Skip to main content

Summer Reading

Hello everyone! I hope your summer has been great so far.... I know most of you received a copy of the summer reading list with your report cards. However, if you lost the sheet, or never got one, you should be able to download a copy from the River Oaks site very soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd summarize the assignment for you.

Non-Honors students will read two books -- one required and one chosen from the reading list for your grade. Honors students will read three books -- one required (same for all students in your grade) and two chosen from the reading list.

ALL students will take an exam upon returning to school on the required book for your grade. In addition, ALL students will write a "reading guide" for the book(s) you chose from the list. The requirements are below:

Format according to MLA (for an example, go to Purdue’s Online Writing Lab. Use 12-point Times New Roman font. Please use headings to identify each section of your reading guide.

First, Summarize the book in an introductory paragraph.

Next, include a description of three important characters (one paragraph each), including physical and psychological details, as well as any other information that you feel “defines” the characters.

Then, include a discussion of two major themes in the novel (one paragraph each), noting specific examples to illustrate your points. Please relate the thematic content to meaning or the writer’s purpose for writing the novel.

In addition, include a list of ten words that you were introduced to while reading the novel. List the following for each vocabulary word: (1) the original sentence, including the page number, (2) the dictionary definition, and (3) an original sentence that uses the word as it is used in the novel.

Finally, please “review” the novel in a concluding paragraph. Tell the reader what you thought of the book, whether or not you would recommend it, and why.


Windows has a copy of the booklist; otherwise, contact me for suggestions.

Note: my address has changed

Popular posts from this blog

Homework

English II Read the selections from the Exeter Book, and answer the following questions, using complete sentences and citing from the text: #1-4 on p89 #1-4 on p93 Comp Check, 2-3, and 7 on p96 Try to guess these Anglo-Saxon riddles without looking at the answers... English IV This week, we are working on the "problem" portion of your research paper. Your topic should be a typical problem that is solved by a person in your profession. For example, if I were writing this about being a high school English teacher, I could write about the problem of plagiarism . I would research the problem thoroughly and present statistics and examples. Next week , we will write the "solution" portion of the paper. Until you fully understand the problem (whatever it is), you cannot hope to solve it. In fact, most of your education will consist of these two sides of every issues - the existence and prevalence of various "problems" and the methods and strategie...

Homework

Sophomores Answer questions #2-5 on 190. Use complete sentences and cite specifics from the text. Juniors Answer questions #3-5 on 137. Use complete sentence and cite specifics from the text. Also, I have posted the Chaucer notes under "assignments" on your Edline page. Seniors You are writing the " This I Believe " essay in class tomorrow. Think about your topic before you come to class, but please do not pre-write it. You will have the chance to revise.

Senior End-of-Year Schedule!

Seniors, the end is near, and there are a few assignments left to schedule. Here is a list of everything due in the next two weeks: Career Update - a one-page addendum to your research paper, updating your plans for college and beyond. Be sure to include what you originally planned and if that's changed. Whether plans have changed or not, please explain why and what steps you've taken towards reaching your goal -- i.e. where you've decided to attend and what major you've declared. This is due WEDNESDAY 4/24. Letter to Future Self - this is an OPTIONAL assignment, but I encourage you to take it seriously. As discussed in class, this letter will be sent to you in about five years. Think about what you'd like to tell yourself five years from now. For example, maybe it would be interesting to reflect on your plans at the time, what values you held dear, what you wanted to remember. In addition, you might think about your current likes/dislikes related to pop cultur...