AP English Language & Composition
Summer Reading 2015
Mr. Dacus & Ms. Poindexter-Turk
Welcome to AP English Language & Composition! Please read & complete the following assignments by the first day of
school. Bring the summer reading texts and your completed assignments to class on the first day of school. There will be
an in-class write and vocabulary quiz on the summer reading during the first week of school.
Why Summer Reading?
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According to the College Board: “The purpose of the AP English Language and Composition course is to enable
students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to
communicate effectively with mature readers.” To strengthen your ability to read a “complex text,” you must be
well read, as well as know how to read texts intentionally. We will read a wide variety of texts in class & it is
expected that students will read voraciously to best prepare for the AP test in May.
Acquire the following text, Read & Annotate:
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The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (entire book)
You may acquire this text at many major and online bookstores. We encourage you to purchase used copies in
order to save money. While we realize some students have e-readers like Kindles, Nooks, iPads, etc. which are
also acceptable, the traditional hardcover book is recommended.
What to Annotate:
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Unknown vocabulary words & cultural references – look them up and then see below under “Assignments”
Who is Chua & what qualifies her to write this book?
Who is Chua’s target audience?
What do you agree with and what do you disagree with?
What is the definition of success? Focus on the different ideas of what success is.
Assignments to Complete and turn in on the first day of school:
Vocabulary assignment: For any vocabulary within the book that you do not know, write down the word and its
definition. Type and print on a Microsoft word document. Be sure to complete this task for every word that you
do not know as there will be an open note quiz over the vocabulary used in Tiger Mother during the first week of
school.
o Reading assignment: Locate and print on a Microsoft word document three (3) editorials that focus on The Battle
Hymn of the Tiger Mother. Closely read each editorial and annotate using the SOAPStone technique. Using the
provided SOAPStone documents, complete one sheet per editorial. Bring these three completed documents to
class with the corresponding editorials on the first day of class.
The Elements of SOAPSTone
Subject –
The subject is the general topic or main idea of the
text. It simply identifies what this piece is about.
Occasion –
The occasion is the time, place, historical context or
circumstances that give rise to the text.
Audience –
The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. To
what qualities, beliefs or values is the text appealing?
Purpose –
The reason behind the text. What does the author want
the audience to do, feel, say or choose as a result of what
they say?
Speaker –
Identify the qualifications of the author that establishes
His/her credibility. What do we know about his/her
age, education, occupation, gender, social class,
reputation.
Tone –
What is the general attitude of the author toward the
subject? Common tones are words include:
angry
sharp
upset
silly
boring
afraid
mocking
objective
vibrant
sad
cold
urgent
joking
poignant
detached
confused
frivolous
audacious
sentimental
fanciful
complimentary
condescending
sympathetic
contemptuous
childish
peaceful
giddy
happy
hollow
joyful
allusive
sweet
vexed
somber
pitiful
didactic
tired
bitter
dreamy
restrained
proud
dramatic
benevolent
seductive
candid
apologetic
humorous
horrific
sarcastic
nostalgic
zealous
irreverent
shocking
provocative
SOAPSTone Analysis Worksheet
Text Evidence
Explanation/Interpretation
Provide 2 quotes from the text for each element. How does the quote establish each element?
Subject
Occasion
Audience
Purpose
Speaker
Tone