Dear AP Literature and Composition student,
Allow me to be the first to welcome you to this extremely rewarding and
challenging English course. The purpose of this letter is to outline your
summer reading responsibilities. The summer reading assignments will
not only allow you to get a jump start on the monolithic task at hand
(preparing you for college writing assignments and the national exam in
May), but it will also keep your brain from remaining stagnant for too
long!
The works you are responsible for reading this summer are:
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
You are not merely to read the works listed; that is simply the first step.
Well, actually, the first step is getting the books themselves. Once you
have gathered the titles you will need, carefully read through your copy.
You should annotate your copy of the text (if you purchased it; please do
not mark in a library copy!  I would suggest using lots of post-it notes).
If you are unsure as to how to do this, see the attached “Annotation
Tips.”
You are expected to read the books listed above, unabridged, during the
summer and be ready to be TESTED on each on as of the first week of
classes. The evaluation will be detailed and demanding.
Study guides (such as CliffsNotes and SparkNotes) may NEVER be used
as a substitute for the reading assigned, although you will often need to
refer to outside sources for information related to the text for the Data
sheet.
Once you have finished the reading, you will need to complete a Major
Works Data Sheet for each work listed above (see attached. If you lose
this copy, you can also find this letter and all assignments on our district
web page. www.eriemason.k12.mi.us Once you have found the website,
go to the high school page. Next, looking at the left side of the screen you
will see many blue buttons. Find the one labeled, “High School Teacher
Links”. From there, scroll down to Mrs. Napierala’s A.P. Literature and
Composition section, and print off each assignment). This must be typed
and printed out by the time you arrive on the first day of class –NO
EXCEPTIONS! Do Not complete the Major Works Data Sheet in its
format. However, make sure to complete the assignment in MLA format,
with each section carefully labeled. Again, the Major Works Data Sheet
MUST be typed, but you may choose a format that works for you, instead
of the boxes as shown in this packet.
1
I had many questions over the MWDS in the past. Let me make some
clarifications on specific sections:
 Characteristics of the genre --- should include the genre in which it
is written (I am not looking for fiction). Example: realism
 Plot Summary --- who, what, where, when, and why. This SHOULD
not take long, nor be too lengthy.
 Historical & Biographical information --- yes, you do need to
complete some basic research on the authors
 Characters --- only the major characters.
 Please do not use the format seen in the assignment. Instead,
write it like a regular paper in MLA format, labeling each
section.
Once you have completed the MWDS on each novel listed above, choose
ONE of the three novels and complete a literary analysis on the following
prompt in 2-3 pgs. (typed, doubled-spaced, 12 font, MLA Format):
The most important themes in literature are sometimes developed in
scenes in which a death or deaths take place. Choose a novel or play and
write a well-organized essay in which you show how a specific death
scene helps to illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole (theme).
Avoid mere plot summary.
In addition to the Major Works Data Sheet and literary essay, you will be
tested over each of these works during the first week of school. I will be
giving you sample AP examination questions based on your summer
reading selections. These questions will test both your close reading
skills and your ability to write about important literature.
Attached to this letter is a summer-reading contract in which you
acknowledge an understanding that if you fail to complete any portion of
the summer reading assignments, then the highest grade possible for the
first trimester is a C (79%). This contract is for both you and your
parent/guardian to sign. This contract must be returned by the due
date or you may be dropped from the class.
I look forward to having you in class next year. Please stop by or email
me (napierala@eriemason.k12.mi.us or melissa.napierala@gmail.com )
before the end of this school year if you have any questions regarding the
summer reading assignment or the class itself. Have a wonderful
summer, and I’ll see you in September!
Sincerely,
Melissa J. Napierala
2
AP English Literature and Composition Teacher
Annotation Tips
1. Make brief notes at the top of the page or on sticky notes to mark
important plot events.
2. If you are having difficulty understanding, stop and read again.
Sometimes it is helpful to break a difficult passage or even
sentence down into parts and try to understand it a little at a time.
It is okay to do this. Good readers do it all the time. You may
want to use a sticky note or the margin to write down your
interpretation of the difficult text.
3. Use check marks, asterisks, arrows, stars, etc. to mark important
items or details. If you highlight, use different colors for different
things and create a key for your color codes.
