AP English Language
Instructor: Randy Robbins
East Coweta High School
Summer Reading and Writing Assignments
Summer 2010
This assignment is for the AP Language summer reading and writing. The first three or four weeks of class in the fall will
involve discussions and assignments from these two books. Consequently, the first grading period will rely on
assignments from the summer reading, which will include further writing and objective tests. Any student who does not
complete the summer reading and writing assignments will be unprepared to adequately respond to the fall assignments
and will be almost hopelessly behind. Avoid putting yourself in jeopardy from the very beginning of school!
Reading texts: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
Note: As an FYI, Barnes & Noble should have these books available in June; however, you may buy them
anywhere they are offered.
Overall Assignment
Read the novels carefully. Each is a social commentary on its own time and place. For each of the novels the writing
assignment is the same. Try using Galileo for literary criticism. The Galileo password is “detain”. Username is echs +
your name. (Remember: You can have no more than sixteen characters for username.)
Writing Assignment
1. Locate and print or copy two articles of literary criticism that you find particularly interesting for each of the novels.
The articles should help you understand the novel as a whole and an element of the novel in particular, such as a
symbol, motif, theme, character development, etc. It is not necessary to go to the library to get the articles of literary
criticism. They may be accessed at the Galileo web site on the Internet. Note: Study notes for novels are not
considered literary criticisms (i.e., Sparknotes, Cliffs Notes, etc.).
2. Read the criticism carefully and write a summary of each one. Your summary should be a one-page, double spaced
paper. Use MLA style.
3. Construct one carefully written response from the topics below for each of the two novels. If you choose to use any
ideas from the criticism in your essay, be sure to document its use correctly. You are not required to use the criticism
in the writing; it should primarily be your own thoughts. Your written response should be a one- to two-page, double
spaced paper. Use MLA style.
Essay topics for The Last of the Mohicans (choose one)
1. Describe Hawkeye and the relationship he has with Uncas. Use examples from the novel for textual support.
2. Why is the novel titled The Last of the Mohicans? (Be specific!)
3. Discuss the views of both racial and gender bias. Cite instances from the text that expose the bias.
Essay Topics for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (choose one)
1. How does Franklin establish his authority and trustworthiness as a speaker (in other words how does Franklin make the
reader trust him)? Look at what specific events make him look good or bad, his word choice, what kind of person he wants
the reader to believe he is and how he portrays himself.
2. How does the intended audience for the first part of the novel differ from the audience for the second and remaining part of
the novel? (Who was Franklin writing to in the first section vs. the second till the end?) How does this change in audience
change the way he wrote and what he wrote about?
3. Choose one argument, either what you believe Franklin’s thesis for the entire autobiography is or one argument in a small
section of the book. Identify the argument and three ways that Franklin proves the argument. (Look for details, anecdotes,
diction, factual reasons.) Does Franklin adequately defend his argument? Why or why not?
E-mail addresses for instructor
You may email any questions you have about the assignment to the instructor. Please note, since it is summer vacation, it
may take a few days to receive a response.
randy.robbins@cowetaschools.net