Advanced English 4 Summer Reading Assignments
Books
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
British, 20th Century, dystopia – futuristic fiction
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
World issues, Africa, memoir-like, technology, nonfiction
Assignment #1
1. For each book, do thorough, quality annotations. This is a close reading skill necessary to
comprehend college textbooks and other material.
2. Use the following websites for additional information on close reading:
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CloseReading.html
http://mason.gmu.edu/~rmatz/close_reading.htm
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/a/sam50/closeread.htm
If you have trouble linking to these sites, google how to do close reading
3. You may annotate in pen, pencil, colored pens – whatever system works for you.
4. You must include words in the margins, or you have just “colored” your page.
5. I will do some type of annotation check on the first day of school. Make sure you use your
own book and put your name in the front.
Assignment #2
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For each book, do a Dialectical Journal (See Directions on Handout)
Read the handout carefully and follow all directions
Do 10 entries per book. Do 2 separate journals, one for each book.
The entries must cover the entire book. Space the entries from beginning to end.
Do your own work. Do not work with another student and include the exact, same
entries. Neither the entries nor the wording should be the same.
Note: Do not rely on Spark Notes or other reading aids for your information. These activities are
designed to improve your critical reading and analyzing skills. You will use them to write papers,
do assignments, and participate in class discussions. Trust your ideas and abilities.
Dialectical Journals
A dialectical journal is a graphic method to identify significant passages in a work of
literature and personally react to each on a variety of levels. “Dialectic” means “the art
or practice of arriving at the truth by using conversation involving questions and
answers.” Your responses will be personal and analytical. This will help you to process
what you are reading, to meaningfully participate in discussions, and to prepare for
Literary Analysis assignments.
Procedure:
1. Choose passages that stand out to you and record them in the left-hand column of
a T-chart. ALWAYS include the page numbers.
2. Write your response in the right-column. It should be detailed, relevant, and
meaningful.
Contextual Evidence
Some details / responses might include discussion on
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Quotes revealing a theme
Passages with figurative language (simile, metaphor, etc), other literary
devices (allusion, flashback, irony, satire, symbolism, etc).
Quotes giving insight into the characters and/or their relationships; how a
character’s personality is developed (consider dialogue and actions also).
Dominant images and/or motifs / symbols that are recurring
Setting and how it helps develop the story, characters, and themes
How the work is structured and organized
How the author uses style, vocabulary, diction, syntax, and language to
develop elements in the work
Student Response
Some responses might include
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Questions about the passage, events, etc or parts that are unclear or confusing
to you; what surprises you
Personal reactions – how this made you feel
Other literature, movies, songs, poems, etc this reminds you of
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What / who this reminds you of in your own life experiences
Something new you’ve never seen before
What you agree or disagree with about a character
Making a judgment on a character
Discussing what the passage means in a broad sense. What does this say
about the world, human nature, how things work
Analysis of the literary devices, techniques, style, language, etc in the passage
The point of view and different perspectives
How this passage relates to the work overall
Interpreting what the author is trying to say
Grading
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Responses must be specific and detailed
Quality as well as quantity counts
Responses should be a paragraph of mature length (7-10 sentences min.)
Responses must be typed; use Cambria 11 or Times 12
Response criteria:
 detailed, thoughtful, meaningful (not cliché)
 includes literary element discussion (diction, syntax, imagery,
symbol, etc….) and how each contributes to meaning,
 insightful personal connections / thought provoking questions
 thorough coverage of entire text
 neat, organized presentation that follows directions
Example: The Kite Runner (Include the title on each page)
Quote / Contextual Evidence
Personal / Analytical Response
I became what I am today at the age of twelve,
on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975.
(p. 1)
I notice the difference in time. The heading is
December 2001. This will be a flashback. The 1st
sentence carries so much weight – importance
right away that the reader knows something big,
serious is going to happen. This sentence is pivotal
to the plot, theme, and characterization in the
story. What happened, how did it change him, and
what did it mean for him and anyone else involved?
This is all in the first sentence. Plus, most people
could relate to a moment in their lives that changed
who they are today. It really draws the reader in
using suspense. The imagery in the words frigid,
overcast, and winter give a sense of foreboding –
kind of dark and barren.
Continue Response #2 here
Continue Quote #2 here