Performing Arts Academy
AP Language and Composition – Summer Assignment 2014
Welcome to the Advanced Placement Language and Composition program. Deciding to become an AP student indicates
that you enjoy being academically challenged and learning for learning’s sake. Advanced Placement Language and
Composition (AP Lang) focuses on persuasive and expository writing, particularly emphasizing rhetoric and
argumentation. Rhetoric is defined as: the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures
of speech and other compositional techniques. To prepare for this class, students should try to immerse themselves in
the genre during the summer.
Part I - Required Readings:
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy by Soldier Ishmael Beah
Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia
To accompany your reading, you must write five discussion questions per novel.
1. Write five discussion questions for each novel. Questions could be about part of the novel you didn’t understand,
historical context of the novel, or author’s style or tone.
3. Discussion questions are due the first day of class. You may edmodo the discussion questions.
As you read, remember that good readers read closely and interact with their texts by annotating. Follow the guidelines,
“Twelve Ways to Mark Up a Book,” (http://hwebbjr.typepad.com/openloops/2006/02/twelve_ways_to_.html )to aid in
your annotations. If you do not literally mark up your text, then please use Post-It notes. Remember, good readers are
active readers, and annotation is a requirement for all texts read in AP Language.
Part II – Read closely the following nonfiction piece:
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Assignment - Respond to the following prompt:
Though Levitt and Dubner write about some highly-charged topics, they write in a manner that does not offend most
readers. How do they use language and style to achieve this balance? Style elements include (but are not limited to)
diction, organization, syntax, tone, and voice.
Expectations of your final product:
* Avoid a formulaic 5-paragraph essay.
*Use MLA formatting.
*Blend and document direct quotes to support your argument.
*Keep the word count between 1000-1500 words.
Information and ideas on stylistic elements: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/virtualit/fiction/elements.asp?e=5
Part III – Rhetorical Terms
Please review and study the following listing of the top 45 rhetorical devices. You will be expected to have a working
knowledge of the terms for class.
http://quizlet.com/22262628/ap-english-iii-common-rhetorical-devices-flash-cards/
This course will be stimulating and demanding where you will be required to accept responsibility of one’s self as a more
mature student, reading and thinking about and writing more mature texts. Therefore, the intention of the summer
assignments is to prepare you for a successful semester. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me:
mweinberg@mail.ocvts.org. The edmodo code for this course is: vgdvjg; please join the group before school starts.
Dear Student,
The English department is excited to introduce you to a wonderful opportunity that ties poetry, an essential aspect of the
study of literature, to the essential elements of performing. Poetry Out Loud is a national, tiered, poetry recitation
competition.
PoetryOutLoud.org says:
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with U.S. state arts agencies to
support Poetry Out Loud, a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through
memorization and recitation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence,
and learn about their literary heritage.
After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, Poetry Out Loud was launched in high schools
nationwide in the spring of 2006 and has grown to involve millions of students across the country.
PAA has been involved in this competition since 2007, and we look forward to another successful year. In an effort to
streamline the process, the English Department is jumpstarting registration for this upcoming academic year.
We encourage you to visit: http://www.poetryoutloud.org/ to gain a better understanding of the entire process. On
Wednesday, September 10th we will hold an interest meeting during lunch and activity periods. Our meeting will outline
the details of future events for the competition, and we will be able to answer any questions you might have.
Should you have any questions about anything prior to our interest meeting, please contact any of the English teachers at
the e-mail addresses below.
Mr. Mastroianni – fmastroianni@mail.ocvts.org
Ms. Weinberg – mweinberg@mail.ocvts.org
Ms. Basile – gbasile@mail.ocvts.org
We hope you have an exceptional and safe (short) summer!
Best Wishes,
The English Department at PAA
Ms. Basile
Mr. Mastroianni
Ms. Weinberg