May 23, 2007 AP Summer Assignment

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Summer 2007 Assignment for AP Literature and Composition

Radford High School/ Teacher: Sheryl Scanlon/ E-mail: shscanlon@aol.com

The Advanced Placement (AP) exam in Literature measures how well you can read, find meaning, and recognize techniques used to express that meaning. To pass the AP exam it helps to have read widely. The two modern classics assigned here are interesting and not difficult to understand on your own. I am sure you will enjoy them and that the stories, characters, and ideas will remain with you for a long time. The books are Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. These will be two of the books you'll be able to write about on the AP Exam in May.

You will write an essay on each book when school resumes. Have the following work prepared to turn in, both part 1 and part 2 for each book, on the first day of school. Hand in the work for each book separately. If you want to borrow the books, come to room 266 at Radford. (THIS PARAGRAPH HAS BEEN REVISED FOR CLARITY)

PART I: Questions and Vocabulary (during the reading)

1. QUESTIONS: For each chapter of Their Eyes Were Watching God and every 2 chapters of Cry, the Beloved Country, write a question for which the answer is not given. Avoid questions about what will happen next. The purpose of writing questions is to discuss the possible answers. “Why” questions often work. Answers will of course be opinions based on the text. Write enough information in the question so that you will remember what happened in the chapter.

2. ANSWER: Answer one of your early questions in 50 to 100 words.

3. VOCABULARY: Find words you don’t know the meaning of from each book. For each word write: (1) at least 25 words of the sentence the word is in, (2) the page # you found it on, and (3) the definition that fits the sentence

PART II: Examining the Literary Elements

Use the term’s definition to write about the term’s use in each book.

1. THEME: a statement that the text seems to be making about a subject; the meaning
• Write the main theme as you understand it. In a well written book all other elements support the theme.

2. PLOT: sequence of events
• Write a statement of the plot in one sentence, around 25 words (actually a precis)

3.SETTING: time and place
• Write about the setting and its impact on the theme

4.CHARACTERIZATION: the various means by which an author describes and develops the characters in a literary work. Flat characters are types defined by a single idea or quality, whereas round characters have the three-dimensional complexity of real people. The author may employ direct characterization, explicitly presenting or commenting on the characters, or indirect characterization, setting forth characters through their actions, statements, thoughts, and feelings. The first is telling, the second is showing
• Write about the characterization of the characters (five or fewer) most important to the theme. Is the character flat or round, and why do you think so? Give an example of the characterization for each person and tell whether it’s direct or indirect.

5.POINT OF VIEW: the vantage point from which a narrative is told, typically first-person or third-person, occasionally mixed. In a narrative told from first person perspective, the author tells the story through a character who refers to himself or herself as “I.” Third-person narratives come in two types: omnisicent (all knowing) and limited.
• Write about the point of view of the narrator and how it affects the theme

6.SYMBOL: something that stands for or suggests something larger and more complex
ALLUSION: an indirect reference to something in literature, the other arts, history, myths, religion, or popular culture
• Write about a symbol or allusion & how it’s related to the theme (Don’t use one from a study guide.)

ANY WORK TAKEN FROM A STUDY GUIDE IS PLAGIARISM AND RECEIVES A FAILING GRADE