Summer 2009 34 El Cerrito Ave.
estrempek@tamdistrict.org San Anselmo, CA 94960
Welcome to AP Lit! Over the summer, you will be reading two novels; one from the 19th century: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and the other from the 1920’s, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (If you have already read one or both…good! - you get the chance to do what we should all do with good literature, reread it! Any edition of the books is ok. Also, you will be reading some poetry. (If you don’t want to buy the books, you may use library copies of the novels or borrow a poetry book, but I strongly suggest you buy the books to “mark up.”)
Novel assignments for Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby
v Read the novels, carefully. If they’re your copy, use ”post-its” and mark them up! Underline, ask questions. This is in preparation for an essay on each novel in the fall.
v Keep a reading log. (See below)
Reading Log for Jane Eyre or Gatsby
Your response to both novels will be in the form of a reading log; a way for you to give your personal reactions to events, characters and ideas as you are reading. Your appreciation of the book will be greatly enhanced if you take time to reflect on the following questions as you read. At the end of a day’s reading, (approx. 20-30 pages) make an entry of about half a page (typed if possible) or a page in long-hand, in which you explore your reaction to the text. You might think of yourself as talking to the author about the plot and characters. You should have a minimum of ten entries of about 150-200 words each Use these questions to give you ideas for your responses. You are not required to use them. They are suggestions to prompt your ideas.
Poetry Component:
You need to check out or buy a copy of Frances Mayes, The Discovery of Poetry. Harcourt Publishing. You can order it on-line or I’ve asked Borders to stock them. Or ask the Booksmith in San Anselmo to order one.
v Read the first 5 chapter in the book and take a page of notes on each chapter. Bullets are fine. Read as many poems as you can. Think about them.
v Choose 5 poems that you really like and copy them out. Tell me why you chose the poem. What do you think it’s about? What strikes you about the language? Some common questions in reading poetry are:
1. Do you like the poem? Why?
2. What’s the poem about? (Paraphrasing is a good technique)
3. Who’s the speaker?
4. Who’s the audience?
5. What is the situation? Where is the setting? (if there is one)
6. What strikes you as significant as to images, symbols or figurative language?
7. What is the central purpose of the poem? (What is the author trying to convey?
v Then choose ONE poem to memorize for the first week of class. If it’s long do about 14 lines.
**** Optional reading for summer. YOU DON’T HAVE TO! (…until the autumn!) One of the classic writing books is Strunk and Whites Elements of Style. I will have copies in the fall, but you should purchase one before you start writing about literature or your college essays!
See plays! Go to movies! Go to art galleries! Read, read and read some more!! Enjoy your summer!
College Essay Prompts!
OK, you’re not going to like me….but this is important! Every year during the autumn, seniors undergo an intense couple of months as they apply for colleges. It’s tough enough to find out which college will be right for you, but there is also the reality of …the college essay! Even though, you are not going to want to do this in the balmy days of summer, you will thank me later for at least beginning the process.
Regardless of which UC’s or private schools to which you are applying, most colleges use one of the basic “stock” prompts. Choose either the two UC prompts or the Common Application prompt. Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts. Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.
Look critically at the information in your application: your grades, awards, activities and work experience, family and income. Anticipate questions an admissions evaluator will have after reading your application. The personal statement is your opportunity to answer those questions.
Don't type it directly into the application. This way, you will have the opportunity to print copies for review.
Present your information and ideas in a focused, thoughtful and meaningful manner. Support your ideas with specific examples. A personal statement that is simply a list of qualities or accomplishments is usually not persuasive.
In addition to checking your spelling, be sure your grammar is correct and your essays read smoothly.
Your personal statement should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others--family and teachers--can offer valuable suggestions.
Once you are satisfied with your essays, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.
Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online, and do not use anyone's published words but your own.
Common Application Prompt
Personal Essay Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
1 Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
2 Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3 Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4 Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
5 A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6 Topic of your choice.