AP Lit and Comp Summer Reading Assignment

• Review the syllabus and expectations
• Choose which Bootcamp dates you are going to attend
• July 16th: 9-11am 
• July 23rd: 9-11am
• July 30th: 12:30-2:30pm
• August 6th: 12:30-2:30pm
• Review the “Titles from Open Response Questions” packet and choose one full length literature work to read and be ready to present by the first week of school (I’ll let you have a partner for this work and presentation)  You will create a Notes page for this book to share with your class.
• Choose 1 independent book that you believe could be a nice addition to add to our AP Literature discussions.  Be ready to discuss and present your choice to the class by the first week of school.
• Read The Great Gatsby  by the first Bootcamp date you choose and begin working on the Notes (attached-can work on notes during Bootcamp must be completed by the first week of school)
• Read Wuthering Heights by the first week of school and complete the Notes (attached)

Email me with any questions or concerns rachel.salisbury@cambridgecsd.org

I will also create a Google Classroom to use over the summer and during the school year to help all of us keep on track and for you to use as a place to discuss the literature works with one another.  I am really looking forward to this class! It is challenging, there is a lot of work, but I believe it is a great experience; especially for those that truly love literature.

AP Literature and Composition 

Reading and Notes Guide for The Great Gatsby 

DUE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Practicing our close-reading skills in a timely fashion is one of our main goals for this course. When we write after reading, we are much more likely to remember it. Writing also helps us to focus our thinking about a text and articulate our thoughts. You will be completing a notes page/packet for each text you read in this course outside of class. This packet is due on the day indicated in the syllabus, no exceptions. Unlike the analysis papers, there is no wiggle-room for due dates of the notes. If you do not complete the assigned work on time, it will be difficult to have a fruitful discussion, and discussions are the basis of this course. For each text, you will focus on a different writing technique. Your notes will be used to craft your paper and for your test/prompt on the day the book is due. This year we will be looking at our texts focusing on a variety of elements including: Setting, Storytelling, Characterization, Narrative Structure, Historical/Social/Cultural Context, Symbolism etc..For The Great Gatsby you will determine your focus(es) for this book with an additional emphasis on the way F.Scott Fitzgerald portrays socio-economic status. 

While Reading…

• Keep a running list of the characters in the book, with brief descriptions for each one
• Write a brief summary of each chapter 
• Decide on two elements of focus and note their usage throughout the novel
• Choose a literary theory to use as a lens to help you as well

After Reading…

Make sure to support all of your observations with evidence from the text; quotations are best (with page number). 

• Theme: in at least a page with quotations for support, consider one MEANING of the text what is Fitzgerald’s  purpose, point or message? What are the readers meant to learn from the events of the novel?
• Choose one of the elements that you noted throughout the text and write a one page paper with quotations on how these elements enhance the meaning of the novel. 

Do not wait until the last minute to do all of this work. Keep in mind that this is a college level course, and that procrastination will not help you to succeed in college. These notes are intended to help you become more thoughtful close-readers, which is an important skill not only for the AP test, but also for college and for life. 

Note on Plagiarism…

As you are well aware at this point, we do not tolerate plagiarism in this school. This is considered cheating, and will be treated as such. We are familiar with Spark Notes and other such summary websites, and we check them. If you do consult the internet for scholarly opinions about the novel, then you must include a Works Cited page with your notes. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a disciplinary referral and may hold other consequences for you. Do not mess with your future! 

AP Literature and Composition 

Reading and Notes Guide for Wuthering Heights 

DUE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Practicing our close-reading skills in a timely fashion is one of our main goals for this course. When we write after reading, we are much more likely to remember it. Writing also helps us to focus our thinking about a text and articulate our thoughts. You will be completing a notes page/packet for each text you read in this course outside of class. This packet is due on the day indicated in the syllabus, no exceptions. Unlike the analysis papers, there is no wiggle-room for due dates of the notes. If you do not complete the assigned work on time, it will be difficult to have a fruitful discussion, and discussions are the basis of this course. For each text, you will focus on a different writing technique. Your notes will be used to craft your paper and for your test/prompt on the day the book is due. This year we will be looking at our texts focusing on a variety of elements including: Setting, Storytelling, Characterization, Narrative Structure, Historical/Social/Cultural Context, Symbolism etc..For Wuthering Heights you will determine your focus(es) for this book with an additional emphasis on the way Emily Bronte portrays socio-economic status. 

While Reading…

• Keep a running list of the characters in the book, with brief descriptions for each one
• Write a brief summary of each chapter 
• Decide on two elements of focus and note their usage throughout the novel
• Choose a literary theory to use as a lens to help you as well

After Reading…

Make sure to support all of your observations with evidence from the text; quotations are best (with page number). 

• Symbolism: in at least a page with quotations for support, consider the symbolism that is  throughout the text; what symbols do you notice, what do they represent and how does the symbolism add to the meaning of the text?  Discuss 3-4 symbols and their meanings in this page.
• Choose one of the elements that you noted throughout the text and write a one page paper with quotations on how these elements enhance the meaning of the novel. 

Do not wait until the last minute to do all of this work. Keep in mind that this is a college level course, and that procrastination will not help you to succeed in college. These notes are intended to help you become more thoughtful close-readers, which is an important skill not only for the AP test, but also for college and for life. 

Note on Plagiarism…

As you are well aware at this point, we do not tolerate plagiarism in this school. This is considered cheating, and will be treated as such. We are familiar with Spark Notes and other such summary websites, and we check them. If you do consult the internet for scholarly opinions about the novel, then you must include a Works Cited page with your notes. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a disciplinary referral and may hold other consequences for you. Do not mess with your future!