Summer Reading Requirements

Welcome to AP Language and Composition!

Part of the requirements for this course is that you complete a summer reading assignment. I think that you will find these pieces thought-provoking as you laze on a blanket in your back yard or squeeze in time on the couch after work.

July:
Pick up a copy of Neil Postman’s polemical book Amusing Ourselves to Death. It should be an easy and cheap find at used bookstores or online (Amazon is currently selling it new for $11.20). It is short, to the point, and I think that you will enjoy his argument (whether you agree with it or not).

You need to post ONE original analytical remark on our class blog. Focus your comment on the rhetorical strategies that Postman uses to present his argument as well as the validity and accuracy of the argument itself. Consider his purpose, audience, and strategies of persuasion. Also take into account that he wrote this treatise in 1985. Were his measurements and predictions of our society accurate? Did he persuade you? Why or why not? All posts and comments on this book need to be wrapped up by July 31st.


August:
Before you leave for the summer, come to my room (551) and pick up a copy of Fifty Essays: A Portable Anthology by Samuel Cohen. You only need to read TEN of the essays in the collection. I expect you to read with a critical eye and keep notes with a critical hand. Beware: in September, I may ask to see notes on all ten of the essays that you have read.

For the blog, you’ll need to post a critical review of ONE essay. In the review, you’ll need to focus not on your response to the author or the content, but to the rhetorical strategies and writing techniques used by the author to achieve his or her purpose. Think small—try focusing on word choice, sentence structure and fluency, imagery, tone, or any other device you find revealing. All posts and comments on this book need to be wrapped up by August 31st.

Scoring:
You must earn 20 points in order to meet the requirements for the course. You earn five points for each original post. You MUST write one post for each book and are permitted to write a third post on another essay, or in response to another text (printed or visual) that you think can enhance the conversation. (Think editorial cartoons, advertisements, articles you read, songs that seem to parallel themes that emerge as we discuss, etc).

Posts should be between 300 and 500 words of polished prose. The writing must specifically address the prompts listed for each book. While strong voice is encouraged, the purpose of this forum is not entertainment. Always allow your insight to drive your writing. Any posts that do not meet these criteria will be deleted from the blog, and I will ask you to try again.

The balance of your points will come from comments. Comments are worth one point each. You are of course welcome to comment as often as you like, but only ten of the 20 points required for your score can come from comments.

When your comments and posts appear on the blog, please print the page showing your work. Bring these assembled pages to the first day of school for submission.

That should get us started. To make sure you’re all aboard, please comment in response to this post. And yes, it will count for one of your points.

I look forward to reading your reviews and comments.
Have a fun and restful summer!

Mrs. Klassen