St Benedict at Auburndale
Summer Reading 2008-2009
Please note the following information that is included for the Summer Reading program:
I. ASSIGNED READING
Freshmen (Honors, Traditional, and PLUS) |
A Separate Peace by John Knowles |
Sophomores (Honors, Traditional, and PLUS) |
Puddin’Head Wilson by Mark Twain |
Juniors (Honors, Traditional, and PLUS) |
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde |
Seniors (Honors, Traditional, and PLUS) |
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe |
AP Seniors |
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy |
AP Juniors |
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster The Canterbury Tales from British Literature textbook |
II. DATA PACKET INFORMATION (9th – 12th)
After purchasing and reading the appropriate book, all students are to complete the required four-page data packet (click here to print) which will be turned in to your English teacher on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Responses must be handwritten. (The graded data packets will count 20% of the summer reading test grade.)
Packets will be graded according to the following criteria:
(a) genre and its characteristics,
(b) adjectives from book that describe the character,
(c) setting, related works for discussion,
(d) other titles that could have been used,
(f) and themes for discussion.
III. SPECIFICS FOR NON-AP STUDENTS (9th-12th)
Testing Information
(a) Class discussion of the assigned book will precede testing.
(b) A multiple-choice test on the assigned reading will be given early in the first nine weeks on a date set by the English Department. The test (including the 20% for the data packets) will count a maximum of 10% of the first quarter grade.
Writing Information
During the first nine weeks of school, students will be required to write a paper over some aspect of the summer reading.
IV. SPECIFICS FOR AP SENIORS
(a) First, as indicated in Section II above, complete the required data packet on the assigned novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge.
(b) Then, write one essay based (worth 100 points) on the prompt below. Both the data packet and the essay are due on Wednesday, August 20, 2008.
(c) Essay Requirements:
(d) Prompt for Essay:
Critic Roland Barthes has said, “Literature is the question minus the answer.” Considering Barthes’ observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question raised in The Mayor of Casterbridge and the extent to which the novel offers any answers. Explain how Hardy’s treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary.
Testing Information
A multiple-choice test on the novel will be given early in the first nine weeks on a date set by the English Department. The test will count 100 points. (Remember that the data packet counts toward your test grade as well. The data packet on The Mayor of Casterbridge will count 20% of the multiple choice test.)
Essay Revising Opportunity
You may submit rough drafts to Ms. Baker prior to August 1, 2008. Rough drafts will be read and suggestions given for improvement for the final draft, which is due on August 20. To submit your draft papers, e-mail Ms. Baker at bakerb@sbaeagles.org and attach your document in a WORD file.
Grading
The total (possible 200 points) of the two major requirements---the test (including the 20% for the data packet) and the essay---will count a maximum of 20% of the first quarter grade.
V. SPECIFICS FOR AP JUNIORS
(a) Read How to Read Literature Like a Professor and complete the study guide (click here to print the study guide). You do not have to do a data packet on this work; you will not be tested on this work.
(b) ASSIGNMENT #1 (100 points)
Read Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor. As you read, complete the short writing assignments for each chapter. These writings will be somewhat informal and you can use outside books and films for your examples.
(c) DATA PACKET: Complete a data packet on your readings from The Canterbury Tales; you will be tested on them (100 points.) (As indicated in the Section II above, the data packet counts 20% of your test grade.)
(d) ASSIGNMENT #2 (100 Points)
In your British Literature textbook, read from The Canterbury Tales: “The Prologue,” “The Nun’s Priest Tale,” and “The Pardoner’s Tale.”
Then, in a well organized essay, answer the following question:
“The Online Britannica Encyclopedia defines human nature as “The fundamental dispositions and traits of humans. Theories about the nature of humankind form a part of every culture. In the West, debate has traditionally centered on whether humans are selfish and competitive or social and altruistic. Recent research in genetics, evolutionary biology, and cultural anthropology suggests that humans may be both.”
How does Chaucer display human nature in The Canterbury Tales? What conclusions can you draw from this portrayal?
Your essay must:
Essay Revising Opportunity
You may submit rough drafts to Mrs. Skierczynski prior to August 1, 2008. Rough drafts will be read and suggestions given for improvement for the final draft, which is due on August 20. To submit your draft papers, e-mail Mrs. Skierczynski at skierczynskim@sbaeagles.org and attach your document in a WORD file.
Grading Information
The total (possible 300 points) of the three major requirements --- (the test on The Canterbury Tales, the essay, and the chapter by chapter assignment on Foster’s text) --- will count a maximum of 20% of the first quarter grade.
If you have any questions about the summer reading, please contact Betsy Baker at bakerb@sbaeagles.org or thelastphoenix@comcast.net.