4. Circle or highlight words that are unfamiliar or unusual. Try to
figure out what the words mean through the way they are used;
supplement your guesses by consulting a dictionary.
5. Highlight phrases that describe important characters.
6. Highlight words, images, and details that seem to form a pattern
throughout the text. These patterns usually will lead the close
reader to discover a thematic idea.
7. Mark passages that you think might be symbolic.
8. Highlight the use of figurative language. Look specifically for the
common ones (simile, metaphor, allusion) and consider the
author’s purpose for using that element in the story. It would be a
good idea to take some notes in the margin so you will remember
what you were thinking.
9. If you get an idea, write it down! It may never occur to you again.
10.Don’t mark everything!! If you mark too much, nothing will stand
out and you will have defeated the purpose of annotating.
3
Dear Parents of AP English Literature and Composition students,
In order to make sure you are aware of both the requirements and
responsibilities your child assumes in AP English, I am asking that you
and he/she read carefully and sign this form. Should you have any
questions, please email me (napierala@eriemason.k12.mi.us or melissa.
napierala@gmail.com ). This form must be turned in to Mrs. Napierala
no later than Wednesday, June 11, 2014. Failure to turn in this form
will result in the child being dropped from the course.
Parents, please initial each statement to indicate that you have read and
understand each one.
__________A.
There is a summer reading requirement that must be
completed by the first day of school that includes
annotation of each text, a Major Works Data sheet for
each work of literature, and literary essay based on
one of the three novels. Should the student fail to
complete ANY portion of this assignment, the highest
grade he/she will receive for the first quarter is a C.
__________B.
In order for your son/daughter to earn any college
credit or placement for taking this course, he/she
must earn a 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement
examination in English Literature and Composition
given in the spring. Determination of what score
receives credit or placement is made by individual
colleges/universities, NOT by Mrs. Napierala or Mason
High School.
Please sign the appropriate line below indicating that you have read and
understand the previous statements.
_____________________________
Student’s printed name
______________________________
Student’s signature
_____________________________
Parent’s printed name
______________________________
Parent’s signature
4
Major Works Data Sheet
Biographical information about the author:
Title:___________________________
Author:_________________________
Date of Publication:_______________
Genre: __________________________
Source(s) of Information for Data Sheet:
_________________________________
Historical information about the period of publication:
Plot summary (bullet point this section; write briefly – who, what,
where, when, & why).
Identify the genre and characteristics of that genre. (Example: Realism, then bullet-point the characteristics of that genre that are
located in the text. Make sure to give an example from the text which illustrates each characteristic of genre.
Genre: __________________________________
Characteristics:
Example from Text:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5
Major Works Data Sheet
Page 2
Describe the author’s style:
An example that demonstrates the style:
Identify and explain the use and effect of three literary
techniques.
Cite and quote one example of each
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
Cite and quote three significant passages
(use ellipses to abbreviate)
3.
Explain the significance of each passage or explain how it relates to
the work as a whole.
1.
2.
3.
6
Major Works Data Sheet
Name of EACH
significant character
Page 3
Relationship to other
characters
Three adjectives to
describe character
Purpose/function in
story (Also, specify
round or flat character)
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.
4.
5.
5.
5.
5.
6.
6.
6.
6.
7.
7.
7.
7.
8.
8.
8.
8.
9.
9.
9.
9.
10.
10.
10.
10.
7
Major Works Data Sheet
Page 4
Describe the setting(s) and explain its significance
Significance of the opening scene
Significance of the ending/closing scene
Identify and explain key metaphors, symbols and/or motifs
in the work. (All works do not necessarily have all three.
You MUST identify those that each work possesses).
Tone/Author’s Attitude
Identify and discuss the theme(s) of the work.
8
A.P. English Literature and Composition
Summer Reading Grading Rubric
Name_____________________________________________________
Assignment
Points
Possible
Ethan Frome –
Major Works Data Sheet
50
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 50
– Major Works Data Sheet
Frankenstein –
Major Works Data Sheet
50
Literary Analysis Writing
50
Neatness, spelling, effort
50
Total
250
COMMENTS:
9
Points Received