Summer+Reading

**Summer Reading 2013 ** **Ms. Blackwelder ** This class is the equivalent of a first-year college composition course and is designed to develop your ability to write college-level expository essays and research papers, as well as to understand and interpret college-level readings across disciplines. Readings will be primarily nonfiction prose and will serve both as writing prompts and as models of accomplished expository writing. This is a reading and writing intensive course. To achieve success in AP English IV, you will be expected to engage in independent, close readings of complex texts containing controversial ideas that challenge common assumptions and beliefs; you will be expected to write, often and in multiple drafts, expository essays in which you use examples and evidence to support thesis ideas that you will generate and develop. Furthermore, students are expected to participate in class discussion, peer editing and revision, and in-class publication of their writing. The AP English IV summer reading assignment requires you to //read and thoroughly annotate// the following two nonfiction books: 1.) //On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft// by Stephen King. 2.) //Into Thin Air// by John Krakauer I strongly suggest you purchase copies of these books so that you can annotate them extensively (highlight, underline, add marginal notes, etc.) and take note of important passages that you will want to use in the written portion of this assignment. When reading your annotations, I should be able to see your thought process; approximately every page should have notes in the margins and important parts highlighted (side note: simply highlighting will only earn you half credit; I need to see actual notes in the margins). If the books are borrowed, you should annotate the books using sticky notes or another non-destructive method. We will utilize both books in the first couple weeks of class, so please keep this in mind if you are checking out from the library. After reading and annotating the two books above, complete the following written assignments, which consist of writing three essays of 2-3 pages each (double-spaced). Do not exceed 3 pages for any of these essays; anything beyond 3 pages will not be scored. Restricting the amount you write for these assignments will require you to go beyond the superficial and to analyze only pertinent points. Be sure to develop a thesis and to support it with textual evidence in each essay. Cite the text in your essays using parenthetical citations with the author’s last name and the page number of the quote. If you are unsure as to how to do this, you may go online to Purdue’s Online Writing Lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. You must include signal phrases before any quoted material and you are required to illustrate how that text proves your thesis. Do not use outside sources to assist you with your analyses. Please be aware that this summer assignment will count as a test grade. My expectations for AP students are extremely high; I expect a well-polished product when you submit your writing. Keep in mind that this class is geared to earn you college credit, so I expect your work to be representative of that level of achievement. These summer assignments are the first glimpses I will have into your abilities as a reader, thinker, and writer. As such, make sure that the impression I receive from your writing represents quality work and effort. What you submit should clearly show that you have given your writing critical thought, that you have proofread your work, and that you have revised your work. Please plan accordingly this summer to ensure that you complete all of the requirements prior to the first day of class.
 * AP English IV: Language & Composition **
 * A Brief Description of the AP Language and Composition Course **
 * The AP English IV Summer Reading Assignment **
 * Deadline: ** All assignments are due on the first day of class. There is no flexibility in this deadline; you will receive a 0 on this assignment if it is not turned in on day 1. All assignments must be typed, using Times New Roman 12 font.
 * Assignment Details: **
 * 1.) **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;"> In a well-written essay, analyze King’s style in //On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft//. In this essay, you will reflect on King’s writing process and compare/contrast it to your own writing process to date. You may wish to reflect on previous writing that you have completed in school and/or independent writing that you have done outside of school for personal enrichment or other purposes.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">2.) **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;"> Write a well-written essay based on John Krakauer’s experience in //Into Thin Air//, focusing on how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid plot summary and use textual evidence to support your points.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">3.) **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;"> Write a well-written essay in which you analyze the nonfiction writing techniques used by both King and Krakauer in their respective books. Examples could include such techniques as narrative, structure, characterization, dialogue, pacing, transitions, tone, style, etc.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Final Thoughts **