AP Language and Composition
Summer Reading Assignments
Dear Student:
Welcome to AP Language and Composition. We have an exciting and challenging year
planned for you, and it all starts with summer reading. For your summer reading
assignment, you must complete three assignments. Please come to the first day of
school with your assignment. Your English teacher will collect your finished product at
that time.
Texts:
Grade 9: Incident in the Lives of a Slave Girl by: Harriet Jacobs
Grade 10: Freakonomics by: Steven D. Levitt
Grade 11: The Tipping Point by: Malcolm Gladwell
Grade 12: Nickel and Dimed by: Barbara Ehrenreich
Required Assignments:
1. Read the book provided for your grade level and complete a dialectical journal. Remember,
this journal is the only way for your teacher to judge your understanding of the reading. Be
sure your responses show quality work. Refer to the dialectical journal handout for
requirements.
2. Choose one of the additional activities that follow the dialectical journal directions. Have fun
with this activity and be creative.
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Assignment #1: Non-Fiction DIALECTICAL JOURNALS
Directions:
Please type/handwrite this journal using the same format shown here. Simply construct a two column
table. You may either use notebook paper or the computer to construct your journal. If constructing
on the computer, use Arial or Times New Roman, 12-point font, single spaced (this document is typed
in TNR 12). Each of your 15 response entries should be a minimum of 25-50 words. You may
choose from the responses below. Of the 15 entries, you must have at least 3 entries that relate to
the theme of the text and 2 that connect to the author’s purpose.
The term “Dialectic” means “the art or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving
question and answer.” Think of your dialectical journal as a series of conversations with the texts we
read during this course. The process is meant to help you develop a better understanding of the texts
we read. Use your journal to incorporate your personal responses to the texts, your ideas about the
themes we cover and our class discussions. You will find that it is a useful way to process what you’re
reading, prepare yourself for group discussion, and gather textual evidence for your Literary Analysis
assignments.
PROCEDURE:
o As you read, choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column of
a T-chart (ALWAYS include page numbers).
o In the right column, write your response to the text (ideas/insights, questions, reflections, and
comments on each passage)
o Label your responses using the following codes:
o (Q) Question – ask about something in the passage that is unclear
o (C) Connect – make a connection to your life, the world, or another text
o (P) Predict – anticipate what will occur based on what’s in the passage
o (CL) Clarify – answer earlier questions or confirm/disaffirm a prediction
o (R) Reflect – think deeply about what the passage means in a broad sense – not just to
the characters in the story. What conclusions can you draw about the world, about
human nature, or just the way things work?
o (E) Evaluate - make a judgment about the character(s), their actions, or what the author
is trying to say
o (AP) Author’s Purpose- the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic
o (T) Theme- main idea of a text. This may be expressed directly or indirectly.
Sample Dialectical Journal entry: THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O’Brien
Passages from the text
Comments & Questions
“-they carried like freight trains;
they carried it on their backs and
shoulders-and
for
all
the
ambiguities of Vietnam, all the
mysteries and unknowns, there was
at least the single abiding certainty
that they would never be at a loss
for things to carry”(2).
(R) O’Brien chooses to end the first section of the novel with this
sentence. He provides excellent visual details of what each solider
in Vietnam would carry for day-to-day fighting. He makes you feel
the physical weight of what soldiers have to carry for simple
survival. When you combine the emotional weight of loved ones at
home, the fear of death, and the responsibility for the men you fight
with, with this physical weight, you start to understand what soldiers
in Vietnam dealt with every day. This quote sums up the confusion
that the men felt about the reasons they were fighting the war, and
how they clung to the only certainty - things they had to carry - in a
confusing world where normal rules were suspended.
*the ‘(2)’ above is the page
number
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CHOOSING PASSAGES FROM THE TEXT:
Look for quotes that seem significant, powerful, thought provoking or puzzling. For example, you
might record:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Effective &/or creative use of stylistic or literary devices
Passages that remind you of your own life or something you’ve seen before
Structural shifts or turns in the plot
A passage that makes you realize something you hadn’t seen before
Examples of patterns: recurring images, ideas, colors, symbols or motifs.
Passages with confusing language or unfamiliar vocabulary
Events you find surprising or confusing
Passages that illustrate a particular character or setting
RESPONDING TO THE TEXT:
You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your
observations should be specific and detailed. The dialectical journal is a written conversation between
you and the book—make sure you hold up your end! Remember that this journal must demonstrate
that you have carefully read and understood this book. DO NOT simply summarize; you must analyze
and evaluate.
Basic Responses
o Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
o Give your personal reactions to the passage
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences
o Write about what it makes you think or feel
o Agree or disagree with a character or the author
Sample Sentence Starters:
I really don’t understand this because…
I really dislike/like this idea because…
I think the author is trying to say that…
This passage reminds me of a time in my life when…
If I were (name of character) at this point I would…
This part doesn’t make sense because…
This character reminds me of (name of person) because…
Higher Level Responses
o Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)
o Make connections between different characters or events in the text
o Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)
o Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
o Consider an event or description from the perspective of a different character
o Analyze a passage and its relationship to the story as a whole
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Assignment #2: Choose ONE of the following additional assignments:
BOOK COVER



