Summer 2014
AP English Literature & Composition
Walker, B.
Required Summer Reading List
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“How to Mark a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler (attached)
How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between
the Lines by Thomas C. Foster (March 11, 2014 edition)
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
“Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway
Summer Reading & Writing Assignments
1. Read “How to Mark a Book” (attached) by Mortimer J. Adler.
a. Formally, we call “marking a book” annotation. Yet, marking a book is rather personal
and unique to your as an individual. It is important that you create a system that works
well for you. Consider the possibilities of highlighters, colored pens or pencils, and Postit ® notes as some of your options. Your personal book-marking system will develop
over time. However you decide to do it, marking your books is not a recommendation. It
is required for AP English Literature and Composition. Use your system to mark your
thoughts as you read the other assigned works. These annotations will be checked
the first week of school.
2. Read How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading
Between the Lines by Thomas. C. Foster before reading the other novel and essay selections.
a. In an informal style, Foster focuses on literary basics: themes, symbols, literary models,
narrative devices, etc. The ideas and strategies in this book will aid you in reading all
year long.
3. Summarize the main ideas in each chapter of How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively
and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the Lines by Thomas. C. Foster.
a. Write the chapter name and number, and a minimum of three bullet points summarizing
the main ideas in each chapter. These summaries should be typed (Times New Roman, 12
pt. font, double-spaced) and will be checked the first week of school. It is imperative that
you do this assignment first, as it will be used to complete the assignments for your other
readings.
Example:
Chapter
Ch. 1 – “Every Trip is a Quest”
Main Ideas
Elements of the quest:
 A quester
 A place to go
 A stated reason to go there
 Challenges and trials
 The real reason to go – always self-knowledge
Summer 2014
AP English Literature & Composition
Walker, B.
4. Read “A Modest Proposal” and Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift.
a. As you read, keep your notes from How to Read Literature Like a Professor close by and
mark the ideas pointed out by Foster in your copy of the novel.
5. Create a Vocabulary List
a. As you read the essay and novel, create a typed (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, doublespaced) list of words you don’t recognize; define these words and include the page
number on which the word appears in your book. “I couldn’t find anything to list” is
not an acceptable excuse. No fewer than 20 words will be accepted for full points.
6. Apply the ideas from How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Lively and Entertaining Guide
to Reading Between the Lines to Gulliver’s Travels and “A Modest Proposal.”
a. After you finish reading the novel and essay, apply the ideas from two chapters of
Foster’s book to them. Focus on the question: How did the information in How to Read
Literature Like a Professor help you understand the deeper layers of the novel and
essay?
b. Each response should include:
 The name of the chapter from How to Read Like a Professor
 An explanation of how these points helped your understanding of literary
aspects of both the essay and the novel (which may include a discussion of theme,
character, plot, symbol, irony, satire, setting, structure, tone, and/or point of view).
c. Each response should be a minimum of 150 words typed (Times New Roman, 12 pt.
font, double spaced, and include a word count). Both responses may be completed on
the same sheet of paper. As with any assignment, all work should be completed on your
own. Do not consult outside resources for assistance on your assignment.
7. Compose two essays based on prompts about Gulliver’s Travels and “A Modest Proposal.”
a. From the novel and essay, you will compose two well-developed (i.e. hook, arguable
thesis, topic sentences, direct citations and analysis, clear progression of argument, etc.)
two-page MLA-formatted essays answering the following prompts:
i. Gulliver’s Travels
 The relationship between the individual and society is a recurring theme
throughout Western literature. At times, the individual is representative
of the culture to which he or she belongs, while at other times the
individual struggles against the constraints of that society. Write an essay
in which you describe how Swift portrays the individual (Gulliver) in
terms of his society. Quote directly from the text. Do not merely
summarize the plot.
ii. “A Modest Proposal”
 Examine how this proposal employs elements of reason and logic, traits
admired by the Neoclassicists. Does this reason “turn them into lovers of
peace and virtue?” In what sense is the proposal “modest”? Examine
specific arguments in the proposal that are ironic. What is the tone of this
irony? Is it for a “comic purpose”?
8. Read Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and “Hills Like White Elephants.”
a. As you read, keep your notes from How to Read Literature Like a Professor close by and
mark the ideas pointed out by Foster in your copy of the novel and short story.
Summer 2014
AP English Literature & Composition
Walker, B.
b. Keep note of themes addressed in the texts.
9. Read over the attached abstract topic list.
a. Narrow the list to five abstract topics that are relevant in The Sun Also Rises and “Hills
Like White Elephants.”
b. Narrow your list to a single topic for each reading. Write two one-page typed (Times
new Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced) essays in which you describe the abstract
topic that you have chosen and its relevance to the reading. Be specific and detailed
about the connection of this topic to the novel and essay.
10. Create a works cited list.
a. Create a works cited list using MLA format which includes all of the summer readings.
Summer Reading and Writing Assignments Grading Rubric
All work must be submitted in a clear-front report cover. Include a cover page with your NAME,
ID NUMBER, TEACHER, COURSE, and TITLE in the middle of the page. All assignments must
be submitted in order. Do not submit any pictures or decorations. The works cited list should be
submitted as the last page in the report cover.
NAME
ID NUMBER
TEACHER
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
SUMMER 2014 READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Organization and Appearances
__________/15
All items are submitted and in the proper format. The assignments are organized as specified and are
typed as required (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced).
Responses
__________/15
The three responses (chapter summaries and two Swift responses, worth 5 points each) are insightful,
reflective, and include all information assigned. They are easy to understand and show correct grammar,
punctuation, and usage.
Essays
__________/40
The four essays over the four readings are insightful, reflective, and include all information assigned.
They are easy to understand and show correct grammar, punctuation, and usage.
Annotated Readings & Vocabulary List
__________/30
The readings are thoroughly annotated and ideas from How to Read Like a Professor are noted (20
points). The vocabulary list of unrecognized words includes at minimum 20 words (10 points total, .5
point per word).
Summer 2014
AP English Literature & Composition
Walker, B.
ABSTRACT TOPICS IN LITERATURE
Ambition
Fear
Nature
Alienation
Free Will
Oppression
Beauty
Freedom
Order
Beliefs
Good v Evil
Patriotism
Betrayal
Greed
Peace
Chaos
Happiness
Perseverance
Circle of Life
Hierarchy
Power
Communication
Heroism
Prejudice
Conformity
Home
Pride
Courage
Identity
Progress
Culture
Ignorance
Racism
Darkness
Individuality
Rebellion
Death
Injustice
Rebirth
Desire to Escape
Inner Strength
Relationships
Disillusionment
Isolation
Sexism
Displacement
Jealousy
Society
Doubt
Knowledge
Suffering
Dreams
Language (as Identity)
Survival
Duty
Light
Struggle
Empowerment
Loneliness
Temptation
Everlasting Love
Love
Tradition
Failure
Loyalty
Truth
Faith
Manipulation
Values
Family Relationships
Materialism
Violence
Fate
Nationalism
War