AP Literature and Composition

Mr. Armstrong
Summer Reading Assignment

2015-2016

Assignment #1-Read How to Read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster and then read one of
the following works:
Brave New World- Huxley
The Bell Jar- Plath
The Kite Runner- Hosseini
A Handmaids Tale- Atwood
A Clockwork Orange- Burgess
The Awakening- Chopin
Then choose three chapters from How to Read Literature like a Professor and apply them to
your selected reading. Then write a 1 to 2 page analysis of each selected chapter from HTRLLAP and
how the content discussed in the chapter applies to your selected novel.
For example, if you choose the chapter Geography Matters in HTRLLAP you will write a 1 to 2
page analysis of the role geography plays in your selected reading.
Each response is worth 10 points.

Formulat
ion of
Analysis
Support
of
Analysis

6 to 7
Student
response
shows no
evidence
of analysis
Student
analysis is
not
logically
supported
by
evidence
and/or
clear
rationale.
The
presentati
on is
immature
and
riddled
with
errors.

8 to 8.5
Student
response
shows
attempt at
analysis
Student
makes
attempt at
supporting
analysis,
but
evidence /
rationale is
disjointed /
irrelevant/n
ot present.
The
presentatio
n is often
marked
with
mistakes

9 to 10
Student
response shows
clear analysis
Student analysis
is logically
supported by
clear, relevant
evidence and
rationale. The
presentation is
well- crafted and
makes use of
mature writing
conventions.

Assignment #1 is due on
Monday July 13th by
2pm.All assignments are
to be dropped off in the
RHS main office. If
circumstances prohibit
you from dropping off
your assignment by July
13 please email me ASAP.
Late assignments will
not be accepted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Assignment #2-Read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Complete the following

1. What is the tone of opening pages of The Road ( stop at the line He
said : God never spoke.? Use three pieces of text evidence to support your
description of the tone. In the right column hypothesize why the tone is such.
Furthermore, consider how the tone of the opening passage may influence
the work as a whole. Create the grid below to chart your findings. (5points)
The tone of the opening passage is:
Textual Evidence:

Hypothesis:

2.What is the tone of closing pages of The Road ( start at the lineHe
went down the road as far as he dared Use three pieces of text evidence
to support your description of the tone. (Take note of the imagery used. How
is it similar to the imagery in the opening pages? How does the imagery
contrast? In the right column hypothesize why the tone is such.
Furthermore, consider how the tone of the closing pages may influence the
work as a whole. Create the grid below to chart your findings. (5 points)
Create the grid below to chart your findings.
The tone of the opening passage is:
Textual Evidence:

Hypothesis:

3. After reading The Road consider the following: Is the novel a hopeful one?
Or is it a bleak portrayal of human experience? Use three piece of text
evidence to support your response. Make sure your text evidence comes

from different parts of the novel. Also, smoothly work your text evidence into
your analysis. No block quotes! Your evidence should be a small sampling ( a
word or phrase). Your response should be 1.5 to 2 pages. (10 points)
*You will find a list of tonal words attached to this packet to help you with
assignment#2.
**No formal MLA heading (which conveniently chews up a quarter of the
page) is needed.
***Students are required to bring assignment#2 and their copy of The Road
to the first day of class. There will be a reading comprehension test on The
Road which will require you to read selected passages from the novel.
Below is a list of AP literary terms that you must know for this course. Some
of these terms will appear on The Road test.
AP Literature & Composition Literary Terms to Know
Lyric Poetry
Ballad

Simile
Metaphor

Epigram

Personification

Ode

Synecdoche

Epigraph

Metonymy

Allegory

Hyperbole

Diction

Polysyndeton

Syntax

Paradox

Tone

Oxymoron

Mood

Foreshadow

Prose

Onomatopoeia

Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Denouement
Foil character
Round character
Flat character
Contrast Imagery
Sensory Imagery

