Senior English Summer Reading List 2015
A Literary and Creative Journey: The Short Story, The Long Novel, Drama, and Poetry
Dear Seniors,
This year in English we will explore four different literary genres: the short story, the long
novel, drama, and poetry. Each quarter, we will delve into a new form which will keep your
year of reading fresh and alive! We will think, discuss, write creatively, and learn to
appreciate reading even more. I promise you a year full of interesting and life-changing
literature!
Over the summer, please read the following texts. All are available to read online except the
drama and the novel. For those two, you can either purchase print copies or download them onto
an e-reader.
Complete each of the assignments and be prepared to submit them to me by the first day of class.
Short Stories:
1) "The Dead" - James Joyce
2) "In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson is Buried" - Amy Hempel
Poetry:
1) "Song of Myself" - Walt Whitman (All 52 sections!)
2) "Diving into the Wreck" - Adrienne Rich
Drama:
The Childrens' Hour - Lillian Hellman (This must be purchased)
Novel:
East of Eden - John Steinbeck
Part I – One Word….
There is always meaning to be found at the center of when it comes to understanding a work of
literature. When we are asked to describe what a particular text is about, we often struggle to find
the exact words to describe it, right? Imagine that we could only choose a ONE word response.
What would that be like? What would the heart of a text look like after we peeled away
everything that surrounded it?
Choose one of the two short stories and reduce its meaning down to ONE WORD. Explain why
you chose that word in a reflective response of 4-5 paragraphs.
The following assignment must be typed in a 12 point font, Times New Roman format, and
double-spaced. Make sure the ink is black. Leave the margins as they are when you type in
Word. Include this formal heading at the top of your first page in the left hand column:
Your name
Summer Assignment
September, 2015
Ms. Kane
Part II – Whitman or Rich?
The two poems on this list are two of the most widely read poems in the modern canon. Choose
one of them as the inspirational model to craft your own poem in a similar style. In order to
complete this assignment correctly, you first need to understand why the style of writing
contributes to the meaning. Which one speaks to you more? This assignment does not require
you to write a poem as long as “Song or Myself” or as linguistically complicated as “Diving into
the Wreck!” It’s asking you to tap into the essence of the poem and use that to write your own.
There is no line MAXIMUM to your poem, but you must have a MINIMUM of ten lines. I do
hope, though, that you write more.
Follow the same formatting guidelines as you did for the previous assignment.
Part III – Drama or Novel
Write a well-crafted, thought-provoking, insightful essay on either The Children’s Hour or East
of Eden. I am leaving this open-ended. You can focus on a theme, a character, a relationship, or
any other literary devices or elements you feel are noteworthy. This essay should be analytical
and formal in style.
They must be a minimum of 2-3 pages.
Follow the same formatting guidelines as you did for the previous two assignments.
STAPLE ALL OF YOUR PAGES TOGETHER.
ENJOY THE SUMMER AND HAPPY READING!!!!