Summer Reading Assessment: AP Language and Composition PART I: NONFICTION READING Outliers: The Story of Success: Malcolm Gladwell Your Summer Reading has four components outlined in A-D. A. Read the book. B. Dialectical Journal: “Dialectical” means “conversational”—so a dialectical journal is a conversation, between you and the text. The dialectical journal as two key components: passage (should include direct text evidence, but may also include summarization) + correct MLA citation and the reader’s commentary on the passage. There are multiple purposes to this assignment: it shows the teacher (that’s me) your own thoughts and ideas while you read it over the summer, it helps keep your informal writing in practice, it helps you review for your in-class essay, and it helps you prepare for any discussions that we’ll have. Use this to your advantage (but don’t just rewrite the book—there are a lot of issues with doing that).
Sample Dialectical Journal Entry Passage “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 2).
My Brilliant Thoughts Well, Patrick Henry sure was an extremist. He also creates an “either, or” logical fallacy here, making it seem like there are only two options. Then again, that also adds a certain amount of drama and flair to his work. Did he really feel this passionately about it, or was he trying to just ignite the colonists? Why “liberty” and not “freedom”?
Journal Ideas • Write down things that catch your attention, and identify why it catches your attention. • Make connections to your own life (“Give me coffee or give me Death!” I saw that on a t-shirt). • Ask questions about the text. • Try agreeing/arguing with the writer—write down those ideas. • Consider his statements from other people’s perspectives: The Church, other cultures, etc. • Consider the author’s purpose or agenda in certain passages. Really, really try to type this sucker up. I know formatting can be frustrating, but hey, I’m not getting any younger, and frankly it’s hard for me to read your handwriting sometimes. If you prefer to write it, make sure it’s super neat so you can use it on your in-class essay (and so my eyes don’t cross). This journal will be graded, along with your essay. Make sure you include detailed, meaningful passages. Use thoughtful commentary, write ideas about diction, imagery, syntax, make personal connections, and fully cover the text. Again, you’re using these notes in your in-class essay, soooo…yeah. You read between the lines there. C. Flashcards: for the following literary terms. On the front, write the term. On the back, write the definition and an example of it from Outliers. 1. Deductive 2. Inductive 3. Exemplification 4. Cause/Effect 5. Description 6. Process Analysis 7. Narration 8. Comparison/Contrast 9. Exposition 10. Persuasion 11. Repetition 12. Syllogism
D. In-Class Essay: On the second day of class, you will write a free-response question (AP’s timed essay) on a prompt. You will need your annotated book and any notes you have taken as you read. You may bring a prepared outline or plan, but you may not bring a completed essay. This essay will be your first grade in AP Language—come prepared, kiddos. Early in Outliers, Gladwell quotes Robert Winthrop on Benjamin Franklin. “Look at the image of a man,” he said, “who rose from nothing, who owed nothing to parentage or patronage…” Gladwell writes in response that “people don’t rise from nothing” and that “we do owe something to parentage and patronage,” as well as a myriad of other factors. Define Gladwell’s point of view on the issue of success and its origins, based on your reading. Then, in a carefully crafted essay, support or challenge Gladwell’s point of view, using examples from your reading and your own knowledge.
PART II: AP PRACTICE Please purchase your own copy of Barron's AP English Language and Composition, 6th Edition (Barron's AP English Language & Composition). See: http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-English-Language-CompositionEdition/dp/1438004966/ref=dp_ob_title_bk There are brand-spanking new ones for $12.62, and others that are “like new” for as low as $6.57. Save yourself a Starbucks drink one day and purchase this. If you need help purchasing this, let me know! Please note—it DOES need to be this edition. You will be working through this during the summer, and we’ll be working through it together throughout the school year. You need to read through “Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with the Test” (take notes over questions you’ve got) and take the Diagnostic Test that starts on page 33. • Grade yourself (don’t worry, no judgment here and it will NOT be for a grade in class) • Bring your book to class on the FIRST day so I can check for completion—and keep it in your locker. We’ll be doing a lot of practices during the school year. Failing to do this part of the summer assignment can really put you behind in the class. Doing it over the summer will expose you to the AP course at your own pace and in your own time. We won’t have time to cover these things in depth during the school year, so make sure you do it while you’ve got the time. Please write down ALL the questions you’ve got! We’ll go over those on Day 3 of class after we take a quiz over Chapter 1. So, here’s what you need prepared the first week of school: Day 1: Part 1 Journal and flashcards; Part II Diagnostic Test Day 2: Your journal (you’ll get it returned) and your Outliers book for the in-class essay Day 3: Quiz over “Chapter 1: Getting Acquainted with the Test” after we go over any questions you’ve got about this chapter. Potential fishbowl using your notes and Outliers book. Please note: the expectations of an AP are high. We move quickly, and you are expected to do a lot of independent work and study. If this summer assignment is too complicated for you or if you have difficulty motivating yourself to do this over the summer, this class is not the right fit for you at this time. Failure to meet expectations may result in conversations with the counselors about your rearranging your schedule. Happy reading and writing! Please let me know if you have ANY questions! -Miss O’Banion mo’
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