June 1, 2012
Summer Reading Assignment for AP English Literature & Composition
Dear Parents and 2012/2013 AP ENG LIT Students,
Welcome to AP English Literature & Composition! The first few class
sessions in the fall will be devoted to the study and discussion of the
REQUIRED TEXTS listed below, so you need to know them well. The nature of
this assignment will require you to work on it throughout the summer. You
should not procrastinate and wait until the week before school starts to
begin reading and completing your notes or you will not finish. In order to
have a productive start to your school year, you must complete the
assignment. Your work should always reflect careful reading and insight. AP
Lit is a demanding and intensive course, but you will only get out of it what
you put into it.
REQUIRED TEXT:
1. The Bonesetter’s Daughter
By: Amy Tan
Tan, Amy. The Bonesetter’s Daughter. New York. The Penguin Group. 2006.
2. How To Read Novels Like a Professor
Thomas C. Foster
Publisher: Harper Perennial; 1st edition (July 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061340405
ISBN-13: 978-0061340406
**Notice: The second book is titled “How to Read Novels…” not “How to Read
Literature…” because there are two books in this series.
These books can be purchased at Barnes & Noble or online at BN.com,
amazon.com, etc.
Read the following pages for the assignment related to these books.
Never fail to e-mail me if you have any questions:
katherine.cole@pecps.k12.va.us
Assignment can also be viewed at my teacher web—access through PECHS website.
NOTE: Please type all assignments using Times New Roman 12 point font and
double spaced paragraphs.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Cole
Assignment for The Bonesetter’s Daughter:
A. As you read, annotate the novel by (a) writing questions and comments
in the margins, (b) noting issues you would like to discuss in class, (c)
underlining quotes or ideas that interest you, (d) noting patterns of
literary devices (i.e. diction, imagery, metaphor, symbolism, syntax, detail,
irony, allusion, hyperbole, understatement/overstatement, foreshadowing,
motifs, etc.—think about how Tan uses these and other techniques to create a
certain effect), (e) marking important events and conversations, character
motivations, and ideas that suggest Tan’s themes. Your annotations should
reflect a close reading of the novel, as you will use them in our class
discussions of the text and in other writings.
If you are not going to purchase a book or simply prefer not to write in your
book, you may annotate using post-it notes.
Color Code your text using different colored highlighters (you will need six
colors) to mark instances of the following themes, motifs, and symbols. The
color coding assignment is your prep work for your first multi-paragraph
essay that you will write within the first few weeks of school. Again, you
may use different colored post-it tabs is you choose not to mark your book.
-The mother and daughter struggle
-The problem with immigrant status
-Language as a sign of cultural difference
-Storytelling
-Sexism
-Sacrifice
You will submit your annotated and highlighted book on the second day of
school for a grade.
B. Select one of the following study questions and respond in a 400-500
word essay. Develop a controlling idea and then support your thesis
statement with specific examples from the text. Do not simply write a plot
summary. Take the time to prepare a sophisticated argument that illustrates
an insightful reading of the text. It is important to support your analysis
with textual support. Without quotes, your paper is less credible. Write
this paper for someone who has read the book, but hasn’t thought about it.
Grading will be based on your knowledge of the text, ability to develop a
sophisticated thesis, incorporation of textual support, usage, and
mechanics. This paper should be typed, double spaced and Times New Roman 12
point font should be used.
1. Choose a character from "The Bonesetter's Daughter" by Amy Tan that
has been alienated from society in the book, and show how Tan uses the
alienated character to show the meaning of the book.
2. How is LuLing affected by the family curse? How does she react when
she learns of her mother’s true identity? In your opinion, was it wrong for
Precious Auntie to keep this secret from her daughter? Why does Precious
Auntie keep this information from LuLing for so long?
3. What is the significance of Ruth’s learning the family name at the
end of The Bonesetter's Daughter? What does Ruth learn about her name that
helps change her opinion of her mother?
4. Memory plays an important role in The Bonesetter's Daughter. How is
Ruth's life affected by her childhood memories? In particular, the episode
with Lance and Dottie, their neighbors. What did you feel about that bizarre
incident?
5. What is the significance of Ruth's learning the family name at the
end of The Bonesetter's Daughter? What does Ruth learn about her name that
helps change her opinion of her mother?
Assignment for How to Read Novels Like A Professor
A. Keep a reading journal. After reading each chapter, write a 1 page
response of that chapter’s topic. This will be a 22 page document due on the
second day of school. I am looking for either application of the topic to
past reading experiences or an explanation in your words of what the topic
means.
*** Remember! This is a college level English class. We will be reading
materials with more sophisticated/mature themes, writing styles and
language. Make sure you approach each reading with a higher level of
seriousness and maturity. If in any way you feel offended by this reading
choice, please e-mail me in order to receive the alternative assignment of
Jane Austin’s novel, Pride and Prejudice.