AP Literature and Composition
Mrs. Elaine Miller
Summer Reading 2012
for Incoming AP Literature and Composition Students-Grade 12
Dear Students,
The Language Arts Summer Study Program is an important feature of Language Arts classes at
Green High School. GHS Language Arts teachers take the summer program very seriously and expect all
students to have completed the assignments by the time the new school year begins.
In order to receive full credit, students must bring the required assignments and books with them to
the first day of Language Arts class in August.
1. Read and take notes on How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster. Bring these notes
to class the first day of school. You need to be prepared to discuss this book.
2. Read Poisonwood Bible, Things Fall Apart, and a book of your choice from the list below. Then,
complete the following information sheet for each book. Make sure each section is clearly labeled. This
may be handwritten or typed and turned in the first day of school. Be prepared to write an in class essay
the first week of school over these novels.
A. Historical information: When does the novel take place and what socially or culturally
significant events are occurring?
B. Biographical information: What are some important facts about the author?
C. Characteristics of the genre: What is the genre of the book and what are the characteristics of
that genre?
D. Plot Summary: What are the main or most important events that occur in the novel?
E. Author’s Style: Describe the author’s syntax and diction. If you don’t know what these mean or
how to apply them, just describe how the author describes events and/or characters.
F. An example: Give a quote from the text that you feel exemplifies their style.
G. Memorable Quotes: You may need to complete this on a separate sheet of paper. Write down
15 quotes from the beginning, middle and end of the novel and explain why they are important
to one of the following:
Character, Setting, Conflict, Theme or a Literary Device such as Simile,
Metaphor, Personification, Imagery, Symbolism, or Allusion (Try to apply
each term at least once)
H. Characters: Write down the name, role and significance of the main characters and 2-3
adjectives that describe each character.
I. Setting: The specific time, place and era the novel takes place.
J. Symbols: Any objects, people, or places that you feel are representative of something else.
Make sure you tell me the symbol as well as what it symbolizes or represents.
K. Possible Themes: What are three possible themes? Remember a theme is what the author is
trying to show us about human nature or life. What can we all relate to?
L. Significance of the opening scene: Why is the opening scene important? What does it set up or
how does it add to the rest of the novel?
M. Significance of the closing scene? Why is the closing scene important? How does it conclude
the novel or what message does it leave us with?
Books Required:
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas Foster
Choose one additional novel:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Home by Toni Morrison
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf