Sophomore English
Summer Reading Assignment
Mr. Yoder/Mrs. Russell/Mrs. Radel
Dear prospective sophomore English students and parents,
The focus of the sophomore English program is the study of the various literary genres and the
connections which can be made by the student between the pieces they read and the world they live in.
The goal of the summer reading program is to allow an opportunity for students to read a significant
literary work at a leisurely pace. They must read the novel listed below and will be expected to
complete an accompanying assignment for the novel. The required novel is:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Published by Harper Collins, 2006
ISBN 0061122416, 978-0061122415
This book is available at your local library, bookstore, or online.
It is expected that students come to class the first day of school ready to share their responses in the
form of a double-entry journal. Requirements for the journal are listed below. During the reading
process, students should select important quotes or ideas that affect or impact them in some way.
Students should also pay attention to plot, characterization, setting, and theme while reading. Students
are encouraged, but not required, to keep a journal to help identify key points or ideas from the book
when it is time to complete the in-class assignments pertaining to the book. Journals may be kept in any
assortment of organized binder or notebook. Readers are also encouraged to bring the journal, notes,
or a copy of the novel with them the first few days of school. The second assignment will be in the form
of an in-class essay. The essay will be administered following discussion and explanation of the novel.
The completion of the essay will demonstrate students’ comprehension of the plot, characters, key
points, elements, and themes of the novel.
Library or bookstore? Buying books means being able to highlight important passages as you read
during the summer to prepare for discussions and presentations once the school year begins. I
personally believe that being able to mark up a text and “dog-ear” the pages helps in developing a
“relationship” with the text. It also cuts down on potential late fees at your local library. The selection
is considered a major text and may be found at any major bookstore, library, or online.
The criteria and grading criteria for the written essay can be found on the reverse side of this page.
We may be contacted at the following email addresses over the summer should there be any questions
or concerns: syoder@ldsd.org. , lrussell@ldsd.org , aradel@ldsd.org Have a wonderful summer!
INSTRUCTION FOR THE DOUBLE-ENTRY JOURNAL
What’s the purpose of a double-entry journal?
The purpose of a double-entry journal is to give you, as the reader, an opportunity to express your
thoughts on the piece of literature you are (or have finished) reading.
How does a double-entry journal work?
You will divide your page into two columns. On the left side, you should copy down short quotes from
the text that you find important, interesting, or thought-provoking. Quotes in need of clarification can
also be recorded in the left column of the journal. In the right column, you should write your personal
responses (or questions) to the quotes you’ve recorded on the left.
What should I write?
Write your reactions to the quotes you’ve recorded on the left side of the journal. Your reactions can
include your own opinions, disagreements, interpretations, events in your life that relate to the quote,
questions you have as a result of the quote, or you may even draw a picture to represent the quote
you’ve selected. In effect, you are talking back to the author or narrator as you respond in your journal.
How is a double-entry journal helpful?
Double-entry journals allow you to pick out the parts of the novel that YOU think are important. It also
gives you the opportunity to ask questions you may have on the material. The goal of the journal is to
help you improve your comprehension, vocabulary, and reading skills.
The right side of the journal can be completed with any of the following types of responses to the
quotes you have recorded in the left column of the journal:





Reactions - (“This bugs, annoys, moves me because….”)
Reflections - (“I wonder if….”)
Questions – (“I wonder why…”)
Connections
o compare text to another text (print, visual, aural)
o compare an issue/event in the text to something relative to you or your life
o compare the text to the world around you
The significance of the quote you’ve selected to the novel as a whole


Social questions
o race
o class
o gender issues
Visual commentary
o drawings
o visual analogies
o doodles
Left-Hand Side
Right-Hand Side
Quote from the text
Visual commentary (drawings, visual
analogies, doodles)
Quote from the text
Reactions (“This bugs, annoys, moves .
. . me because . . .”), reflections (”I
wonder if. . .”), musings (“Hmmm…”),
questions (“I wonder why…”) with
possible answers (“Maybe because . . .”)
Quote from the text
Connections



Text to other text(s)—print,
visual, aural
Text to self
Text to world
Quote from text
Significance in relation to piece as a
whole; relating part to whole.
Quote from text
Social Questions (Race, class, gender
issues)
Naming Literary Techniques
Quote from text
Quote from text
Imitations or parodies of text’s content
or style.
Quotes from text
In generating ideas for a paper, relating
passages to your thesis.
Double-Entry Journal: Models
Responding to the text:
Draw a line down the middle of a page. On the left side, copy a meaningful passage from the book
you’re reading – perhaps a bit of dialogue, a description, or a character’s thought. (Be sure to note
the number of the page you copied it from – you or somebody else may want to find it later.) On
the right side, write your response to the quotation. Why did you choose it? Did it puzzle you?
Confuse you? Strike a chord? What does it mean to you?
Examples
Quotation
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a
single man in possession of a good fortune
must be in want of a wife.” (Page 1)
Response
This is the first sentence of the book. When I
first read it I thought the writer was serious – it
seemed like something people might have
believed when it was written. Soon I realized
she was making fun of that attitude. I
wondered how much of the novel was written
in that same way, and if I would understand the
author’s humor. It is not too obvious. Will the
entire story be about finding a good wife or
husband?
(example is from Pride and Prejudice)
Quotation
“But to her unaccustomed vision the stretch
of water
behind her assumed the aspect of a barrier
which her
unaided strength would never be able to
overcome.”
(Page 89)
Response
The distance between Edna and the shore
symbolizes the distance she will put between
herself and society, if she embarks on her quest
for self. In this moment, such a distance seems
insurmountable and dangerous to her, which
speaks to how difficult her personal journey is
going to be. I wonder if she will ever overcome
her fear and accomplish learning to swim. At
this point, also, I see this as a symbol of her
independence and, perhaps, freedom from her
stifling life as wife and mother in society as it
exists in her day. But what can she do about it?