Tone Vocabulary List

Positive Tone/Attitude Words
Amiable
Consoling Friendly
Playful
Amused
Content
Happy
Pleasant
Appreciative
Dream
Hopeful
Proud
Authoritative
Ecstatic
Impassioned Relaxed
Benevolent
Elated
Jovial
Reverent
Brave
Elevated
Joyful
Romantic
Calm
Encouraging Jubilant
Soothing
Cheerful
Energetic Lighthearted Surprised
Cheery
Enthusiastic
Loving
Sweet
Compassionate Excited
Optimistic Sympathetic
Complimentary Exuberant Passionate Vibrant
Confident
Fanciful
Peaceful
Whimsical
Negative Tone/Attitude Words
Accusing
Choleric
Furious
Quarrelsome
Aggravated
Coarse
Harsh
Shameful
Agitated
Cold
Haughty
Smooth
Angry
Condemnatory Hateful Snooty
Apathetic
Condescending Hurtful Superficial
Arrogant
Contradictory Indignant
Surly
Artificial
Critical
Inflammatory Testy
Audacious
Desperate Insulting
Threatening
Belligerent
Disappointed Irritated Tired
Bitter
Disgruntled
Manipulative Uninterested
Boring
Disgusted Obnoxious Wrathful
Brash
Disinterested Outraged
Childish
Facetious Passive
Humor-Irony-Sarcasm Tone/Attitude Words

Amused
Droll
Mock-heroic
Sardonic
Bantering Facetious Mocking
Satiric
Bitter
Flippant
Mock-serious
Scornful
Caustic
Giddy
Patronizing
Sharp
Comical
Humorous Pompous
Silly
Condescending Insolent
Quizzical
Taunting
Contemptuous Ironic
Ribald
Teasing
Critical
Irreverent Ridiculing
Whimsical
Cynical
Joking
Sad
Wry
Disdainful Malicious Sarcastic

Sorrow-Fear-Worry Tone/Attitude Words

Aggravated
Embarrassed
Morose
Resigned
Agitated
Fearful
Mournful
Sad
Anxious
Foreboding
Nervous
Serious
Apologetic
Gloomy
Numb
Sober
Apprehensive
Grave
Ominous
Solemn
Concerned
Hollow
Paranoid
Somber
Confused
Hopeless
Pessimistic Staid
Dejected
Horrific
Pitiful
Upset
Depressed
Horror
Poignant
Despairing
Melancholy
Regretful
Disturbed
Miserable
Remorseful
Neutral Tone/Attitude Words
Admonitory
Allusive
Apathetic
Authoritative
Baffled
Callous
Candid
Ceremonial
Clinical
Consoling
Contemplative
Conventional
Detached
Didactic
Disbelieving

Dramatic
Earnest
Expectant
Factual
Fervent
Formal
Forthright
Frivolous
Haughty
Histrionic
Humble
Incredulous
Informative
Inquisitive
Instructive

Intimae
Questioning
Judgmental
Reflective
Learned
Reminiscent
Loud
Resigned
Lyrical
Restrained
Matter-of-fact Seductive
Meditative Sentimental
Nostalgic Serious
Objective Shocking
Obsequious
Sincere
Patriotic
Unemotional
Persuasive Urgent
Pleading
Vexed
Pretentious Wistful
Provocative
Zealous

A. 8 Journal Entries (approximately 100 words per journal entry). ( 24 total points)
As you read, use closereading techniques (keeping a journal, taking marginal notes). Your closereading
may and should prompt ideas for journal entries. Use any of thefollowing starters for journal entries or
come up with your own. Never summarize the text!! All 8journal entries are to be analytical exercises.
Be sure to vary your entry types (do not do the samething over and over again).
Start with a quotationfrom a chapter and comment on it. Why is it important? Extend beyond the
textitself. Ex: maybe the passage is important for a character, but how about us?
Pull out a short scenefrom the text and analyze it. Why it is important? What is revealed, etc.?
Reading between thelines. Sometimes it's what characters don't say that matters. Cite a passageand
explain what's really going on. Be sure to show how you know it.
Analyze the developmentof a dynamic character: how is it she/he grows, learns, etc.? (AP tests arefull of
passages that show character growth).
Cite and explain andironic passage. How does irony function in the work?
Cite a passage andanalyze the author's style: choice of words, syntax, tone, etc. Why do youthink the
author used this style for this work? How effective is the passage atachieving the author's purpose?
**Important Note-For each journal entry please includea photo copy of the page(s) that you are
journaling on. Points will be deductedif the photocopied text is not included.