This summer, you will read the following books:
Brave New World (BNW), Aldous Huxley |
The Awakening, Kate Chopin |
How to Read Literature Like a Professor (HTRL), Thomas C. Foster |
Novel assignment: As you read the novels (Awakening and BNW), you will complete two analytical online posts for each novel. The online discussion will help you prepare for class discussions held the first few weeks of school, as well as for the AP Exam in May. When working on your posts, please do not waste your or my time with commentary from Spark Notes, Cliffs Notes, Monkey Notes, Classic Notes, etc. The purpose of assigning these works is not to see whether or not you can get away with not reading them; some of the purposes of assigning these works are to expose you to timeless, universal literature that we may not have time to read as an entire class, to keep your brain active throughout the summer months, and to introduce you to the quality of literature you will encounter throughout the course. Many students also choose to write about these books on the open question of our AP Exam.
To receive credit for your post,
each online post should be composed of insightful analysis OR
be an insightful response to someone else’s post. What insightful concepts have you discovered? Consider a work’s structure, style, and themes. What
broad ideas (themes) are presented in this part? What
attitude does the author seem to be emanating about his subject matter
(tone)? What statement is the author making about society,
humanity, religion, love, etc.? What
literary elements are significant (point of view, setting, symbols, figurative
language, etc.)? How are they significant
in revealing the meaning of the work? Credit will not be given for posts that repeat ideas and
information previously submitted by your classmates or for posts that simply
summarize the novels.
· To sign on to Nicenet, go to the following website: http://www.nicenet.org
· Click on Students: Join a Class
· Enter the Class Key: 9237684A45
· Complete the required information. For the optional information, you must write your first and last name. This
is to ensure that you receive credit for your posts.
Also, while reading, be sure to annotate your book, either on the book itself or on post-its in the book. Annotations will be graded the first week of school. I suggest you buy your books; if that is absolutely not possible, please see me in room 201 so that I can lend you a copy.
I suggest you give yourself ample time to complete this assignment. Complete the annotations as you read, and complete the online posts while you are reading or soon after you have finished reading. Your two posts should not be from the same parts of the book; for example, I don’t want an analysis of chapter 5 and then an analysis of chapter 6 – show me that you read the entire book. If you have any questions at all about this assignment or the course, e-mail me at calvarez@dadeschools.net.
ONLINE POSTS FOR THE AWAKENING WILL BE DUE JUNE 30,
2008.
ONLINE POSTS FOR BRAVE NEW WORLD WILL BE DUE JULY 21,
2008.
HTRL Assignment: This book is a witty explanation of how to notice, interpret, understand, and analyze common and recurring literary symbols, motifs, images, and themes. Your assignment for this book is to complete the following, for each chapter, on a 3x5 index card:
Major Points: For each chapter, note at least three points Foster makes that are worthy of remembering. Complete these on the front of the index card
Application: Recall a poem, short story, novel, or film to which you can apply one of the concepts Foster discusses. Explain how Foster’s chapter applies to and helps illuminate the meaning of your selected poem, short story, novel, or film. Feel free to use The Awakening or Brave New World as examples if they apply. Complete these on the back of the index card.
THE HTRL NOTECARDS WILL BE DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, AUGUST 18, 2008.
Because your novel assignment is due first, you can use the last month of the break to complete your HTRL reading and assignment. Again, if you are unable to buy this book, see me in room 201 to borrow a copy.
Again, email me at calvarez@dadeschools.net with any questions or concerns you may have about anything concerning these assignments.
HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL SUMMER!
