Teacher: Mr. Wojcik
contact: wwojcik@copiague.net
English III Honors Summer Reading Assignment 2014
OVERVIEW
It is imperative that you keep your literary minds actively engaged over the summer. You are
required to read Jon Krakauer’s work of nonfiction, Into the Wild, and to complete the following
assignment. Failure to do so will greatly compromise your first quarter grade.
REQUIRED TEXT: Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer
ASSIGNMENT
1. Sticky Notes. Aggressively read and annotate the entire novel. This means to ask
questions and make observations as you read. Attach a total of 12 sticky notes to flag
important, interesting, beautifully written or confounding passages. Jot down a brief
comment, question or observation on each sticky note.
Divide Your Sticky Notes As Such:
3 – Important passages in the story development
3 – Identifying beautifully written passages
3 – Identifying literary elements
3 – Asking questions about plot, character or language
2. Vocabulary. Identify and define 30 vocabulary words. Krakauer writes with a highly
stylized and sophisticated vocabulary. Select 30 words that you are unfamiliar with,
write down the word, define it and then use it in an original sentence.
3. Essay. In an essay of at least 500 words, explain how the following excerpt from
Krakauer’s novel applies to the book as a whole:
He had a need to test himself in ways, as he was fond of
saying, “that mattered.” He possessed grand—some would say
grandiose—spiritual ambitions. According to the moral absolutism
that characterizes McCandless’s beliefs, a challenge in which a
successful outcome is assured isn’t a challenge at all. (p.182)
NOTE ON ESSAY:
This should be a standard 4 – 5 paragraph essay.
 Clarify your thesis in your introduction.
 2 - 3 body paragraphs supporting your thesis with details from the novel.
 Recapitulate your main points in the conclusion.
 This is NOT a critical lens essay, please do not structure it as such.
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There will be a test on Into the Wild during the first week of the school year.
Do your OWN work!! There is no “we worked on it together.”
email me with any questions.