Advanced Placement English Language & Composition 2014-15
Summer Break Prerequisite Assignment
Mrs. Torres FHS
Ms. Currie & Ms. Wells HHS
*This assignment can also be found of the following websites:
http://libertyunion.schoolwires.net/curriek
OR
http://libertyunion.schoolwires.net/wellsc
on the left side of the page called “Summer Assignment 2014-2015”)
Outline of Assignments
Please complete the following by the end of the first week of class.

Obtain a copy of the book The Color of Water by James McBride. You may
pick up a copy in the textbook room.
 Read the entire book.
 Print AP terms Flash Cards, cut, and study (you will use these to complete
the questionnaire and the dialectical journal as well.)
o Go to http://libertyunion.schoolwires.net/Page/5561 open and print the
“AP Terms” document OR
o Go to http://libertyunion.schoolwires.net/curriek go to “AP Handouts”
on left side of the page, and open and print the “AP Terms” document
 Complete Non-Fiction Rhetorical Questionnaire on The Color of Water.
 Complete Passage Analyses Dialectical Journal: Gather quotes and analyze
in preparation for Rhetorical Analysis Essay on The Color of Water
(complete in a dialectical journal format using AP Terms to help you—about
4-6 quotes per prompt).
 Complete Argumentative Essay—typed Word document, following these
simple MLA format rules: [1] typed, [2] double-spaced, [3] one-inch
margins, [4] 12pt Times New Roman.
 Samples of Argumentative Essay (plus tip sheet), Passage Analysis
Dialectical Journal, and Rhetorical Questionnaire (not including
vocabulary question #11) included to use as models.
Non-fiction Rhetorical Questionnaire: Due Week 1
The Color of Water
Students must finish the book before they return from summer break. Then, they must complete
each of the following items thoroughly, include quoted example when indicated:
1. Explain the rhetorical purpose of the book by indicating if it is primarily designed to
persuade, entertain, teach, inform, confront, inspire, etc. and by giving specific examples
to support your analysis.
2. State the author’s main thesis in the book and provide a quote from the text that clearly
communicates that main idea.
3. State three ideas presented in the book with a supporting quote for each. Discuss why you
agree or disagree with the ideas using an example from your reading, observation or
experiences.
4. Describe the organizational style of the book (use AP Terms on organization to help
you). Is it organized into chronological events, ideas and examples, causes and effects,
problems and solutions, comparisons and contrasts, etc. Explain how this organization
style is effective.
5. Find a key passage from the book. Are there any sentences that are structured in a way to
draw attention to the important idea (use AP Terms on syntax to help you)? Provide a
quote and explain how the sentence structure helps the writer communicate an idea.
6. Find another key passage from the book. Where does the author use loaded diction to
manipulate reader’s opinion (use AP Terms on diction to help you)? Provide a quote and
explain the connotative meaning of the loaded words and what they suggest to the reader.
7. Where does the author use figurative language to communicate an idea (use AP Terms on
figurative language to help you)? Provide a quote and explain the connotative meaning
of the figurative language and what it suggests to the reader.
8. Where does the author appeal to the reader emotion (pathos)? Provide a quote and
explain how the author’s language evokes emotion.
9. Where does the author present a line of reasoning (logos)? Provide a quote and explain
how the author organizes the argument.
10. Where does the author reveal his or her credibility or establish a relationship with the
reader (ethos)? Provide a quote and explain how credibility or relationship is established.
11. Vocabulary: Find twelve words from the book that are new, sophisticated, or likely to be
on the SAT. Define them and include the part of speech.
Passage Analyses Dialectical Journal: Due Week 1
Students must read The Color of Water and copy key passages (about 4-6 per prompt), analyzing
them fully to prepare for an in-class essay based on BOTH of the following writing prompts:
Please re-read Ch. 12 “Daddy” and discuss how McBride uses language devices (diction,
description, figurative language, organization, and syntax) to reveal his attitude toward his
father.
Please re-read Ch. 25 “Finding Ruthie” and discuss how McBride uses language devices
(diction, description, figurative language, organization, and syntax) to reveal how
discovering his mother’s identity helped him find his own.
