Glen
Summer 2009
Dear AP English Language Student:
I am excited that you have chosen to take this course, AP English Language and Composition. Despite the bandwagon appeal of the class, you will find challenging reading and many writing assignments. You will be expected to read carefully, write with purpose and idea, respectfully edit the work of your peers, and participate in class argument on a daily basis. I expect that the writing lessons you have had in the high school are part of your knowledge base. While the essays we read are shorter than novels, you can expect demanding associated assignments. Additionally, we read Op-Eds from around the world on a weekly basis.
Our focus during the year will be nonfiction, analysis of writing, and most importantly writing as a craft. To that end I have designed several assignments for you for the summer. First, over the course of the summer, you must read Op-Ed pieces from the New York Times. Op-Eds are not editorials. They are found on the page opposite the editorials and letters to the editor. These should not be news articles or articles that are meant only for information. You can find the articles online or perhaps at your doorstep each morning. Choose eight (8) Op-Ed articles, four from July and four from August. Print them using the print icon, and for each write a one paragraph response to or analysis of the opinion expressed. You may track one columnist, one emerging story, or look at various articles that catch your interest. Put these together in one neat folder to be handed in on the first day of class – no exceptions.
Your second assignment is to read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, and
watch the film adaptation. Then write a
two page, double spaced, reaction to this book which compares the film and the
book. Do not exceed two pages. This paper must be uploaded to www.turnitin.com. The class ID is 2745224 , and
the class password is mrsk. Create an
identity with your own email address, and keep your own password, as we will be
using the service all year. The
assignment must be turned in to me as well as uploaded by the first day of
class – no exceptions. Please
not that this year the service will be unavailable from July 11 – August
8. Upload before or after that date.
Finally, read Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates that Define and Inspire
Our Country , by Howard Fineman.
Choose one of Fineman’s arguments and write a short paper, no longer
than two double spaced pages, that defends – with further evidence, qualifies or
challenges that chosen argument. This
paper must also be uploaded to www.turnitin.com.
No
exceptions.
Please follow all these directions carefully. I’m looking forward to reading, writing and arguing with you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Koenig
PS – I do check my email from time to time over the summer. If you have a question, email me, and I will answer as soon as I see it. pkoenig@glenridge.org
Guidelines for Responses to Op-Eds and
Editorials
Comment on the
aspects of each of the editorials that made you think, and your thoughts about
the editorial or the issues – one response per editorial. There is no guideline
as to length, but your responses should be thoughtful and detailed. For the summer assignment one paragraph
should be enough.
Some questions you might want to think
about/comment on:
Recommended Reading 2009
AP English Language and Composition
The Color of Water James
McBride
Stand Before Your God Paul
Watkins
Angela’s Ashes Frank
McCourt
Nickel and Dimed Barbara
Ehrenreich
Reading Lolita in
Tehran Azir
Nafisi
Waiting for Snow in
Woman Warrior Maxine
Hong
The Things They
Carried Tim
O’Brien
Travels With Charley John
Steinbeck
Tuesdays With Morrie Mitch
Albom
Last True Story I’ll Ever Tell John Crawford
Billy Budd Herman
Melville
What is the What Dave
Eggers
The Girls from Ames Jeffrey
Zaslow