Mr. Beckett
AP English 12
Summer Reading Essay Assignment
Due the First Friday of the School Week (no exceptions)
100 Points
Explanation: To get an idea of your skills in writing and your ability to interpret literature, you will be reading
two novels—Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Ken Kesey)—and you will
be writing an essay in response to an AP Test prompt.
The Prompt: The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is a recurring
theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Consider the unnamed narrator from Invisible Man and Chief
Bromden from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. In an essay of 7-10 paragraphs (you can have more if you
need to) address the individual conflict and individual development of each main character in each novel. As
you address these items, consider how each character opposes the majority and also consider how this
opposition creates the invisibility of each character. Ultimately, decide whether the individual’s conflict is
resolved by the end of the novel. So, just to review.
● Seven-to-ten paragraph essay.
● Discuss the individual conflict and individual development of the narrator and Chief, respectively.
● Within this discussion, consider the opposition and how this opposition creates invisibility.
● Decide and explain whether the conflict is resolved by the end of the novel.
Format:
1. Typed, Times New Roman, Double-spaced, 12 point font.
2. Proper heading (upper left corner: Name, Teacher’s Name, Course, and Assignment Title).
3. Works cited for any sources/citations other than the novels.
Tips/Guidance:
● You might think about this as two essays wrapped into one and under the same rooftop of the above prompt.
● Your introduction should encompass both works and the idea of the individual, conflict, identity, and/or
invisibility.
● After your introduction, you should discuss each work in terms of the bulleted requirements above and
ultimately decide how much of the conflict is resolved. (Plan on two-to-four body paragraphs per novel.)
● As you analyze each character from the novels, make sure you’re very specific to the text, using quotes and
close references (page numbers with novel references, too). Do not merely summarize the plot.
●● As you analyze the text, consider other ongoing considerations throughout the text: foil characters, major
quotes, themes, symbols, or other motifs (other than invisibility).
Formal Writing Reminders
1. Cite page numbers when you quote material.
2. Do not assume the thoughts of all readers are the same as yours. For example, avoid the following
assuming statements: “readers are unsure, readers are interested, readers cannot figure out, or this part of
the novel leaves the reader wondering.”
3. No use of “you,” “I,” “us,” “our,” or any other personal pronouns in formal essays about literature,
unless these words appear in quoted material, of course. Use of present historical voice (objective, 3rd
person present tense). For example, write “Ellison presents a narrator,” rather than “Ellison presented a
narrator.”
4. THESIS STATEMENTS: Your thesis should offer a clear, thorough preview of your essay for the
reader. Make sure you follow your thesis (its order, its goals, etc.) for sake of focus and organization.
Your thesis could be one or two sentences. If you need two sentences to be clear, use two sentences.
5. Underline or italicize titles of novels, plays, films, and larger works. Place “ ” around shorter works.
6. No contractions in formal essays (unless in a quote). It makes writing sound informal. Do not confuse
contractions (don’t, they’re, etc.) with possessive use of apostrophes (Chief’s, the narrator’s, etc.).
Possessives are fine.
7. Develop your argument clearly. Do not jump around in your analysis of either novel to the point that
things are extremely unclear.
Other general writing reminders
 Reread the important moments from the text, taking notes and recording important quotes (I recommend stick
note tabbing for essay ideas or other important items).
 Vary sentence structure. Avoid passive voice.
 Logically organize your essay (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)
 Balance generalization and specific details
 Maintain a consistent tone and voice throughout the essay.
 Use appropriate terms (literary devices) relevant to your essay (foil, motif, theme, for example)
 Maintain your focus on your prompt
 Use quotes judiciously; do not “pad” your essay with quotes
 Introduce and incorporate your quotes with the necessary explanation (do not “quote and run”)
 Keep in mind that your audience is “the general reader”
PLEASE SPEND SOME TIME ON THESE NOVELS AND THIS ESSAY. IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS AS YOU COMPLETE THIS WORK, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO
EMAIL ME OVER THE SUMMER AT mjbst77@yahoo.com TO ASK QUESTIONS OR GET
CLARIFICATION (NOT MY SCHOOL EMAIL). DO NOT COME INTO CLASS THE FIRST
WEEK AND SAY YOU DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT. I CHECK MY EMAIL
FREQUENTLY AND WILL GET BACK TO YOU PROMPTLY. I LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU NEXT YEAR. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Mr. Beckett