HISTORICAL FICTION

Using the topic of your book, create a book
cover.
The cover must include a unique selection and
exploration of information presented in the
text such as pictures, biographical profiles,
textual evidence, suggestions, and anything
else you think may appeal to future readers.
Writing Component: On the back of the
cover, include at least a paragraph that
explains why you selected the images and
information for your cover. Be sure to provide
examples from the text to support your
reasons.


ANSWERING MACHINE

BIO TIMELINE

Write a script for an outgoing message for a
person of interest from the non-fiction text.
Then, write a script for 3-5 incoming
messages from characters in the same story or
other stories. If possible, record your outgoing
and incoming messages on an iPod voice
recorder or other MP3 recording device.
Make sure to provide textual evidence in your
recordings.
WHO AM I RIDDLE


Write a piece of historical fiction by taking on
the persona of one of the people you read
about in the text.
Include historically accurate details and focus
on a specific event (Write in first person point
of view)
Writing Component: Your written piece
should be a minimum of 2 pages with a
concluding paragraph that focuses on the
overall point of view as the person.
Create a timeline that denotes at least 15
events that occur within the text. Your events
should include aspects from the beginning,
middle, and end of the book. Use textual
evidence to support your events on the
timeline.
PREZI


Create a list of 10-15 riddle facts that would
describe a significant person from the text.
Include an answer key with your facts.
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Create a presentation using Prezi.com
Highlight the main points of your book and be
sure to include people, events, places,
powerful excerpts, and anything else you
think will showcase the text.
RAP/ SONG


SYMBOLIC OBJECT SEARCH

Write and/or record a rap or song about an
idea/topic from the non-fiction text. You may
want to use a familiar tune for the foundation
of your rap/ song.
Writing Component: Write at least one
paragraph that describes why you chose to
record the lyrics. Include evidence from the
text to support your response.


CAST A MOVIE



Search within the text to find 8-10 concrete
objects that have symbolic value in regards to
the text. Try to focus on people, events,
outcomes, or information for everyday life.
Place the objects in some type of container
(ex: shoe box, plastic cube, attached to a
poster board, etc.)
Writing Component: Write a brief response
(4-6 lines) that explains the symbolic value of
each object and how it relates to the text.
Include textual evidence to support your
explanation.
SOUND TRACK

Imagine you are a Hollywood director and
you are casting actors to play one of the
significant people from your text.
Create a list of the actors/ actresses for each
role. Be creative and include pictures or
images that depict the actor/ actress.
Writing Component: Include a brief
description (4-5 sentences) which describes
why you chose that actor/actress to play the
role of the person from the book. Include at
least one quote from the text that reflects why
the actor/actress would be perfect for the role.

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Create a file of songs that reflect the overall
meaning of the text. Select at least 6 songs
that represent the text as a whole. You may
put these songs on a CD, iPod file, or simply
write the songs down on a piece of paper.
Writing Component: Include a paragraph
(6-8 sentences) that explains how the song
represents particular events, people, places, or
the text as a whole. To support your
explanation, include at least one quote from
the text.
AP Summer Reading Assignment #3: The College Game
Scenario: You are a college recruiter who is making a series of presentations to groups of high school
students in an attempt to get them to apply to your college.
The Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Visit collegeboard.org
Click on “College Search: on the top toolbar
Research and select the college of your choice
Create a PowerPoint, or alternative multimedia presentation (Prezi, Glogster etc.), that includes the
following:
 Title of College
 College Seal
 Basic details: location, size, distinguishing traits (e.g. religious affiliation)
 Admission Policy: number of applicants, number accepted, admission testing requirements,
GPA average, SAT/ACT range
 AP Policy: credit, no credit, minimum score, etc
 Costs: tuition, percentage of financial aid, etc
 Durfee: mention any Durfee grads who go there or who have gone there
 Other: be creative. “Sell your school”
 Style: Be creative with your design
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