TO: Next year's AP English students

FROM: Mrs. Erickson

RE: 2006-2007 AP English Class

DATE: June 8, 2006

In a few short months you will be seniors, and our AP English Literature and Composition course will begin. I want to make it very clear what the expectations are for the course before you take off for the summer. I hope you have spoken to members of prior classes so you know what the course entails. 

I would like you to realize the following about this course:

• We will have a demanding reading schedule that will begin during the summer.  We will read and discuss a variety of works that demand a mature level of understanding. You must be willing to read whatever is put in front of you without grumbling and to contribute vibrantly to the class discussion. It is not my goal to get you to “like” everything but to help you explore a variety of genres and themes.
• Members must complete summer reading AND writing assignments. The assignments will be collected the first day of school. If the assignments are not completed, you will need to drop the course. There will also be in-class assessments and activities centered on these pieces.
• We will write often about the works we discuss, and you must present your ideas in an organized, cogent manner as required in a college freshman course.
• You are expected to remain in the course for the entire year and take the AP exam next May at a personal expense of approximately $85.

With all of the above ideas in mind, below are your summer assignments. There are both reading and writing assignments. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!!

READING AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

Part A — Reading Assignments: The following readings reflect a conscious attempt to expose you to a variety of literature: ancient, 19th century, and contemporary. Read thoughtfully the following pieces. In addition to the writing assignments (please type them), there will be an in-class assessment of the pieces.

• Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, Edith Hamilton — The myths and legends of the ancient Western world are a keystone of our culture. These stories of gods and heroes have inspired human creativity through history. Hamilton's renowned classic will help us review the spellbinding tales that are so much a part of literature, art, music, and culture in general. Writing assignment: Maintain an ongoing list of the key characters or places you encounter in the tales and descriptive phrases about each. (Be reasonable. Make judgments about whom and what is the most important. You should end up with a list of around 100 characters/places.) Create a chart that will help you remember the characters and places.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde — An incredibly handsome young man in Victorian England keeps his youthful appearance over the years even as he pursues a life of decadence and corruption. His portrait, however, reflects both his age and evil soul. A look at the tension between the polished surface of high society and the life of secret vice. Writing assignment: Pretend that you have been asked to write a letter of recommendation for Dorian Gray. He wants to attend Malevolent University, and you agree he would be an excellent candidate for the school. (Note: The university’s name reflects the school’s values.) Take on any persona you wish for yourself, but use evidence and details from the book to support your recommendation. Make the letter a creative, well-written response.
• Read ONE of the following books:
  • Life of Pi (Yann Martel): On the way from India to Canada, teenager Pi finds himself drifting in a lifeboat when the ship sinks. He is alone, except for a few surviving zoo animals, who will tear him to pieces if they get a chance. A story of survival and faith in extremely difficult situations.
  • The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini): A poignant tale of two motherless boys growing up in Kabul, a city teetering on the brink of destruction at the dawn of the Soviet invasion. The story takes readers from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy.
  • Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy): Hardy’s moving and memorable story of love, seduction, betrayal, and murder tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a beautiful young woman living with her impoverished family in Wessex County, England. A compassionate portrait of a young rural woman, a powerful criticism of social convention, and a consideration of the role of destiny in human life.

Writing assignment: Write four (4) one-page journal entries, responding to the events of the book WHILE you are reading the book and one (1) entry AFTER reading the book. What are your thoughts about what happens? How does the book stretch your mind and make you consider new ideas? How does the book connect to you or to something you have heard, read, or seen? Offer evidence from the book to support your connections. Write thoughtful, reflective responses that show your progression of ideas throughout the book.

Part B — College Essay: Look at the applications of the schools to which you may apply this fall. Choose one of the essay questions from an application and write an essay on that topic (no more than 500 words). If you are stuck for a question, look at the Common Application and use one of the topics under the Personal Statement section.

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