Welcome to Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition!
Please read the works listed below during the summer:
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Translated by Constance Garnett
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
All books can be found in bookstores and libraries.
DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS:
1. Reading Journal
A. Schedule: Design a reading schedule and deadlines. Write it down on page one of your journal.
B. Double – Entry Journal: Fold several loose-leaf pages in half vertically to make two equally long columns. Label the left hand column Quotes and the right hand column Connection.
As you read, choose 15 quotes per novel that are significant (in terms of character development, motifs, or theme). Copy the quotes into the left-hand column.
In the right-hand column, write a reflection on the importance of the quote.
C. If possible, meet with others in the class and discuss:
1. Themes
2. Character development
3. Use of language and structure of the work
4. Your understanding and enjoyment of books and literature
Keep a record of these meetings and discussions, and print out e-mails or messages to include in your journal. Journal may be stapled together or bound in a three-prong folder.
No spiral notebooks, please.
2. Paper
Write a paper of three to four pages (typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 point font, Times New Roman) in which you discuss the three works you have read in response to the following quotation by Franz Kafka:
“A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
In other words, write about what each of these novels have revealed to you about yourself. The paper must be structured and well organized. This is a personal essay, and therefore should be written in first person. Please do not use outside sources for this paper. Do use specific examples and quotations from the novels to support your points (use MLA citation). Please read the page on plagiarism in the Student Handbook. I will collect both assignments on the first day of class. They will count as a substantial part of your first quarter grade. If for any reason, you will not be in class on the first day, I expect you to send in your journal and paper with a friend, or drop it off in the front office prior to the start of school.
Please come back to school ready with discussion topics and questions. Be prepared for a quiz over each of the works the first week of school. I look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions or concerns over the summer, please e-mail me (put “AP English” in the subject line) at [email protected]
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Nowinski
2019
Please read the works listed below during the summer:
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Translated by Constance Garnett
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
All books can be found in bookstores and libraries.
DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS:
1. Reading Journal
A. Schedule: Design a reading schedule and deadlines. Write it down on page one of your journal.
B. Double – Entry Journal: Fold several loose-leaf pages in half vertically to make two equally long columns. Label the left hand column Quotes and the right hand column Connection.
As you read, choose 15 quotes per novel that are significant (in terms of character development, motifs, or theme). Copy the quotes into the left-hand column.
In the right-hand column, write a reflection on the importance of the quote.
C. If possible, meet with others in the class and discuss:
1. Themes
2. Character development
3. Use of language and structure of the work
4. Your understanding and enjoyment of books and literature
Keep a record of these meetings and discussions, and print out e-mails or messages to include in your journal. Journal may be stapled together or bound in a three-prong folder.
No spiral notebooks, please.
2. Paper
Write a paper of three to four pages (typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12 point font, Times New Roman) in which you discuss the three works you have read in response to the following quotation by Franz Kafka:
“A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us.”
In other words, write about what each of these novels have revealed to you about yourself. The paper must be structured and well organized. This is a personal essay, and therefore should be written in first person. Please do not use outside sources for this paper. Do use specific examples and quotations from the novels to support your points (use MLA citation). Please read the page on plagiarism in the Student Handbook. I will collect both assignments on the first day of class. They will count as a substantial part of your first quarter grade. If for any reason, you will not be in class on the first day, I expect you to send in your journal and paper with a friend, or drop it off in the front office prior to the start of school.
Please come back to school ready with discussion topics and questions. Be prepared for a quiz over each of the works the first week of school. I look forward to seeing you. If you have any questions or concerns over the summer, please e-mail me (put “AP English” in the subject line) at [email protected]
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Nowinski
2019
Expectations
Works
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Various short stories and poems from textbook
Macbeth by William Shakespeare (paperback provided)
Othello by William Shakespeare (in textbook)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (in textbook)
A novel will be assigned over Christmas break.
Expectations
You are expected to come to class prepared and on time. Have all reading assignments completed before you come to class. You need to bring your books, notebook, blue or black ink pens, number 2 pencil, folder and loose-leaf paper to class every day.
Jesus said it best, “… ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself’” (Luke 10:27). You are expected to treat everyone in the classroom with consideration and respect.
All school rules will be enforced. Please consult your student handbook.
Grades
Your grade will be based on the following:
1. Tests
Tests will be composed of two parts. Part I will consist of multiple-choice, matching, and true or false questions. Part II will be one or more essay questions. Each section will be graded separately.
2. Quizzes
Quizzes will be given over literary terms, vocabulary words, and assigned reading.
3. Homework and Presentations
You will also write personal, expository, analytical, and argumentative essays, as well as some creative writing. You will keep a notebook with daily journal entries, and be responsible for completing class and home assignments. If you are absent, you must make up the journal entry. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. No electronic submissions will be accepted.
4. Class participation
You are expected to participate in class discussions by making relevant comments and asking good questions. You are also expected to take daily notes.
Absences
If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to make up the work you have missed. If you miss class because of a field trip, college day, or other planned appointment, you must notify me in advance. Any assignments due the day of your absence must be turned in that day, or before you leave.
If you miss a test, you must see me before or after class to schedule a time to take the test.
IF YOU ARE ABSENT THE DAY BEFORE A TEST, YOU MUST STILL TAKE THE TEST.
You will be given notice of the test well in advance of the test date, so be prepared!
Late Work
I follow the late work policy as stated in the handbook.
Rough drafts will undergo the peer editing process on the due date; therefore rough drafts will not be accepted late. If you do not bring a rough draft to class, you will receive a zero.
Extra Help
I am available after school by appointment if you need extra help with your assignments.
AP Exam
You are expected to take the AP Literature and Composition Exam in the spring. The test fee is usually $90-$95. If you choose not to take the exam, the AP designation will be removed from your transcript and replaced with Senior Literature Honors. Not every college or university accepts AP scores. Please check with your program on the AP policy.