The narrator in Invisible Man.

 

AP Language and Composition Summer Assignment Page

This Advanced Placement course has three primary objectives. One is to master the backgrounds of American Literature, reading essays, poems, novels and short stories starting with our earliest settlers. The second objective is to prepare students for the rigors and fulfillment of Senior Advanced Placement English. The third objective is to prepare students to take the Language and Composition AP examination next May.

Much has been given to AP students, and much will be expected.

To these ends, I have designed a summer assignment for this class. I am asking each of you, as part of the honors program, to complete the following this summer:

• Read Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, and Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance" (html | pdf).
• Write five short essays on “pithy” sections from each book and the essay for a total of 15 "pithy quote" essays
• Write a literary essay that analyzes each of the novels in light of specific quotations from Emerson's essay.
• In each reading, identify and explain five literary devices from the attached list, for a total of 15 selections.

(See below for links to explanations of each assignment.)

Minimum Quality Standards for the Summer Writings:

• The writings are typed and collated into a booklet.
• The writings reflect care and effort.
• The booklet sports a cover with a graphic representation (but no yarn, plastic covers or three-dimensional objects) that captures an essence of your writing.
• The booklet is handed in on the first day of school.
• The booklet reflects understanding of and compliance with the prescribed form and content of the assignments.

I will be setting up a mailing list for this course and a web page dedicated to readings, assignments and course forms. For me to do that, you must register your e-mail address with me.

To register, click here.

You can access the web page at: http://www.olearyweb.com/classes/amlit

I am anxious to read your writings and to discuss the readings with you. Please seek to accomplish more than just “doing” the assignments. Instead, embrace this assignment as an opportunity to learn, to struggle and to succeed.

Good luck, and be legendary!

Mr. O’Leary
924-6246
mro@olearyweb.com