May 2010
Dear APES:
Welcome to this year’s summer reading program. Our summer reading requirement is an important
feature of AP English Language and Composition, which serves to keep you actively reading and thinking
during the summer months and to prepare you for the transition to a college-level class. AP Language
emphasizes a mix of politics, history, social sciences, science, current events, and nonfiction prose. Our
class will be different from past English classes you have taken in that you will be asked to look more
closely at the power and beauty language possesses as well as to emulate specific writing styles in your
own compositions.
As an English IV class, you will also be required to complete the senior-year components of Kentucky’s
state high schools. You will take the on-demand section of the test in the fall, and you will complete the
career cruising program.
The remainder of this letter contains directions for your summer reading and writing assignments.
Please note that there are two sections to the summer reading.
1. The first section (you have 5 books to choose 1 from) has a required
assignment due by July 15.
2. For the second reading section, you must select a memoir (again 5 choices, read one). There
will be a test over this memoir on the Friday of the first week of classes. I would recommend
reading the memoir last and annotating or taking notes on it to help you review for a
test at the beginning of the school year.
Enjoy your summer and these great books. I’ll see you in August, refreshed and ready to go!
Mrs. Conley
3010 Dixie Highway
Dixie Heights High School
Edgewood, KY 41017
carol.conley@kenton.kyschools.us
1. Summer Reading Assignment: First Book Selection by Student—due July
15
Choose one book from the following list:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace... by Greg Mortenson
The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins
The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (This book is not available in paperback until the fall. If you choose
it, consider using the library or buying a used copy.)
Due Date: July 15. Papers should be e-mailed to me as an attachment in Rich Text
Format—not one long email. My email address is carol.conley@kenton.kyschool.us
Assignment:
Make a list of 6 important interpretive discussion questions about the book and answer each question in a
paragraph of 1/3 to ½ page each (single-spaced, typed). Two questions should cover the first
third of the book, 2 questions over the middle third, and 2 questions over the last third.
Examples:
Why does the character . . . ?
How does this event (or character etc.) change the course of the book or
change the author’s life?
Explain the quotation: “…”
Caution: Do not include any literal questions. Literal questions generally begin with “Who, what, when,
where.” The questions you select or the topics you address will most likely begin with the words “Why, how,
explain, describe, compare and contrast, analyze,” etc.
Please note that the questions you ask are just as important as how you
respond. Questions should reflect your active reading and understanding of
the entire literary work as well as the overall theme of the book.
Also because you are asking and answering interpretative questions, there
might be several possible correct answers or no specific answer. Your
interpretations are fine so long as you support your answers with specific
examples from the
Notes:
1.
2.
Single-space the entire assignment but double-space between questions. Please number all
questions and place them in bold type.
Proofread and edit the entire document before submitting it for grading.
3.
Hint: Make a list of possible questions (including page numbers) as you read the book. After
finishing the book, you should then select the best questions from your list.
Concluding Assignment
Write a one-paragraph critique of the book. What did you like and why? What
did you dislike and why? Did the book change you or change your way of
thinking? Explain. Critique the author’s writing style. When possible, give
specific examples to support your statements.
If you complete the question-response assignment as a group, each group
member must write his/her own critique, and all paragraphs of critique
should be included at the end of your questions. Please make sure each
student’s name is listed before his/her critique.
2. Summer Reading Assignment: Required Memoir
Students will take a test over this book on the first Friday back in class. Students should take notes or annotate
the book (on paper, on post-its, or by highlighting in the book) while reading in order to have something to review
before the test. Pay attention to important people and important events that had an impact on the author’s life.
Required Reading: Select one of the following.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
All Over But the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg
Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
Growing Up by Russell Baker
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley