AP Language & Comp Outside Reading Assignment
Second Nine Weeks Panel Books
Book Requirement: All AP Language Panel Books are non-fiction with a 250 page
minimum and no movie version and are on the AP Language recommended reading list.
All of these books present an argument – a theory about society – and will help students
prepare for the argument question on the AP Language and Composition test. These
books were carefully selected for high interest based on the recommendation of former
AP students and/or AP Lang teachers on the EDG (electronic discussion group).
Any other book suggested by a student must be approved to meet the above listed
requirements.
Due Date: All components of the assignment must be completed by Dec. 1st- no
exceptions. Each group will set the due date for the group presentation and will adhere to
the date the group selected.
Assignment:
I. Top Ten Moments Sheet: (100 points) Individual Assignment Grade
-Must be ranked but not necessarily appear in ranked order on the sheet.
-See attached instructions.
-Each person in the group will need their own personal analysis on a moments sheet. No
two papers should be alike as this is not the part of the assignment you are collaborating
on.
-Set a date as group to have half the book completed and progress made on your moments
sheet. Meet and discuss in class, via email (copy me), etc.
-Set a date for the book to be completely read and the moments sheet to be completed
individually. Meet and discuss the rankings, as a group come to consensus on the number
one moment in the book that you will present to the class as a group.
This moment sheet will work perfectly with some of the books like In Cold Blood, The
Glass Castle, Into Thin Air, however, for some of the books that are more theory rather
plot oriented you may have to tweak the plan a little. For example, Freakonomics may
want to rank the theories in the book and do a reaction to each one or the top 10; The
Overachievers may want to do the same except for individual students in the book,
Everything Bad is Good for you may want to focus on the effects of various forms of
media, etc.
Read a few chapters and you will then see as the best format for you to analyze smaller
sub parts of your book as an argument for a theory as a whole. Discuss this with me as
get ideas. It is not necessary for everyone in the group to use the same format on the
individual assignment. What I am looking for as I grade these- as always- is evidence of
reading and analysis of reading. That’s why we annotate and mark certain parts of our
book with post it tabs.
II. Number 1 Moment Presentation: (50 points) Group Grade
As a group, you will present the moment you ranked as most significant from your book
to the class. Be creative in thinking of how you want to present it. Of course, you can do
a Power Point but think outside the box too. Perhaps, an advertisement, jingle, poem, Tshirt design (Back and front required.), movie poster, trailer, monologue. Don’t go crazy
and spend a $100 on craft supplies but make it memorable!!! Plan to share a short
excerpt that captures the essence of the book’s argument and style of the author or detail
that made the book worthwhile. Your presentation must focus first on what theory your
book actually presents an argument for or against before proceeding to the Number One
example, moment, etc.
See rubric for more info.
III. Book Reaction: (50 points) Individual Assignment Grade
Must be one page typed maximum (12 points Times New Roman)
Single or double spaced – your choice
In a one-page typed reaction, explain how the reading has affected you as an individual,
your philosophy, etc. (How the book made you feel or think differently). Be sure to
express your enlightenment rather than summarizing the reading. Remember, I do not
need a summary as I have read these books.
REACTION QUESTIONS THAT MAY HELP YOU BEGIN:
(You may use some, all, or none of these).
1. Explain what the subject matter or person means to you.
2. How is this information about this person important to the world, the nation, and/or
our community?
3. How has this subject or person helped to make society better? Or has it?
4. How does the book or person change your way of thinking?
5. This book made me _________ (use a verb here such as consider, realize, etc)
BECAUSE___________.
6. After reading the book, did you feel as though you wanted to do something about
anything?
7. Is this book similar to, different from, or responsive to any other book, movie, event,
etc. you know about?
Rubric:
I.
Moments Sheet: 100 points
Individual Assignment Grade
10 points per moment x 10 moments = 100 points (see moment sheet)
Students may categorize the parts of the book in any other format the group
chooses.
II.
Presentation: 50 points Group Grade
Began presentation with background info about book: title, author,
Must include the central argument the book presents to its audience
Presented the Number 1 Moment about which the group came to consensus
Demonstrated effort and careful consideration of the significance of the
number one moment in the book.
Inspired others to read the book, etc.
Format (Visual, etc.) captures the essence of the top moment of the book.
III. Reaction: 50 Points Individual Assignment Grade
_______/ 40 pts Demonstrates depth of thought & personal reflection about the content,
author’s style etc. of the book. Does NOT contain excessive summary!
_______/ 10 pts Correct sentence structure, paragraphing, spelling, usage, etc.
_______/ 50 pts TOTAL for Reaction
Total project is worth 200 points.