If you successfully completed Expository Writing or English Composition last year, you will be taking American Literature beginning in the Fall of 2017! Your summer reading novel isThe Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. As you read this novel, pay close attention to the details and take some notes. What kind of notes? Think about the themes, characters, setting, conflict and overall plot of the novel.
*Two (2) Assignments (non-honors): Novel Report and Reflection - due the first day of school, Monday, August 28th. No late work will be accepted!
If you would like to be considered for Honors, you must read an additional novel and complete a separate assessment. Choose one of the following novels (to be read in addition to The Good Earth):
Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury; Seabiscuit: An American Legend, Laura Hillenbrand; Anthem by Ayn Rand; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams; Travels with Charley, John Steinbeck (or any of his novels); Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton; A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Betty Smith; Moby Dick, Herman Melville; or The Book Thief, Markus Zusak (you may not choose a novel you have already read). Just a note...check out the books and make sure they are a good fit for you and your parents. If there is another book you would love to read, please check with me!
* Two (2) Assignments (honors): 1) Reflection - due first day of school, Monday, August 28th. 2) Honors Essay for additional novel - due Friday, August 4th. No late work will be accepted.
Novel Report Assignment for The Good Earth- to be completed by non-honors
A Novel Report is written in paragraph form in MLA format. Using complete sentences - proper grammar, spelling, punctuation - answer each of the questions listed below. Organize the information into paragraph form.
Please note that some form of research is required for #1, #2, and #3 which means that you need to have in-text citations and a Works Cited page (you need to cite where you got the information from both with in-text citations and then list the source on the Works Cited). Remember to use only reputable online sources: you may not use any wikis (no wikipedia), Sparknotes, Cliffs Notes, LitGuides, enotes, pinkmonkey, etc. **If you need a refresher on MLA, check out this link: OWL at Purdue
Other: Please type! Double space, 12 point type. No handwritten work will be accepted. Also, do not simply copy and paste information from the internet for your answers - I do not want to hear what Sparknotes, etc., has to say : )
So, tell me about... In Paragraph #1: 1. Title, Author, Original Publication Date 2. Background on author (include author's reasons for writing the book) 3. Literary Period (refer to the LITERARY period NOT THE SAME THING AS THE WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN, like the 1920’s, etc.) Refer to other authors writing in the same period. 4. Setting - that is, the place, time period, environment the story takes place. Is the setting important to the story in some way?
In Paragraph #2: 5. Character Sketch of ONE character (describe the character physically, his/her personality, plus whatever other information you think is relevant to describe this person)
In Paragraph #3: 6. Unique Literary Devices Used By the Author (for example: metaphor, simile, symbolism, allusion, flashback, etc.) 7. Point of View - or, the perspective from which the story is told. Clickhereif you need a refresher on this term!
In Paragraph #4: 8. Theme - Explain the theme of The Good Earth using details from the novel. Then, connect this idea to your life in some way - either through a personal experience or life in general.
Reflection for The Good Earth - to be completed by non-honors and honors
I want to hear what you think about the novel! Respond to the following questions – choosing either #1 or #2 - in paragraph format, reflecting on the novel:
Describe your favorite element about the book. Was is a plot twist? Was it the amazingly developed character(s)? Was it the way the author wrote the novel? Why is it your favorite?
Did a character steal your heart? Did you grow to love/hate/fear/worry about/etc. a character? What was the situation? The circumstances? How did it all play out? Would you have done anything differently if you were the character?
Remember, organization, spelling and grammar count! Yes, you can write in first person (using I), but be sure to keep all your writing in the present tense. Your response should be approximately one to one and a half (1 - 1 1/2) typed pages: double-spaced, 12 point type. Yes, it must be typed! No hand written papers will be accepted.
Honors Essay - for 2nd novel (choice) - due Friday, August 4th*
Essential question/topic of essay: How/what does your novel teach us about rebellion and/or individual responsibility?
Where to start: Using specific references to the text, develop a strong thesis statement (what + verb + idea) and three strong points/claims to support your idea. Your final essay should be five paragraphs (including introduction and conclusion) and MLA formatted . You do not need a Works Cited page. Be unique with your ideas and back them up with quotes (direct and indirect) from and references to the text. How many quotes per body paragraph? Enough to adequately answer the question. You know the drill for formatting (3rd person, literary present tense...).
You are not being graded on your ability to summarize the novel, but rather to show that you can develop an eloquent and intelligent argument. The ideas should be your own - not what you can find on the internet! * You can submit your essays through your google folders or simply email them to me: [email protected]