Dialectical Journal for Ch. 12 “Daddy” prompt
Left Column Quotes
Instructions:
1. Write down a quote (w / pg #--set-up even
better) showing how McBride uses language
devices (diction, description, figurative
language, organization, and syntax) to
reveal his attitude toward his father. (4-6
total for each prompt).
Sample:
1. McBride recalls his step-father just after
having his eleventh child as “an elderly, slowmoving man in a brown hat, vest sweater,
suspenders, and wool pants” (117).
Right Column Analysis
1. Explain HOW this language device shows
HOW McBride feels about his step-father (2
sentences preferable).
1. By cataloguing visual details that emphasize
the stereotypical “old-person” persona that he
identifies with his step-father juxtaposed with
fathering yet another baby, McBride highlights
his awe toward his step-father, whom he later
sees as “Daddy”. He is amazed that a man as
old as he took on eight children that were not
his own and went to have four more with his
mother.
Argumentative Essay: Due Week 1
After reading the entire book The Color of Water, students will write an argumentative essay.
Students should set up a Word document for the essay following these simple MLA format rules:
[1] typed, [2] double-spaced, [3] one-inch margins, [4] 12pt Times New Roman. We will revise
this essay after further instruction in class. Tips and a sample argumentative essay are included
after the essay questions. Choose ONE of the following essay questions:
Option 1
“It goes without saying, then, that language is also a political instrument, means, and proof
of power. It is the most vivid and crucial key to identify: It reveals the private identity, and
connects one with, or divorces one from, the larger, public, or communal identity. There
have been, and are, times, and places, when to speak a certain language could be
dangerous, even fatal. Or, one may speak the same language, but in such a way that one's
antecedents are revealed, or (one hopes) hidden. This is true in France, and is absolutely
true in England: The range (and reign) of accents on that damp little island make England
coherent for the English and totally incomprehensible for everyone else. To open your
mouth in England is (if I may use black English) to "put your business in the street": You
have confessed your parents, your youth, your school, your salary, your self-esteem, and,
alas, your future” (Baldwin).
The paragraph above comes from 1979 essay by expatriate African American writer, James
Baldwin. Read the paragraph carefully and then write an essay that defends, challenges, or
qualifies Baldwin’s ideas about the importance of language as a “key to identity” and to social
acceptance. Use specific evidence from your observation, experience or reading (include
specific examples from The Color of Water, especially Ch. 25 “Finding Ruthie,” as one of your
pieces of evidence).
Option 2
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have
lain dormant” (Horace).
Consider this quotation below about adversity from the Roman poet Horace. Then write an
essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies Horace’s assertion about the role that adversity
(financial or political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person’s
character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your observation, experience,
or reading (include specific examples from The Color of Water as one of your pieces of
evidence).
Organization for Argumentative Essay:
Intro Paragraph:
Begin with style—attention-getter about the topic
Paraphrase the argument (claim), discuss importance of the claim, naming author(s),
distinguishing it from alternate or opposing claims
Thesis—your claim about the topic
Body Paragraphs:
Your reasons for your claim, recognizing counterclaims and/or flaws in the arguments made
Tie author’s ideas to your points—pull in quotes
Your SPECIFIC Examples (Learned, Observed, Experienced) that support your claim
Explain HOW your example proves or disproves author’s argument and supports yours
TRANSITIONS= end of one body reflects word of idea that will be brought up in next paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph:
Restate thesis and argument, mentioning author’s name with strong OPINION emphasized
Summarize most important points in new words
Leave reader with a call to action or lasting impression persuading of your point
AP Argumentative Essay Tips
SHOW
1) Understand meaning of the passage
2) Defend, Challenge, Qualify
3) CONCRETE Examples
4) Maturity of perspective
5) Ability to self-reflect
6) Current events literacy
7) Sensitivity to historical writing
8) Concept of how language is used
9) Clear and logical support
10) Appropriate tone (Consistency)
Be sure to:
 Use quoted points by the author within your essay
 Give SPECIFIC evidence that supports your argument
 Explain HOW this evidence supports your point
 Use persuasive techniques like pathos and logos to support your point
 Use connotative diction to persuade your audience
 Use stylized syntax to make your points more emphatic