Welcome to Pre-AP English 2:
For your summer reading assignment you will read ONE novel and TWO short stories. These works will
be your first connection to what we will cover within the first semester of Pre-AP. These assignments
will give you a good idea of how projects are done in this class. To make sure you have completed each
requirement, use the checklist below. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Presnell as soon as
possible. Don’t wait until the last minute!
Assignment #1: The Novel
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Read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (This can be checked out at the MVHS library or
bought from any book retailer.)
Complete Project Option #1 or Project Option #2 for the book.
o Project Option #1: (Make sure to do both sections of this.)
Creating the Hype
The success of a movie comes greatly from its marketing. The posters and trailers are
key in this process. After researching what makes an effective movie poster or movie
trailer, think about which movie posters or trailers lived up to the hype and which did
not or were actively deceitful. You might visit
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/02/7-elements-of-a-great-movie-posterdesign/ to read 7 criteria for great movie posters and http://www.movieposters.com/ to
review some famous movie poster examples.
Your final product should:
Create a visually-appealing, original movie poster for To Kill A Mockingbird.
Title and author of the story should be featured prominently.
Include a graphic that conveys the story’s plot, tone, and character.
Include an effective tagline.
This can be done by hand, on the computer, or a combination of the two.
~AND~
Themes in Artifacts
Analyze To Kill A Mockingbird to determine two themes of the selection. For each theme
you have chosen, find a picture of one artifact (object) in a magazine, newspaper or
online that best symbolizes the theme. This means you will have two artifacts. Affix each
picture to paper and then explain underneath in paragraph form how the artifact is an
appropriate representation of the theme for at least three reasons. Be creative in your
thinking and artifact selection. Be sure to give enough persuasive details to prove that
the artifact is a good symbol for that theme. Provide source information for the pictures
you use.
Your final product should:
Include a statement of the two themes you have selected with textual evidence
supporting these themes.
Include two pictures of artifacts representing your themes.
Be persuasive and creative in explaining the connection between the artifacts and the
themes, including appropriate textual evidence. Be handwritten, typed, or created using
www.museumbox.e2bn.org.
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Project Option #2 (Make sure to do both sections of this.)
Character Morph Portrait
Choose a character from the story who experienced change from the beginning to end of
the story. Prepare a “portrait” (symbolic or concrete) of the character that demonstrates
this change.
Your portrait should:
Include an illustration of the character as described by the author.
Include evidence of the change the character experiences.
Be neat and creative.
Include at least 8 quotations from the work that indicate the character’s name, physical
description, what the character says, what the character does, change, reactions of other
characters to the change, etc.
~AND~
Planning the Movie
If you were going to direct the movie of your chosen short story, how would you do it? You
are going to pitch your idea to a big-shot Hollywood production company which will decide
if they will fund your movie. If they agree to make the movie, you will have an unlimited
budget. Think about all aspects of your film. Who do you want to cast in the roles? Where
would you shoot it? How would you shoot it to create the mood of the story? Would you
have it narrated or would you just have it acted out? How would you use music? What
significant changes would you make to the storyline to make it a successful movie? Explain
other considerations.
Your movie proposal should:
Include a persuasive introductory section convincing the producer to fund your movie.
Be written in paragraphs and complete sentences with additional exhibits (photos, maps,
charts) as needed.
Include section headings to discuss each separate area of the movie that you feel is
important. Example: location, cast, background music, and any other areas you think are
necessary to decide before you begin filming.
Assignment #2: Short Stories
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Read: “By the Waters of Babylon” by Stephen Vincent Benet
Free Online Text Here: http://www.tkinter.smig.net/outings/rosemountghosts/babylon.htm
Read: “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonegut
Free Online Text Here: http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/harrison.html
Complete Short Story Double-Entry Journal Assignment (Explained on next page.)
o You may include entries for both stories in the same document. Just make sure to
clearly label each entry as being for “By the Waters of Babylon” or “Harrison
Bergeron”.
Questions? Need Help? Need links to any of these websites?
Email: lpresnell@mvusd.net
Class Website: www.presnellsclass.weebly.com
Short Story Assignment:
Double-Entry Journals –You will read “By the Waters of Babylon” by Stephen Vincent Benet and
“Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonegut. The Double Entry Journal assignment is intended to do two
things: help you develop your active reading skills, and show that you are noticing more about
the text than the simple plot line. As you read, focus on the themes of the text.
Double-Entry Journal Directions:
-8 journal entries total (approx. 4 per story)– evenly balanced from content throughout the text,
meaning some from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
-Two journal entries per page – typed in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font or, if you are
absolutely unable to type your entries, handwritten neatly in blue or black ink ONLY.
-If journals are handwritten, please use standard 8 ½ x 11” college-ruled binder paper – NO
SPIRAL NOTEBOOK PAPER!
-Follow the format outlined in these instructions – notify us immediately if you have any questions
about the format.
-At the beginning of your compilation of entries for each story, please create a citation for the
novel in MLA format (see example).
-Fold your paper in half lengthwise (or draw a line down the center of the page). On the left side
write the passage you will address in the entry; on the right side write your response (see below
for guidelines) and a word count for your response.
What should you include?
As you read, mark interesting phrases, vivid description, exciting events, or other parts of the
story that evoke emotion or response.
Select a passage – a few words to a few sentences – that captures your interest for any reason
at all.
Quote that passage on the left side of your journal. Copy the passage exactly using quotation
marks. Be sure to include the page number.
For most entries you may use no more than two different kinds of response types, some entries only one. However,
you should never use all five kinds of response types in one entry! Be sure to indicate the response type you are
employing.
Write your response in the right side of your page.
Each response should be about a full half page, at least 150 words. (Remember that your page is
already split in half by the line you’ve drawn down the center – your entry should fill that half
page.) Journals shorter than this will not receive full journal credit. Count the words at the end of
each entry and write it at the bottom of the column. This is where you show what you are thinking
as you read. Explain why the passage engaged your interest.
Some ways to show active reading are:
Question: Ask about anything that puzzles you. For example: Could this really happen? Are
people really this… polite/mean/romantic/religious/violent, etc?
What does this word mean the way it is used here? Why did the author choose this way to
describe the voice/character/action, etc?
Predict: Answer these questions: What will happen next? Where do you think this is leading? Who
is the killer? Will these characters fall in love/end up together?
Clarify: What do you understand now that you did not get previously? Have your questions been
answered? Were your predictions accurate? Do you understand something you didn’t before?
Connect: Text-to-Text, Text-to-Self, Text-to-World.
Evaluate: Give your opinion of the character/event/word/sentence/message. What makes this passage effective?
What do you like or dislike about it?
Example Double Entry Journal