AP English: Literature and Composition Summer Reading Assignment
Contact Information: tamara.easter@cms.k12.nc.us
Welcome
Dear AP English: Literature and Composition Students,
I am happy that you have taken on the rigor of an AP English class and applaud the commitment
you have made. I look forward to working with you next year. My focus is on helping prepare
you for the AP English exam, and to successfully do this I require that AP English: Literature and
Composition students begin their AP study during the summer. The following outlines the
requirements for the AP English: Literature and Composition Summer Reading Assignment.
Text
You will need to obtain and read the following text:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood\

1984 by George Orwell
These novels can be purchased at any local bookstore. I recommend that you purchase the texts
for this course throughout the year, new or used, so that you can make notes in the text.
Summer Reading Assignment
1. Read and annotate the three novels listed above.
2. Complete the Utopia/Dystopia Research Assignment. See attached sheet.
3. Prepare for an in-class discussion and assessment on novels within the few of weeks of
school.
4. ALL assignments are due on September 1, 2014.
AP English: Literature and Composition Summer Reading Assignment
Essay Prompt
Utopian societies develop when rulers attempt to create a more perfect society. But perfection is
unachievable because its definition is determined by the biased perceptions of each individual within the
society. Although the people in charge can influence citizens through propaganda and fear, they are rarely
able to completely destroy the human spirit. This leads individuals who once believed they were living in a
utopia to realize that they are actually living in a dystopia.
For this essay, you will have to conduct research in order to define the differences between utopias and
dystopias and explore how utopias inevitably devolve into dystopias. You will support the definition with
examples from 1984, Brave New World or The Handmaid’s Tale, explaining not only how the society
defines itself as a utopia but also why it is a truly a dystopia.
General Guidelines
Your essay should include the following sections:
-An intro paragraph, including cited definitions of utopia and dystopias
- Body paragraphs:
 Minimum of one body paragraph should incorporate non-fiction articles or examples that define and
describe utopias and dystopias. An emphasis should be placed on how and why this genre has gained
popularity in texts.
 Minimum of one body paragraph should examine a specific utopia from history or current events
and how they perceive themselves to be a utopia.
 ALL other body paragraph should describe the societies in the text, using specific examples
(quotations and explanations), stating how the society is one’s idea of a utopia, but is actually a
dystopia.
 A conclusion
- You will also need to use no fewer than three (3) outside sources to help you define utopia/dystopia and
support your claims about the devolution of utopias into dystopias.
Formatting
MLA Format
Use a 12pt Times New Roman
Include a MLA header (LEFT-JUSTIFIED and DOUBLE-SPACED) on the first page using the following format
 Your name
 Teacher name
Course name
 Due date
Include a RIGHT-JUSTIFIED pagination header including your LAST NAME and PAGE NUMBER. This
should begin on the FIRST PAGE of your essay.
Include an original title centered, just below the header