English II-PreAP Summer Reading Assignment
2015-2016 Mrs. Wittneben
You may e-mail me if you have any questions this summer
pwittneben@lcisd.org
1. Student will demonstrate the ability to read independently and critically.
2. Student will demonstrate a commitment to the rigor of the Pre-AP program by completing the Summer
Reading Assignment.
3. The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of common literary devices.
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to follow directions and adhere to detail.
5. The annotations and written responses will provide a written record of reading done outside of class.
English II-Pre-AP Summer Reading: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Both the novel and autobiography must be read in their entirety. Study guides and Internet sources can be used
to aid the student’s comprehension, but they must not be used as the primary source of knowledge. You must
read the books! You will be expected to discuss the novels in class the second day of school. You will have a
comprehensive test over each of the novels within the first 2 weeks of school.
I will be placing an order for these books before the end of school, but they are also available at local
bookstores and online through sources such as Barnes and Nobel, Half Price Books, and Amazon.com. If
you foresee having any problem getting your books, please come see me in room B137 so that I can make
arrangements for you to get books. You need to do this before the end of school!
I hope you have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to having a wonderful year in
English II-PAP next year. Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, e-mail me during the summer.
Mrs. Wittneben
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Annotations for
A Separate Peace by John Knowles and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Annotate each book. Highlight, underline, use brackets, circle, and write in the margins of your books!
Write and highlight in your own book, use Sticky Notes if the book is not yours, or use notebook paper
to write your annotations. Be sure to record your page numbers for the sticky notes and notebook paper.
** Simply underlining and highlighting text does not constitute annotating. You must make marginal
notes to prove that you are interacting with the text, and your annotations will then provide a better
understanding of each book.
Your annotations will be graded for completeness and taken as a grade within the first week of school.
Each section is worth 20 points.
1. Main Idea – At the end of each chapter, write one sentence that summarizes the main idea for each
chapter. This will also help in plot development as you read.
2. Characters – As you read annotate passages for characterization of the main characters. Keep a list
of your characters inside the front cover of the book and identify at least three pages where
significant characteristics or quotes can be found that provide insight to that character. Be sure to
mark in the text margins and beside the passage - the first time the characters are introduced – their
physical descriptions – what they say, do, and think. Note any other characters that might provide
valid support to your characters. Annotate any subsequent text that provides noteworthy evidence
to support character development.
Characters for A Separate Peace
Phineas/Finny
Gene
Leper
Characters for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Ann Johnson
Bailey Johnson, Jr.
Vivian Baxter
Big Bailey Johnson
3. Setting – Annotate all passages that pertain to setting. The time and place of the story.
4. Vocabulary – Circle any vocabulary that is unfamiliar and place a synonym in the margin by the
passage.
5. Literary elements – Highlight or underline familiar devices used by the author that are used to make
the books more interesting or intriguing. Be sure to annotate in the margin what the device is and
what it reveals in reference to character, setting, or plot. Examples include: Similes, Metaphors,
Personification, Foreshadowing, Irony, and Imagery.
*See Annotations for quotes from both pieces of work on page 3
**See example of annotations for both books on page 4
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Example of Annotations for quotes from both pieces of work:
A Separate Peace
“I supposed that Quackenbush was studying me to see
If he could detect a limp. But I knew that his flat black
Eyes would never detect my trouble” (Knowles 77).
Analysis: Gene knows that Quackenbush likes to assert his authority
over those whom he feels inferior. Must be making up for something.
Gene’s limp is metaphorically within. Finny’s limp is real.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
“If growing up is painful for the Southern black girl,
Analysis: She feels the agony of being separated from her parents
being aware of her displacement is the rust on the
razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary
when sent to grandmother to raise. She never bonds with
anyone or anyplace, and segregation is like razor to the throat
insult”(Angelou 10).
because she feels like she is the “unnecessary insult”. She does
not belong. Cut out of society – effortless – like slice of a razor
** I would also mark this annotation for characterization of Quackenbush and Gene and use of literary device – metaphor.
***Also note that simply highlighting or underlining the text does not constitute annotating. YOU MUST make margin
notes.
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