FAQs about Summer Reading
OUTLINE
1. Any format is fine. Just be aware that the outline
1. Should the outline for HTRLLAP be a
seen here and others like it on the internet are too
traditional, standard outline, or any format we'd
vague. If there are concepts you already
like?
understand it is fine if you simply have a bullet
point reminding you of their inclusion in the larger
2. Do we do an outline for each chapter or an
chapter subject. If you encounter a concept that
outline of all the chapters we are supposed to
you don’t understand well you should be specific
read?
so you don’t need to return to the hardcopy text to
understand.
3. Can we type the outline and personal thoughts
Additionally the outline is more meaningful if you
on "How to Read Literature Like a Professor"?
include your personal reactions or literary
observations associated with the chapter. For
instance, Chapter Twelve, “Is That a Symbol?”
draws to mind many of my favorite works both
literary and in other genre. I might make reference
to the chestnut tree struck by lightning in Jane
Eyre or the ever spinning top in Inception as a
reference point.
2. You are only required to outline the assigned
chapters. If you are an overachiever or extra
amazing and you would like to read/outline others
feel free.
3. You may type your outlines but be aware of
printer margins because you will need to cut and
glue the outline into your college ruled
composition notebook. (Note: one thing that
annoys me is edged of glued in paper sticking out
of a comp book…)
ESSAY
1. How would you want the essay formatted?
2. Do you want us to use every topic/chapter
(acts of communion, everything is a quest,
etc.) to analyze each book? Or may we just
choose specific chapters from "How to Read
Like a Professor" to analyze each book?
1. MLA Format, 12-Pt Times New Roman, Double
Spaced, One-Inch Margins
2. Use the chapters that are applicable to the text
you are writing about. You are not expected to
use all fourteen chapters in your writing. In fact, to
do so would mean your entire paper is vague. I
would suggest perhaps three-four per book. Feel
free to address the same chapter for both books.
3. What do you mean by the application of
For instance, chapter ten is heavily applicable to
Jane Eyre and loosely applicable to The
concepts for the essay analyses?
Metamorphosis. So while I might focus two
4. Do we split up the essay into parts or if not
paragraphs on the prior, for the latter I might only
then what format would you prefer?
mention it in passing or not at all.
3. Use the things being taught by Foster and apply
5. What specifically do our analysis and outline
them to the novels. For instance, analyze the use
of flight in Jane Eyre.
need and is there a minimum number of pages
that we need to have?
4. You may split the paper into two sections, one for
each text if it makes you more comfortable. You
could also decide to analyze similar chapters and
then intertwine your analysis of the two works.
5. See the project paper here.
TEXTS
1. You will need to have access to the texts in class.
1. Are you required to bring all 6 books to class
I am fine with digital copies.
(at one time or another)? By this I mean, if I
2. You do not need the books the first day. We WILL
have a pdf file of the book and can read it from
begin using them on day two. I will lay out the
there, do I have to bring a device to read the
calendar the first day of when to bring the texts to
book from my device or are we not required to
bring our text to class?
2. Do we have to have each individual book on
the first day of school?
3. Do we have to log all the books we read?
4. How am I supposed to get the books if I'm in
another country?
class.

As a side note on this one, I mentioned
on the summer reading newsletter the
names of the other texts covered in class.
We will be using Wide Sargasso Sea
starting in September so you need it
ASAP.
-The Devil in the White City in October
-Kafka on the Shore in November
-Order online now to save money
3. No.
4. You could purchase them via e-reader or
hardcopy, now, before you go? How would you
normally accomplish summer work on vacation?
PRESENTATION
1. Do we have to use prezi?
2. Is there a presentation required?
TIME MANAGEMENT
1. How do you not procrastinate?
1. I would like you to learn to use Prezi for the
vocabulary project. Prezi is aesthetically pleasing
(pretty) and a good tool to have under your belt.
Why not learn during the summer when you have
the time?
2. There is not a presentation of your work but we
will be engaged in group work and discussion on
topics related to summer reading right away.
1. Make a timeline and stick to it. I get it. It’s
summer. It is also my summer. I am enrolled in
two classes for my doctorate and working all
summer long to get lesson plans ready for you
guys as well as yearbook and journalism. Believe
me, I get it. At the beginning of EVERY week I
make a weekly calendar. I make note of what I
need to be reading every day during the week in
order to accomplish all of my tasks to my desired
level of excellence.
How I’d break it down:
a. I would obviously read H2RLLaP first.
Aim to finish it and your outlines by the
end of June.
b. I would aim to read The Metamorphosis
next. It is short. A good place to start. Aim
to finish in one week, at the most two. It is
only 80 pages.
c. I would aim to read Jane Eyre last,
spending probably three-four weeks.
Somewhere after this reading I’d watch
the film.
d. That would leave you two weeks in
August to accomplish the vocabulary
project and writing pieces.
If you leave EVERYTHING to the last minute you
will not finish. Then you will have to cobble
together a shoddy assignment. I will see your
shoddy assignment and that will be my first
impression of you as a writer and student. Not
good.
GRADING
1. How will it be graded?
1. The whole project score will be out of 200 points
on ProgressBook.
a. Part One: 25% (50 Points)
b. Part Two: 50% (100 Points)
c. Part Three: 10% (20 Points)
d. Part Four 15% (30 Points)
OTHER
1. What are your pet peeves in class?
2. Is it all due the first day we get back?
3. What is the summer reading book list for AP
classes? Or Honors classes?
4. What is the summer assignment for West
Orange for incoming Juniors?
5. Will they be good books?
1. Students who are habitually absent. Students who
are habitually absent and then don’t get their work
the next day. Students who try to get the work the
next day but DURING the current days work.
Students who only try to get their missed work at
the end of the marking period. Lazy people in
general. Students who come to class unprepared.
Students who think they can get away with not
reading. Mean/Cruel/Crass children.
a. Things I like: Students who are present
and ready to learn. Students who come to
class prepared; reading completed, ready
to discuss/work. Funny children. Strange
children. Kind children. Hard workers.
People who don’t let perceived
inadequacies interfere with their
motivation to learn.
2. Yes. Due date is DAY ONE of school. On time is
ready to turn in AT DOOR upon entering.
3. All other course summer reading can be located
on the CCHS website summer reading page here.
4. West Orange Summer Reading here
5. I think they are GREAT books. How to Read Lit is
a fantastic text that teaches you a great deal. I
read it in college and wondered why I hadn’t been
introduced to it in high school because it would
have helped so much. The Metamorphosis is
iconic and strange and amazing. Jane Eyre is
lovely and wonderful and a favorite. So even if
you don’t like it, still read it entirely and pretend to
like it.