Summer 2013
Dear AP Literature Students:
WELCOME TO OUR CLASS!
AP Literature and Composition is a wonderful class with a plethora of reading and no
shortage of fun.
Required Texts:
Rankin, Estelle and Barbara L. Murphy. 5 Steps to a 5: AP Literature. New York: McGraw
Hill. Print.
A College Level Dictionary and Thesaurus
Required Summer Reading:
How to Read Literature Like A Professor by Thomas C. Foster
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Native Son by Richard Wright
Recommended (Optional) Summer Reading: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Summer Assignments:
Note: These assignments, as a collective, are a considerable amount of work. It will not be
possible for you to wait until the end of summer break to begin working and still complete
the assignments thoroughly or effectively. Start now.
1. Read How to Read Literature Like A Professor, annotating the book thoroughly.
Complete the attached assignment.
2. Read each of the summer reading novels, annotating the novels thoroughly.
Complete the attached assignments.
A cautionary note: using Sparknotes as a substitute for reading is not acceptable nor
is it appropriate for an AP Level class. If that is your plan, you may want to
reconsider your decision to take this class.
Assignment Rationale: One of the most effective strategies for passing the AP exam
suggests that students should study four novels of differing genres in depth. This
will get you a head start (even further if you opt to read Catcher in the Rye as well). If
you prepare yourself well, you should find yourself able to use at least one of these
novels to answer the essay questions on test day.
3. Make flashcards for the attached list of essential AP literary terms and
prepare to study them throughout the school year.
The most successful students will not only learn to recite the definitions but will be
able to create and identify examples of each term.
Assignment Rationale: Many students struggle with the multiple-choice section of
the test simply because they do not understand the literary terms used in the
questions stems. Learning these terms will give you the best opportunity to answer
the questions. You can’t successfully answer questions if you do not know what they
are asking.
4. Get your hands on a copy of 5 Steps to a Five.
Don’t wait. We will begin using this book immediately upon your return. I
recommend the most recent edition, which can be purchased at a bookstore or
ordered online for under $20.00. If you can get a copy recycled by a former AP
student, that is fine as long as they have not written on the activities or tests.
The AP English Literature & Composition Exam is scheduled for Thursday May 8 , 2014 at 8:00 am