AP English Literature and Composition
Summer Reading Assignment – 2015
This summer reading and writing assignment is required for all students enrolled in AP English Literature. As you know,
this course will be taught at the college level and will offer you an opportunity to receive college credit. Therefore, I will
be expecting each of you to work hard and to consistently be prepared for class. Please try and put your best foot
forward with this assignment – you are setting the tone for the year to come! The assignments below are due on the
first day of class. If you do not complete the assignments, you will no longer be enrolled in this course.
Required Books
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How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
Both books will be provided to you by TRCS on the last day of school.
Part 1: Read the book How to Read Literature Like a Professor
It is important that you start with this book because you will need the information for the second part of the
assignment. As you are reading, take notes in your notebook on 3-5 key points from each chapter. You don’t need to
write a lot, just enough to help you remember the key information when you review your notes. Here’s an example of
what your notes might look like for the first chapter:
Chapter 1: Elements of a Quest
• A quester
• A place to go
• A stated reason to go there
• Challenges and trials
• The real reason to go – always self-knowledge
Your notebook will be checked on the first day of class as proof of effort, but you will also use your notes to support
further writing in class. Make sure it is comprehensive and useful for both purposes.
Part 2: Read The Poisonwood Bible.
As you read, take notes on the novel in your notebook. Your notes should focus on interesting quotations, important
moments, literary details, and most importantly, passages that bring to mind concepts discussed in How to Read
Literature Like a Professor. It may be helpful to purchase sticky notes to use as tabs to mark important sections in the
text. Refer to the attached handout “How to Annotate a Text” for some guidelines on note taking.
Part 3: Writing Assignment
Once you’ve finished reading and taking notes on both books, choose 1-3 principles from How to Read Literature Like a
Professor, and in a well-written essay (3-4 pages), explain how these central elements can be applied to Kingsolver’s
Poisonwood Bible. What does Kingsolver PROVE through 3 of these principles? You must have a strong thesis statement
and evidence to support it. Avoid plot summary and do not use outside sources for help. Test your own analytical skills
here. There is no right or wrong answer as long as you back up your thesis statement. Make sure to follow MLA
guidelines.
Sandra Fritz
June 2015
How to Annotate a Text: 12th Grade AP Handout
1. On a sticky note, mark the important plot events at the top of the page. Every page should not necessarily be
marked.
2. If there are any words on the page that you are unfamiliar with, look them up (or figure them out by context)
and note the definition in your notebook or on a sticky.
3. Note any conflicts that occur with the main character (protagonist), and summarize your ideas about these
conflicts (who/what is involved, attempts to resolve conflicts, etc)
4. Mark words and phrases the describe the personality of characters, noting your ideas about the characters
(personality, motivation, fears, dreams, etc)
5. Highlight any symbolism and note your ideas as to what abstract ideas or concepts these tangible objects may
represent.
6. Don’t note too much! If you make notes on everything, nothing will stand out.
7. Once you are completely finished the book, pick the three most important thematic statements that your book
addresses. Write those themes down and find supporting evidence from the text to support your ideas. Mark
those supporting passages with sticky notes. Some examples are:
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A just individual has obligations towards society
A just society has obligations that it owes to an individual
Individual freedom is limited by…
An individual can develop methods for judging right and wrong
… kind of government is effective
Society must contend with the dichotomies presented by freedom and equality
An individual can experience redemption through…
The accumulation of money and power leads to a loss of spirituality
Annotation is a key component of close reading. Since we will annotate texts all year, you will need to develop a system
that works for you. Effective note taking and annotating is both economical and consistent.
Close Reading. What should you annotate? The possibilities are limitless. Keep in mind the reason for annotating. Your
annotations must include comments. You need to show evidence of thinking.
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Have a conversation with the text. Talk back to it.
Ask questions (essential to active reading).
Comment on the actions or development of a character. Does the character change? Why? How? The result?
Comment on lines / quotations you think are especially significant, powerful, or meaningful.
Express agreement or disagreement.
Summarize key events. Make predictions.
Connect ideas to each other or to other texts.
Note if you experience an epiphany.
Note anything you would like to discuss or do not understand.
Note how the author uses language. Note the significance if you can:
o effects of word choice (diction) or sentence structure or type (syntax)
Sandra Fritz
June 2015
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point of view / effect
repetition of words, phrases, actions, events, patterns
narrative pace / time / order of sequence of events
irony
contrasts / contradictions / juxtapositions / shifts
allusions
any other figure of speech or literary device
reliability of narrator
motifs or cluster ideas
tone / mood
imagery
themes
setting / historical period
symbols
The most common complaint about annotating is that it slows down your reading. Yes, it does. That’s the point. If
annotating as you read annoys you, read the chapter first, and then go back and annotate.
Sandra Fritz
June 2015