AP Literature and Composition
Summer Reading Assignment 2015
North Iredell High School
Stephanie Heintz Wood
I.
Readings
Because the AP test requires knowledge of a wide selection of novels and
plays, we will only be allotting the first week to review before beginning to
add new works to our repertoires. The titles below—except for one or two—
are works that should have been read in sophomore or junior English. You
need to review the novels/plays well enough to complete the assignments
below; and/or, if you have not read some of the works before, you will need
to read these thoroughly. However, rereading of all of these is
recommended.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
II.
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Medea by Euripides
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Assignments
**ABSOLUTELY NO CLIFFS/SPARKS/BARRON/MONARCH/MONKEY NOTES
(OR SIMILAR), FILM VERSIONS, AND/OR INTERNET SOURCES WILL BE
ACCEPTABLE FOR ANY AP ASSIGNMENT—now or during the year.**
1. Purchase 4 x 6 note cards (SPIRALBOUND). Then, for each novel above,
use approximately six to ten cards—some use more (front and back count
as one—to note key information from the text (see below). We will add
to these throughout the course, so this is a must!
Information on each work must include: main character(s) with
SPECIFIC descriptions, basic plot line (including exposition, rising action
with the conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution—review plot if
necessary and be sure these are detailed), main themes that the novel
presents, and at least three key quotes from the novel. The quotes
should be reflective of important events or themes, and you should find
the “essence” of each quote—they should be short enough that you could
commit them to memory.
2. After reading each work, and completing the first assignment, select
TWO of the works and complete an assignment from the list below.
Hint: You many NOT use the same assignment for each novel.
Choice #1—Using books of proverbs and/or quotations, find six that you
think reflect the theme of one of works on your summer reading list.
Annotate your choices by writing a paragraph (seven to ten sentences),
explaining how each of the quotes relates to the theme. Be complete yet
concise.
Choice #2—Identify a major theme from one of the works you read.
Find at least two poems that, in some way, deal with the same theme.
Photocopy or type the poems and include them along with a paragraph or
two explaining why you think each poem’s treatment of the theme is
similar to that found in the novel or work. Hint: Use textual evidence
from the poem that directly relates to the novel theme and explain the
connection.
Choice #3—Make two time lines. The first should describe six setting
shifts from one of the works. The second should chronicle one
character's changes as the story progresses. Be concise and precise.
3. We will be doing class presentations on all five works during the first
week of school, so be prepared to share what you know—you could be
assigned any of the five.
III. Important Information
ALL AP students must complete ALL work prior to returning to school in
August. Students will be tested on their summer reading assignments within the
first three days of school. If a parent/guardian has ANY questions about the
requirements for AP Literature, please do not hesitate to call me at NIHS prior to
June 12th, or email anytime: stephaniewood@iss.k12.nc.us. Students may check out
paperbacks with me to complete these assignments BEFORE the end of the 20142015 school year. Otherwise, they will be responsible for their own copies.
Hint: Medea, The Great Gatsby, and The Scarlet Letter can also be found
online. Project Gutenberg allows you to read on computer or Kindle. Les Mis is also
on Project Gutenberg but it is NOT the abridged version—I wouldn’t suggest this
1500 page read.