Honors World Literature 11
Summer Reading and Writing Assignments
Summer 2015
SMCC Honors Courses: The purpose of an Honors program is to challenge students to excel in specific disciplines above and beyond
the expectations of the regular classroom. Honors courses are provided as an option at SMCC for students who exhibit a high ability
in a subject and who learn at an accelerated rate. These courses are designed to academically challenge students beyond the standard
curriculum. Honors courses cover more material at a quicker pace, while challenging students to think and process at a deeper level.
Honors classes are expected to be demanding, since discussion, homework, class work, and testing is at a greater level of difficulty
and complexity. Students are expected to exhibit a higher degree of academic and personal maturity as well as more responsibility for
their own learning.
Keep a reader’s journal in which you note the plot, as well as other literary elements, as you read the following two novels
(handwritten on loose leaf paper to be submitted on the first day of school with your essays). This journal should demonstrate
thoughtful reflection, attention to the literary elements, and understanding of the novel.
Suggested headings for your notes:
Summary
Characters – include character descriptions (direct, indirect, static, dynamic)
Plot or events of the novel as they unfold (did you predict this event? what impact does this event on the novel and the
characters?)
Literary elements such as settings, images, symbolism, foreshadowing, irony, point of view, mood and tone
Predictions
Major ideas and themes
Reading and Writing Assignment #1
Read: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Write: A critical analysis of the novel using various literary elements such as characterization, imagery, irony, setting, symbolism,
etc to support one of the major themes of the novel: war is brutal and destructive. This novel was unlike previous war novels
because Remarque does not attempt to romanticize war.
Your essay should include a clearly stated thesis statement and the development of three topics using specific details and quotes from
the novel to support your ideas.
Requirements
Identify the text and the author.
Clearly state your thesis.
Use various literary elements to support your idea.
Include direct quotes from the novel – in text citations, works cited
Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Essay should be typed, standard sized font and margins (12 pt, Times Roman), double spaced
Full heading
Submit hard copy of the essay on the first day of school (August 17, 2015) and have the paper accessible (email to yourself) to upload
to www.turnitin,com on the first day of class in August.
Reading and Writing Assignment #2
Read: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Write: 2-3 page Response Paper
Response Paper
A response paper is an essay that summarizes a student’s response to a specific piece of literature that he or she has read. The essay
should identify the piece of literature, focus on one specific idea or theme, reference the work, and offer the student’s personal
perspective.
Guidelines for Writing a Response Paper
Read the piece of literature.
Make notes of things that stand out to you when you read. Identify things in the text that cause you to react in some way whether it is
positive, negative, you agree, disagree, or it causes you to ask a question. Such as: I like that! I agree with that! I can’t believe that
character did that! Why did that character do that? Why is that character so mean? I can really relate to that person! I don’t get that
part? What is the author trying to communicate? You will submit your notes for the novel (handwritten on loose leaf paper) on the
first day of class with your response paper. Your notes should demonstrate continuous interaction with the novel as you read it as well
as indications that themes or ideas are emerging – these are the themes or ideas that you will use as you write your paper.
Choose one topic that you will develop in your response paper (this will be your topic sentence).
Begin your response paper. Do not summarize the work simply identify the title and author to inform your audience of the piece of
literature to which you are responding.
Include references from the text –use direct quotes to illustrate the validity of your observation or your response.
Include your personal reaction, feelings, and or emotions that emerge from the text (relate it to your own experiences). Describe
something you know or have experienced that compares or relates to the text.
Answer the question: why is this important?
Requirements
Identify the novel and the author.
Clearly state your topic.
Include a minimum of three direct quotes from the novel.
Use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Paper should be typed, standard sized font and margins (12 pt, Times Roman), double spaced and two full pages.
Include a personal response (feelings, emotion, some evidence that the student can relate to something in the text.)
Full heading
Submit hard copy of the essay on the first day of school (August 17, 2015) and have the paper accessible (email to yourself) to upload
to www.turnitin,com on the first day of class in August.
If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Blanchette in school by June 5th or email at ablanchette@smccmonroe.com. Please
understand that I will have very limited availability from July 25-August 9 so please plan accordingly. Have a great summer and
happy reading!