

The postings meet majority of requirements for timeliness and length.
B

The postings are generally well written. They generally use proper grammar and an
academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author has made some effort to understand assigned sources (readings, movies,
websites, etc.) associated with the topic. Examples are used to clarify points.

The postings add some value to the discussion. They may build on or synthesize
ideas posted by others. It is clear that the author has read previous postings on the
topic.

The author shows a broad understanding of the question/topic.
C+

The postings do NOT meet all requirements for timeliness and length.
C

The postings may be poorly written or unclear. They do not use proper grammar or
an academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author has made minimal effort to understand assigned sources (readings,
movies, websites, etc.) associated with the topic.

The postings do not add significantly to the discussion. They may simply reiterate
ideas posted by others, or they may ignore previous posts.

The author shows minimal understanding of the question/topic.

The postings do NOT meet requirements for timeliness and length.

The postings are VERY poorly written or unclear. They do not use proper grammar
or an academic tone.

The postings may be disrespectful towards the topic or other participants in the
discussion. Note that any posting that is disrespectful will automatically fit
in this category, regardless of its other qualities.

The author has made no effort to understand assigned sources (readings, movies,
websites, etc.) associated with the topic.

The postings do not add to the discussion in any significant way.

The author shows little or no understanding of the question/topic
Below C