Assignment #1:
Read Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. After reading, create a Powerpoint, Google Slideshow, Prezi, or make a list of the top 10 tips you feel will make you a better writer. Feel free to be creative in how you present your top 10 list. ISBN: 1982159375
Assignment #2:
Read and annotate The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Nicholas Frankel (Editor) ISBN-13: 9780674066311
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-uncensored-picture-of-dorian-gray-oscar-wilde/1109889750
Annotating Text: The following are guidelines. You must figure out a system that works for you. Annotating is essential to an active reading of any text. You can write in the book (recommended), use post-it notes, or take notes in your AP Lit. notebook.
Purpose:
- Deeper understanding of the text
- Track major changes/shifts and/or progressions
- Identify areas of interest, concern, insight, connections to universal ideas/questions
- Keep engaged with the text
Circle, underline, highlight, box-in
- Main ideas
- Character names / names of settings
- Vocabulary words – unknown words or words you find interesting or cool sounding
- Important ideas or events
Marginalia:
React to a passage: Are you surprised, confused, laughing, creeped out, happy, sad, etc.
[Bracket]: important passages and ask yourself what you think the author wants us to know. Write this next to the passage. This is such an important skill for the exam that we will be working on throughout the year. Don’t stress about being “correct” here. I want your interpretation, not one from an online source. You will be tasked to read passages and decide upon an interpretation supported by textual evidence. Literary critics love to battle over whose interpretation is the “correct” one. That’s the beauty of literature, we bring ourselves into the text and we don’t all leave the story having had the same experience.
Other margin notes: how do you feel about what is occurring in the novel at that point?
- Make a connection to an earlier section/scene in the novel (include page #) –
- Track imagery patterns (animal, mechanical, natural, supernatural etc.), changes in character development, conflicts, repetitions, symbols, repetitions of words/dialogue, parallels, and other notable concepts.
- Pose questions, note areas of confusion
After you read The Uncensored Picture of Dorian Gray, print and complete the Major Works Data Sheet attached to this assignment. Open the Docx with Google Docs and it will fix the formatting. Your handwriting must be legible. You are limited to the space on each page; you may not add additional pages. Research may be required to complete information about the author and period of the piece, but the vast majority should be completed based upon your own understanding and insight. An asterisk is provided where research may be necessary. This assignment is being used to cultivate the skills you will be developing throughout the year, so do not consult the numerous websites dedicated to literary analysis. You are cheating yourself. At this level, plagiarism is taken seriously. Do the work yourself to the best of your ability.
This is due the first Friday we return to school. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone next year. Have a wonderful summer and enjoy the books!
Best,
Mr. Hurst