2015 Summer Reading
English II Pre-AP/IBDP (Year 5 IB MYP)
Dear Soon-To-Be Sophomore,
As of this writing, the 14/15 school year has not yet ended and already we are looking forward to meeting
and getting to know all of you. Certainly, next year holds many rewarding and worthwhile experiences.
We have assembled a summer reading assignment which will, hopefully, ensure that you continue to read
and think literarily throughout the summer. The sophomore summer reading assignment marks the beginning of
your journey in reading as a writer.
This summer reading assignment is required of every student enrolled in this course, and no student may
drop from the course simply because he/she has not completed the summer reading. Moreover, failure to do these
assignments will indeed negatively affect your grade.
REQUIRED READING 1: “How to Mark a Book” (Essay) by Mortimer Adler (on Ms Sharp’s Website)
The following essay provides a brief, non-academic introduction to the nature and value of annotation. Written in
1940, the wording and references are somewhat dated, but the ideas are quite relevant. We suggest you read this
article before reading the required summer reading. Our hope is that you will begin to understand the importance of
“marking” a text. It is our personal belief that in order for you to grow as a critical thinker, you must take ownership
of your thinking. The best way to begin to do that is to write your thoughts directly on the text.
REQUIRED READING 2: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (No E-Books or used copies)
 Following your reading of “How to Mark a Book”, you will READ and ANNOTATE the novella, Of Mice
and Men. You must actively read and annotate this text, applying the skills and strategies learned from your
reading of “How to Mark a Book”. Annotate for the following literary elements: characterization,
symbolism, conflict, and theme.
 In addition to your annotations, you will identify 2-3 connected passages of significance, and create a visual
of reasonable size, 3D or one-dimensional, that reflects your understanding of the passages. Be creative!
o Ideas include but are not limited to:
 3D model of a significant setting or scene
 Drawing of your interpretation of a/the conflict(s)
 Visuals of a major character that reveals a significant characteristic(s)
 A collage of magazine cutouts that reflect a major theme
 REMEMBER, your visual must directly connect to the passages you select.
At the very least, your visual will need to be on an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of unlined notebook paper. Use color and
shapes.
ANNOTATIONS: Of Mice and Men
As you read Of Mice and Men, you are REQUIRED to annotate the text (refer to Annotation Tips below).
Pay close attention to themes characterization, symbolism, conflict, and theme:
 Theme: The story's ideas? Author's attitude towards those ideas? Author's "statement" about those ideas? The
story's message or main point? Your attitude?
 Conflict: What people/forces/ideas/interests/values/institutions oppose each other? What decisions must the
characters make? Between what two things is he/she deciding? What do these things represent?
 Characterization: What kind of person/people are the character(s)? Their beliefs/hopes/dreams/ideals/
values/morals/fears/strengths/weaknesses/vices/virtues/talents? How do they conduct themselves? What do they
say and do to reveal themselves? What do others say and do about them? What are your opinions or feelings
about them? Classifications of types of characters include: protagonist, antagonist, foil, stereotype, flat, round,
static, dynamic.
 Symbolism: What concrete, specific objects have been used to represent abstract ideas? What colors, names,
settings, recurring objects have been referred to? What ideas do these represent?
Annotation Tips for Fiction
 Make brief notes at the top of the page or on a sticky note to mark important plot events.
 Circle or highlight words that are unfamiliar or unusual. Try to figure out what the words mean through the way they are
used; supplement your guesses by consulting a dictionary.
 When new characters are introduced, highlight phrases that describe them. (Try not to highlight whole sentences).
 Highlight words, images, and details that seem to form a pattern throughout the text AND Highlight passages you think
might be symbolic.
 When you get an idea while reading the text, note it in brief form in the margin. You may never think of this idea again
unless you write it down.
 If you have a question about something in the text, write it on the page when it first occurred to you.
 Don’t mark too much. If you mark everything, nothing will stand out. Use your own words--don’t try to be
fancy. Remember, your annotations are for you!
On the second day of class, you will need to bring the following items:
1. Of Mice and Men - annotated
2. Visual of significant passages with the significant passages on a note card. Include an appropriate
parenthetical citation. (I will review and discuss this on the first day of school)
During your second week in Pre-AP/MYP English II, you will take an objective assessment over Of Mice
and Men, and Adler’s “How to Mark a Book”, and during the third week of school, you will write an analytical
response to the passages you selected.
If you have questions, concerns, comments, or just want to write to say hello, please feel free to email Miss
Sharp at asharp3@dentonisd.org or Mr. Herrmann at cherrmann@dentonisd.org We will also update our school
web pages this summer, so feel free to look in for updates and information.
Until then, we wish you a safe, happy, and productive summer break!
All the best,
Ashly Sharp
English II Pre-AP & MYP
Denton High School
Asharp3@dentonisd.org
940.369.2171