AP Language & Composition
Summer Assignment
In
order to prepare for AP Language and Composition, you will need to practice
your critical reading and writing skills throughout the summer. You will
have two books to read and annotate, followed by an assignment for each. You
are welcome to purchase your own copies of the two texts you will be reading or
you can check out copies from me. You may write in the book if you own it
or, if you check out a book from me, Post-it notes or notes on paper/computer
work fine. If you borrow someone
else’s book that has already been annotated, please clearly mark your own
annotations in a different technique or color and label it in the front cover.
Assignment Specifics
Bring your
annotations to class on the first day of school. The written assignments must be submitted to
Turnitin.com before class on the first day. I will email you in August with the Turnitin
enrollment info. The summer assignment will be a large part of your first
quarter grade—do not begin the year with zeros!
- Come
prepared to discuss and be tested over the books you’ve read.
- Annotate
both books – good notes tend to enhance comprehension and retention of
ideas. You will turn in your annotations (either in the book or on
separate paper).
- Assignments
should use MLA style in both formatting (i.e. double-spaced, Times New
Roman, 12 point font) and parenthetical citations. The Purdue OWL is an excellent resource
if you don’t remember the MLA rules.
- If
you decide to buy your books, I recommend Half-Price books, former AP Lang
students, or Amazon used copies.
They are not expensive books (about $10-15 a piece new) but you can
get them for FAR cheaper from these other venues (sometimes as little as $1). Otherwise, I have MANY copies of both
for summer check-out.
Assignment
One
Text: Amusing
Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil
Postman
Tasks:
· Closely read the book. Keep in mind that Postman is creating an
argument here. Your job is not to
agree or disagree with him. As a critical
reader, you should critique his argument. Read closely to
determine what his argument is, how he constructs it, and the strategies he
uses in order to persuade his reader to believe it.
· Postman structures his
argument by clearly defining his thesis in the first two chapters and
supporting it with the rest of the book. After reading the first two chapters,
TYPE a one-page summary of his main
idea—the point he will argue for the rest of the book.
· As you read the rest
of the book, choose 10 passages from a variety of chapters that strike you as
important to his argument. They can be
passages that you think strengthen his argument or passages that you feel
weaken it. TYPE the quotes out with an MLA citation that shows where the quote
came from. Then write a paragraph for each quote explaining why you noticed the
passage, how it connects to Postman’s argument, and what is interesting about
the way he wrote it. You will end up
with a total of 10 quotes accompanied by
10 paragraphs.
· If you need help getting started on your paragraphs, consider
these questions:
§ Why does the passage impress, intrigue, horrify, or
puzzle you?
§ Do you find the author’s use of language appealing or
powerful?
§ Do you find yourself in agreement/disagreement with
the ideas expressed?
§ Does the passage remind you of a situation you have
lived as well?
§ Does the passage make you laugh out loud? Make you
angry?
§ Does the author raise intriguing questions or issues?
§ Does the passage challenge or expand your thinking?
You are not limited to the above list, nor do I expect you to
answer all of the above. But your responses to the passages should clearly
explain to me WHY these passages mean something to you, WHY these
passages caught your attention, and HOW these passages illustrate
Postman’s ideas.
Assignment Two
Text: Fast
Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser
Tasks:
· Closely read the text.
Again, keep in mind that your reading isn’t about whether you agree or disagree
with Schlosser, just that you notice and think about the way he constructs his
argument and attempts to sway his readers’ opinions. Determine whether
his strategies are successful and come up with reasons for that success or
failure.
· In two pages,
show how Schlosser utilizes each of the three tenets of rhetoric (ethos,
pathos, and logos). Split the pages evenly among the tenets so that
you cover all three equally. Remember, you should NOT summarize his argument—I know what
his argument is. Instead, analyze his
use of ethos, pathos, and logos to advance his argument(s) in the book. Be
sure to include quotes from the text
to support your argument and illustrate your ideas. Document them using MLA style.
· Possible questions to
address: By using this tenet of rhetoric, is Schlosser’s argument made stronger/weaker? How? Why does he use this rhetorical tenet?
Does the argument lend itself to this particular appeal?
Other Important Information
FYI: The textbook we’ll use is Everything’s an Argument with Readings by Andrea A. Lunsford, John J.
Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters
ISBN: 0312407246. This is the RED
THIRD EDITION. You are not required
to purchase your own textbook but some AP students find it valuable and
convenient to make notes right in their book. The book is available from
Amazon as a previously owned book or you can use an older sibling’s or other
former AP Lang student. Do not buy the new blue edition—it is NOT
the same!
If you have questions over the summer
about the course, your books, or the assignments, check this blog where you’ll
find all kinds of resources. Add it to
your favorites now as it will be an integral part of our class next year. Also feel free to email me at ms.kim.grissom@gmail.com.
Enjoy your summer! You’ve earned a nice break. =) But don’t put your assignment off until August either—you’ll kick yourself when you’re spending the last two weeks of break reading and writing papers!
