Welcome to Survey of American Literature 010/AP Language and Composition

 

This honors 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 honors 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 TwainÕs Huckleberry Finn, Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, and Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance".
  • Write five short essays on ÒpithyÓ 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.

 

Explanations of each assignment follow.

 

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 email me at: mike@olearyweb.com from the email address you will use.

 

You can access the web page at:     http://www.olearyweb.com/classes/amlit010/ 

 

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

 

Good luck, and be legendary!

 

 

Mr. OÕLeary

924-6246