Summer Reader Assignment for incoming FHS English 10 Honors students.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
As your English 9H teachers have probably already told you, in preparation for course work in English 10H next school year, your
summer assignment is to read and reflect on Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
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The book may be purchased at The Book Shelf on Main Street in Kalispell (a discount is available if you
show your student ID), or it may be checked out of the ERC prior to the end of the school year.
Read the novel:
Read first for the enjoyment of the story and its personal meaning to you.
Consider a re-reading during which you annotate, highlight or sticky note for some of the following literary features:
• Key elements of setting
• Important symbols
• Methods of characterization
• Examples of personification
• Key character interactions
• Major points of different types of conflict
• Examples of irony
• Examples of imagery
Any form of annotation or sticky notes will come in handy when you return to school and participate in various
assignments and discussions of the novel, so we would strongly encourage you not to skip that step of reading for
analysis.
Your reading will be evaluated by an objective comprehension quiz on Tuesday September 8.
In addition to the reading, complete a creative writing project (one required, one additional for possible extra credit.)
You may choose one of the following ideas:
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If Bradbury were writing this novel today, what futuristic technology would be included?
Write the dialogue for Mildred when she turned Montag in to the authorities.
Create a dueling dialogue of quotations from famous works of literature that conveys an overall meaning
about the value or lack of value of books.
Develop a conversation in which the drifters all share their book identities and their rationale for having
selected these.
Write the parlor viewing guide for Mildred and her friends.
Write a poem that Clarisse might have given to Montag.
Another creative project of your choosing.
Points for this creative writing project will be awarded based on the following criteria:
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The manner in which the project conveys your knowledge and understanding of the text and remains true
to Bradbury’s overall work;
The way in which the project displays the voice and originality of the writer or successfully mimics
Bradbury’s style;
The development, polish and completeness of the creative work;
The presentational qualities of the work.
You can further prepare for your comprehension quiz and class activities by using the study guide and discussion guide on the
back of this handout. Part of the joy of literature is sharing and discussing ideas about it with others. While we would not
encourage you to use any online help in the form of Sparknotes, Cliffnotes, etc. to form your personal analysis of Bradbury’s work,
we would encourage you to discuss the novel with others who have read it and continue the FHS legacy of rich literary analysis.
Novel Study Guide:
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Know and be able to describe all characters, how they relate to and interact with each other, and how they
move the plot forward.
Know and be able to recount all plot points.
Know and be able to describe the setting of the novel and how it affects the characters and plot.
Be able to articulate and support your interpretation of the novel’s theme.
Discussion Guide:
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Review the characters: While you were reading, did you form an image of each character? What did each
character “stand for”? Which character(s) were your favorite / least favorite? Which character(s) can you relate
to or are most similar to you? How are characters developed by the author?
Review the plot: Which scenes were confusing to you? Which scenes were most interesting to you? Which
scenes felt the most real to you? Which scenes felt the most surreal or unbelievable to you? Which scene was
the climax?
Discuss Bradbury’s writing style: Was the book easy to read and understand? Did the plot pull you along? Did
certain scenes or characters bore you? Did anything about the story feel dated (keeping in mind that the book
was published in 1953)? Did you notice any specific literary techniques in Bradbury’s writing? What did you
like / dislike about the writing style of the novel?
Discuss the theme and/or Bradbury’s purpose of writing the story: Many have reported that Fahrenheit 451 is
about censorship. How does censorship come about in this novel and how might that shape Bradbury’s
message to his readers? In what ways do you see our current world mirroring concepts in Fahrenheit 451?
What are your opinions about Bradbury’s treatment of (and predictions about) technology, media, censorship,
entertainment, etc?
Enjoy the novel and have a wonderful summer. We are looking forward to an interesting and exciting school
year with you in our classes.
**Email addresses of your English 10 Honors teachers 2015-16:
Ms. Leah Schvaneveldt schvaneveldtl@sd5.k12.mt.us
Mrs. Megan Koppes koppesm@sd5.k12.mt.us
Mrs. Alison Kreiss kreissa@sd5.k12.mt.us
Mrs. Lauren Mitchell woodmanl@sd5.k12.mt.us