Honors English 9
Summer Reading Assignment
Directions: Read three novels in the following order: Jonathan Livingston Seagull,
Siddhartha, and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Once you are done, write a 2-3
page essay on the following topic:
These three novels highlight individual characters that have to overcome great adversity
in order to survive in their environments. Even though they are completely different from
each other, they all rely on similar characteristics to overcome the challenges they face.
Assignment: Write an essay that identifies the particular characteristics that the three
diverse characters share, and how these characteristics help them succeed in their quest
for survival.
Suggestions: Please avoid giving a summary of the plot since I have read these novels
also. In addition, since this is a personal essay, avoid researching or consulting with the
Internet.
Guidelines:
1. Your essay must have an introduction (keep the content generic).
2. It must be typed in double-spaced format, 12 point font, and in Time New Roman.
3. Write in present tense.
4. Avoid using simplistic transitions like “I think,” “I feel,” I believe,” and the “I”
pronoun entirely.
5. Do not use contractions.
6. Use an anonymous 5-digit number in your heading instead of your name and be sure to
record the number where it can be easily found.
7. The due date is August 20, 2015. Please drop them off in Mr. Edgar’s mailbox at the
high school (main office).
Any problems? Email me at Robert.Edgar@plps.org
(After a reading of Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls)
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama gave
an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
From
A Conversation
With Barack Obama
(The Candidate Talks About the Youth Vote, What's On His
iPod and His Top Three Priorities as President)
Name three books that really inspired you.
Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon, the tragedies of William Shakespeare and probably
Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls.
 What about Ernest Hemingway’s novel is
inspirational for a man seeking the presidency of the
United States?
Due – Wednesday, August 26 – Put essay in Mr.
Hennessy’s mailbox in main office of high school
You must also read the short story packet containing the
following, all by Ernest Hemingway:
“A Canary for One”
“Hills Like White Elephants”
“The Killers”
“A Clean, Well-lighted Place”
English 11 – Honors
Mrs. Light
Summer Reading Assignment
Never Let Me Go and Kurt Vonnegut packet
Never Let Me Go, along with all of the works we will study during your junior year,
poses the question, “What does it mean to be an individual?” Although the overarching
message Ishiguro conveys deals more with scientific “advancement” and the effect it has
on certain factions of social society, he spends a majority of his novel establishing
complex human relationships amongst people who might not be considered human. This
ultimately begs the question, does an individual need to be totally human? What does it
even mean to be human, and more importantly, an individual?
Vonnegut ultimately asks similar questions in his short stories. Most are set in the future
and incorporate science fiction elements to challenge the reader’s preconceived notions
about humanity and individuality.
Assignment
Read the novel and short stories closely and actively (think about what you’re reading
while you read it). Look for literary devices, figurative meaning, and theme. Think about
the characters, their wants, needs, conflicts, and development. Consider the overarching
message the authors are trying to convey.
In your essay, you should answer the question, “What does it mean to be an individual?”
DO NOT pose this question in your essay; rather, pose the answer as what you will
prove.
You may discuss this issue in terms of morality, but please do not bring outside sources
or your own opinion to the table. Your only sources for substantiating your argument are
the assigned novel and short stories.
Criteria
Your essay must include:
- An introduction (which MAY NOT REPEAT ANYTHING written on this
assignment sheet*), a conclusion, and at least five body paragraphs
- A thesis statement presenting your argument
- At least two pieces of textual evidence per body paragraph (10 total –
minimum!)
- NO use of personal pronouns (I, me, my, us, our, you, your, etc.)
- Analysis to prove your thesis
- Proper spelling and grammar
Assessment
Each essay will be graded using the rubric on the back of this assignment sheet.
Name____________________________________
Mrs. Light
General Essay Rubric
Essay content is sophisticated, insightful, evidenced with quotes and specific text, free of
significant misinterpretations, and meets appropriate depth.
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
Essay progression is smooth, structured, and focused. Essay is free of lapses in flow,
tangents, and off-topic digressions.
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Essay is free of grammatical errors, spelling errors; essay exhibits sophisticated syntaxcompound-complex sentence construction.
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
18
20
Essay makes use of correct, varied, elevated vocabulary.
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Essay stands out due to narrative flair, expository risks, and exceptional prose.
2
4
6
8
10
Overall Comments:
*Anything repeated from this assignment sheet will be considered plagiarism and will
result in a zero (0) for this assignment.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT SUMMER READING
PHOTOCOPIED PACKET………………………………LITERARY CRITICISMS
DRAMA…………………………………………………….A DOLL’S HOUSE
CLASSICAL DRAMA……………………………… (2)….OEDIPUS AND ANTIGONE
NOVEL………………………………………………………..PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
THE FEMALE IDENTITY THROUGH LITERATURE
PART I
CRITICAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF LITERATURE
Read the photocopied packet on literary criticism noting the differences between each
critical approach.
PART II
READING
Read A Doll’s House, Pride and Prejudice, Oedipus, and Antigone
KEEP NOTES ON THE ROLE OF THE PRIMARY FEMALE CHARACTERS
HOW IS THE FEMALE IDENTIFIED/DEFINED (through her talents, her position, her
marriage, her education, etc)?
WHAT LIMITATIONS ARE PLACED UPON THE FEMALE?
WHAT AVENUES OF EXPRESSION ARE AVAILABLE TO THE FEMALE
CHARACTERS?
HOW DO THE FEMALE CHARACTERS OVERCOME (OR ARE OVERCOME) BY THE
OBSTACLES THEY FACE?
PART III
WRITE ONE CRITICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY USING ONE LITERARY CRITICISM (found in
packet) FOR ONE WORK OF LITERATURE FROM THE ABOVE LIST AND ONE
ANALYTICAL ESSAY BASED ON A CLOSE-READING OF THE END OF THE NOVEL
THE AWAKENING (provided). Each essay should be 2-3 pages, typed, double spaced. Be sure
to use specific examples directly from the plot of the work of literature and specific textual
support from the passage. The literary criticism essay is due Monday, August 24, 2015 and the
close reading essay is due on the first day of school.
(Essays are to be anonymous…use a random five digit number in place of your name)
PART IV
YOU WILL BE TESTED ON THE CONTENTS OF ALL THE LITERARY WORKS ON THE
FIRST OR SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL.
ANY PROBLEMS? EMAIL MR. TARSITANO AT Stephen.Tarsitano@plps.org