AP AMERICAN LITERATURE
INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENT
BOOK SELECTION
The Advanced Placement Literature and Composition exam often poses essay questions that invite responses based on
the following American novels. From the list below, select a text that you have not already read.
Absalom, Absalom!
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Age of Innocence
All the King’s Men
As I Lay Dying
Awakening
Bluest Eye
Call of the Wild
Catch-22
Ceremony
Color Purple
East of Eden
Ethan Frome
Farewell to Arms
Fahrenheit 451
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Go Tell it on the Mountain
Grapes of Wrath
House of Mirth
House of Seven Gables
I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings
Invisible Man
Joy Luck Club
The Kitchen God’s Wife
A Lesson Before Dying
Light in August
Moby Dick
My Antonia
Native Son
Native Speaker
The Old Man and the Sea
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s
Nest
Scarlet Letter
Slaughterhouse Fie
Snow Falling on Cedars
Song of Solomon
Sound and the Fury
Sula
The Sun Also Rises
Tender is the Night
Their Eyes were Watching God
Typical American
We Were the Mulvaneys
White Noise
Woman Warrior
BOOK APPROVAL
Get your book approved by bringing a copy of it to class. It is not enough to just tell me the title; you must be in
possession of the book. Approval is on a first-come first-served basis. A maximum of two students per class may read
the same book. Your selection is considered approved and final when I write it on my list. If you do not select a book by
the Tuesday, May 20, you will be assigned a book and will be required to obtain it on your own.
INDEPENDENT READING ASSESSMENT
You will have some silent reading time in class; however, you must finish reading the book on your own. On
Monday, June 2, you will complete an open-book reading assessment. You may also bring notes to help you.
VERBAL-VISUAL ESSAY
Option 1
1. Choose an essay topic that can be answered with
your book.
Option 2
1. Choose an essay topic that can be answered with
your book.
2. Create a visual that responds to the essay topic.
2. Write a 600-750-word essay that responds to the
topic. Be sure to include specific references to the
text.
3. Write a 750-word piece explaining the meaning
and intent of your visual. This means explaining
what you tried to convey with specific images,
colors, symbols, placement, size, etc., and how
the visual addresses the essay topic. Be sure to
include specific references to the text.
3. Create a visual that captures your response to the
essay topic.
The size of the visual should be at least 11“ x 17“. In creating the visual, you may use any kind of format (secret
compartment book, poster, diorama, etc.), any type of visuals (drawings, sketches, photographs from magazines,
computer-generated graphics, real objects, etc.), and may mix some words. The important thing is that your visual
responds directly and thoroughly to the essay topic. In order to make a "meaningful artistic work," apply some of the
following design elements:
1.
2.
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5.
6.
Focus of interest:
Symbols:
Color symbolism:
Placement:
Juxtaposition / Contrast:
Negative space:
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VERBAL-VISUAL ESSAY PRESENTATION
On Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11, you will give a 8-10 minute book talk during which you give a brief synopsis
of your novel, then proceed to show and describe your visual to the class. You should not read your entire essay, but
highlight the main components of your visual. Your verbal-visual essay is due on the date of your presentation, which
will be determined randomly.
EVALUATION
Reading Assessment
20 marks for knowledge and content
Verbal-Visual Essay
20 marks
Visual
10 marks
 images chosen are meaningful, insightful, and have a strong link to novel
 images chosen have strong appeal for the viewer
 variety of drawings, sketches, photographs, etc. are used
 arrangement of images and text is thoughtful: focus of interest is clear
 colors and shapes are used creatively and thoughtfully
 most of the six ideas for creating effective visuals is used
Verbal
10 marks
 original alternative title captures the essence of the novel and visual
 key characters, events, setting, themes are identified and discussed accurately
 explanation is insightful and thorough, with specific references to the text
 essay is well-organized, with thoughts flow smoothly from one to another
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are near-perfect
 page number references are given in brackets after quotations
Verbal-Visual Essay Presentation
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10 marks
Presentation shows confidence. You know what you are speaking about.
Introduction and conclusion are strong. State clearly at the beginning what you will be talking about.
End strongly. Do not just say “That’s it” or “I’m done.”
Volume is appropriate, not too loud, and not too quiet.
Voice is steady and clear. Words are not jumbled together.
Intonation is appropriate. Expressions and emotions are shown in the voice and face when appropriate.
Presentation flows. Pacing is appropriate. Avoid fillers such as “you know”, “um”, “yah”, “ok”, and “like”.
Posture and position are appropriate. Do not lean or sway. Stand so we all can see you and the visual.
Proper eye contact is maintained with the audience. Do not read from your notes.
Proper gestures are used when necessary. Do not move your hands too much or fidget when speaking.
Presentation seems interesting to the audience and the presenter.
TIME LINE
Library visit to select book
Last date for book approval
Silent reading time in class
Finish reading book / Reading Assessment
Verbal-Visual Essay assigned
Work time on Verbal-Visual Essay
Verbal-Visual Essay due & presentations
Friday, May 16
Tuesday, May 20
Tuesday, May 20 - Friday, May 30
Monday, June 2
Tuesday, June 3
Tuesday, June 3 – Friday, June 6
Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11