AP ENGL LANG & COMP 1
Independent Reading: Contemporary Fiction Assignment
Contemporary Novel: Literary Criticism & Analysis
During the next nine weeks, you will be responsible for reading, annotating, and
analyzing one fiction selection from the provided list. This assignment will
culminate in one criticism essay and two literary analysis essays.
READING: You will attend to the reading of your selection in class and on your own time. You will bring your book
with you to class every day. You will make annotations in your book while you read. You will also write a 1-2 page
summary of your book: Must be typed, TNR 12pt font, double-spaced.
ANNOTATIONS: You will select 5 literary elements from the provided list to annotate and analyze in your reading
selection. You are required to have a total of 50 highlighted annotations for the entire selection. You will highlight
evidence of these devices with 5 different colors. You will provide a color key on the inside front cover of your
selection. You must mark the pages and number your annotations for evaluation on a specified due date. In
addition to highlighting and annotating, you will also write 10 thoughtful comments and 10 thoughtful questions
over the content and/or style of the selection in the margins of the pages which you will later document & submit
with final project.
LITERARY CRITICISM: You will choose one literary criticism written about your selected book and make a copy of
that criticism. In a 1-2 page essay, you will (1) summarize the critic’s opinion and will (2) assert whether you agree
or disagree with the critic. Your essay will include quotations from both the criticism and the book to support the
critic’s assertion as well as yours. Each paper must have an Intro, 2 BP’s, & a Conclusion, as well as a works cited
page. You will use TNR 12pt font, double-spaced. You will turn in your highlighted and annotated copy of the
criticism with your essay. Refer to the “Criticism Essay” page of my website for help.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: You annotated 5 elements in the book, and you will write two essays discussing four of these
elements (2 elements per essay). Your analysis will include an assertion about the devices (1) HOW do they work
& (2) what EFFECT do they have on the reader. You must include a quotation supporting the purpose and a
quotation supporting the effectiveness for each element. Each paper must have an Intro, 2 BP’s (one literary
element per paragraph: 2CD’s with sufficient CM’s in each paragraph), & a Conclusion, as well as a work cited
page. Each Literary Analysis essay must be 2-3 pages in length. You will use TNR 12pt font, double-spaced. Refer
to the “Literary Analysis Essay” page of my website for help.
YOUR PROJECT MUST INCLUDE: Final project will be assessed as a major grade (40%).
1. Book Summary: 1-2 pages, typed, TNR 12 pt font, double-spaced, MLA
2. 10 Comments & 10 Questions: typed, TNR 12 pt font, double-spaced, MLA
3. Literary Criticism Essay: 1-2 pages, typed, TNR 12 pt font, double-spaced, MLA, WC page
4. Two Literary Analysis Essays: 2-3 pages each, typed, TNR 12 pt font, double-spaced, MLA, WC page
ANNOTATIONS CHECK: _______________________
FINAL PROJECT DUE DATE: ____________________
AP ENGL LANG & COMP 2
Independent Reading: Contemporary Fiction Assignment
FICTION TITLES
1984 by George Orwell
“A” IS FOR ALIBI by Sue Grafton
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess
A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES by John Kennedy Toole
A THOUSAND ACRES by Jane Smiley
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini
BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
CHASING THE DEVIL’S TAIL by David Fulmer
CRUEL AND UNUSUAL by Patricia Cornwell
DUNE by Frank Herbert
GILEAD by Marilynn Robinson
GOING AFTER CACCIATO by Tim O’Brien
HOUSE MADE OF DAWN by N. Scott Momaday
LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND
CLAY by Michael Chabon
ROSE MADDER by Stephen King
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT
by Mark Haddon
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg
Larsson
THE HANDMAID’S TALE by Margaret Atwood
THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS by Isabel Allende
THE KITCHEN GOD’S WIFE by Any Tan
THE LIFE OF PI by Yann Martel
THE OTHER QUEEN by Philippa Gregory
THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant
THE ROAD by Cormac McCarthy
THE WOMAN WARRIOR by Maxine Hong Kingston
THE WITCHING HOUR by Anne Rice
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro
YELLOW RAFT IN BLUE WATER by Michael Dorris
PARADISE by Toni Morrison
AP ENGL LANG & COMP 3
Independent Reading: Contemporary Fiction Assignment
DEFINITIONS OF THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Tone/Attitude—The tone of a piece reflects the author’s attitude. That attitude may be directed toward
the subject and/or audience. Attitude is expresses through the character’s action and speech. Often
times, attitude is revealed through narration. Tone is implied and is subject to change throughout the
work.
Diction—The author’s particular word choice used to make a point in the story. An analysis of diction
must include both denotation and connotation of words.
Figures of Speech—Uses of language that departs from the customary construction, order, or
significance, Examples include simile, metaphor, and personification, Sometimes figures of speech create
special meanings, which emphasize the intention of the passage.
Detail—The use of detail includes describing and relating an object or scene with complete particulars.
Through details, specific information clarifies and makes a more complete picture in the novel. Most
details tell who, what, when, and where.
Imagery—The author’s use of sensory related words to project an image or picture in the reader’s mind.
Imagery deals with the five senses—sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell. Imagery is used to evoke the
reader’s emotions.
Point of View—The perspective or vantage point from which a story is told. There are several types: 1st
person, 3rd person limited, 3rd person omniscient, & objective.
Organization—The order in which ideas are presented. Types of organization include:
a. Chronological—the order in which events take place
b. Spatial—the physical description of persons and places
c. Cause & Effect—one event brings about another
d. In Medias Res—the author begins in the middle and uses the techniques of
flashback and foreshadowing
8.
Structure—The structure of the novel is its planned framework. This includes the sequence of events
throughout the novel. The story line from the exposition to the resolution (denouement) constitutes part
of the structure of the novel. The division of the book into chapters or sections also contributes to the
structure.
9.
Irony—Defined as an element of style that indicates an intention opposite from what is actually stated.
Irony is a recognizing of reality different from its appearance. Irony may be subtly sarcastic. There are
three types: verbal, situational, and dramatic.
10. Syntax—The way the sentence is put together. Sentences may be simple, compound, complex, or
compound-complex. Syntax also deals with elements such as dependent/independent clauses,
interrogative/declarative, and fragments.