Summer Reading
Bergen County Academies
American Literature I
Mrs. Crimmel
Mr. Kaplan
Mr. Mendelsohn
Ms. Villanova
Welcome to American Literature I! We are very excited to meet you in September.
To get you started, this summer you are to read two short stories and prepare a speech that will serve as an
introduction of yourself to your teacher and classmates. Both of these assignments will be due on your
first day of school.
I. Short Story Assignment:
You are to read the two short stories below and annotate each text. Print out a copy of each story to
write on and annotate. These notes and readings will be the basis for class discussion as well as a resource
for future assignments. Be sure to bring your annotated stories to class on the first day of school.
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
http://jackson.classicauthors.net/lottery/
“A&P” by John Updike
http://www.tiger-town.com/whatnot/updike/
What is an annotation?
Annotation is a method of note-taking in which you directly write on the text while reading. Effective
annotation will help you to clarify ideas and note patterns in the stories. It will also help you to remember
what you would like to ask or discuss in class. Here are some techniques for annotating a text:
 Write brief comments in the margins of your paper
 You might underline, star, highlight, box, or circle whatever words, phrases, or sentences that
catch your attention.
 Underline only a few words. Always combine with another method such as comment. Never
underline an entire passage. Doing so takes too much time and loses effectiveness. If you wish to
mark an entire paragraph or passage, draw a line down the margin or use brackets.
 Use abbreviations or symbols - brackets, stars, exclamation points, question marks, numbers, etc.
to indicate important quotes from the story.
 Connect words, phrases, ideas, etc. with lines or arrows.
 Use post-it notes only if you have exhausted all available space.
What should you annotate?
 Have a conversation with the text. Talk back to it.
 Ask questions (essential to active reading).
 Comment on the actions or development of a character. Does the character change? Why? How?
The result? Highlight significant quotes from the story that reveal important character traits.
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Comment on something that intrigues, impresses, amuses, shocks, puzzles, disturbs,
repulses, aggravates, etc.
Comment on lines / quotations that you think are especially significant, powerful, or meaningful.
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Express agreement or disagreement.
Summarize key events. Make predictions.
Connect ideas to each other or to other texts. Note what you are reminded of (people, feelings,
places, moods).
Note if you experience an epiphany or significant realization.
Note anything you would like to discuss or do not understand.
Note how the author uses language. Note the significance if you can.
Note places in the text that reveal a theme. A theme is the central idea of a work.
Mark any vocabulary words you do not know and define them.
II. This I Believe Speech Assignment
According to National Public Radio (NPR), “Fifty years ago, millions of Americans sat by their radios
and listened to This I Believe.” For five minutes each day, they heard from statesmen, department store
employees, taxi cab drivers, and secretaries—all of whom spoke about their most deeply held beliefs.
A few years ago NPR decided to bring back the This I Believe series and it has since been taken up by
Bob Edwards on his radio broadcasts.
Your assignment is to read the information, requirements, and several examples from the This I Believe,
Inc. website, and then write your own “This I Believe” essay that you will present orally in September.
1. Go to http://thisibelieve.org/. Click on “Participate” in the top ribbon and then click on “Essay
Guidelines” in the drop down menu. Read the original 1950s Producer’s Invitation as well.
2. Click on “Explore” in the top ribbon. Read several different essays from different types of people to get
a feel for both the structure and style of this type of writing. Notice which ones “speak” to you and
contemplate why.
 Print, read, and annotate (please see Annotation notes above) one essay of your choice. Bring this
annotated essay to class on the first day of school.
 Check out these three suggestions to see what teenagers have written (do not write your
annotations on them, however):
o “Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day” - http://thisibelieve.org/essay/4205/
o “The Triumph of Kindness” - http://thisibelieve.org/essay/83477/
o “America’s Beauty Is In Its Diversity” - http://thisibelieve.org/essay/42798/
3. Once you know the prompt and the guidelines, carefully consider your topic. Five hundred words isn’t
much, so be concise without sacrificing style/voice. Outline or jot down ideas before writing. Think about
organization. Organize the examples or anecdotes you employ directly around the belief you have chosen.
Write multiple drafts carefully considering diction. Every word counts.
4. Write the final essay:
 Please use 12 point, Times New Roman font and double-space your work.
 Use one side of the paper only.
 Do not include a cover page or a plastic cover.
 Bring this essay to class with you on the first day of school.