English II Summer Reading Requirements
Novel: Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt
OR
The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
Angela’s Ashes Summer Reading Project
Pre-Reading Activity
Most of Angela’s Ashes is set in Ireland during the 1930s and 1940s. The more you know about the political issues, world
events, and, in this case, geography and climate of Ireland, the more likely you are to appreciate the book. Prior to reading the
book, you will research one of the following topics and create a pamphlet using the information you gather.
 Brief history of Ireland from 1916 through 1948.
 Predominant religion in Ireland during the time period of the book.
 Social and economic conditions in the Republic of Ireland during that time.
 Attitude of the Irish toward England at that time.
 Role of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Ireland during that time.
 Include an outline map of Ireland that shows the border between the Republic of Ireland and the North of Ireland, the
path of the River Shannon, the location of the cities of Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick, and the location of the counties
of Donegal, Antrim, and Limerick.
 Describe the climate in Limerick. Include average rainfall and average temperatures in Limerick for each of the twelve
months.
Post-Reading Activity
Next you will read the book and then choose one of the above researched items to create a multi-paragraph essay that discusses
the impact that the topic has on the literary aspect(s) of the text, including characterization, plot, conflict, theme, tone, etc.
Within your essay, you need to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Consider the relationship among potential supports and how they support the thesis together.
Include an introductory paragraph containing a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and presents a thesis statement.
Use the supports to help you create your thesis. Make sure the thesis is identifiable, declarative, and argumentative.
Based on the support, use a variety of elaboration strategies (compare and contrast, cause and effect, textual quotes,
counter arguments, etc.).
Ensure that your topic sentences provide a focus for your paragraph and are connected to your thesis.
Refer back to your thesis often.
Don’t over summarize.
Use specific quotations and paraphrases from the novel to support your arguments. Introduce, use, and explain your
quotations and relate them back to the thesis. Also make sure to cite your quotation correctly.
Return to your hook in your conclusion, and refer to or explain the long-term significance of your thesis statement in
the conclusion.
This essay should be: Standard (4-5 paragraphs) Honors (5-6 paragraphs)
Your essay should be typed in MLA format (typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12pt font) with a
works cited page. Please refer to the following website to help in your formatting:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/2/
http://www.easybib.com/
Upon returning in the fall, you will be required to turn in your pamphlet and your essay.
English II
Summer Reading Assignment
Novel: Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt
OR
The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
The Joy Luck Club Summer Reading Project
Pre-Reading Activity
The setting of the novel is split between China and the U.S. The more you know about the traditions of China, the better you
will understand the role and influence of culture in the novel’s conflicts, characters, and themes. Prior to reading the book, you
will research one of the following topics and create a pamphlet using the information you gather.
 Cultural expectations for women in China
 Marriage and family roles in Chinese culture
 The war between China and Japan
 Chinese folklore and myth
Post-Reading Activity
Write an essay on one of the following prompts (you may use the information from your research to assist you):
 Consider the various factors contributing to the rift between each mother and daughter. How much of the
miscommunication and misunderstanding is a result of cultural differences, and how much is the result of generational
differences? Include any other contributing factors.
 How do the generations differ in their ideas about love and family? How does each difference manifest itself in the way
each generation deals with issues such as marriage, divorce, and child rearing?
 Pick at least one mother-daughter pair, and examine to what degree each has fulfilled the American Dream. How does
the importance and/or definition of the American Dream change between generations?
 Lindo Jong says that one always sacrifices part of oneself by putting on one's "American face" or one's "Chinese face."
What do you think defines each of these faces, and what is lost when the wearer dons each one?
Within your essay, you will need to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Consider the relationship among potential supports and how they support the thesis together.
Include an introductory paragraph containing a hook that grabs the reader’s attention and presents a thesis statement.
Use the supports to help you create your thesis. Make sure the thesis is identifiable, declarative, and argumentative.
Based on the support, use a variety of elaboration strategies (compare and contrast, cause and effect, textual quotes,
counter arguments, etc.).
Ensure that your topic sentences provide a focus for your paragraph and are connected to your thesis.
Refer back to your thesis often.
Don’t over summarize.
Use specific quotations and paraphrases from the novel to support your arguments. Introduce, use, and explain your
quotations and relate them back to the thesis. Also make sure to cite your quotation correctly.
Return to your hook in your conclusion, and refer to or explain the long-term significance of your thesis statement in
the conclusion.
This essay should be: Standard (4-5 paragraphs) Honors (5-6 paragraphs)
Your essay should be typed in MLA format (typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12pt font) with a
works cited page. Please refer to the following website to help in your formatting:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/2/
http://www.easybib.com/