Independent Reading for AP Literature & Composition

Rationale:

In order to broaden your repertoire of texts, you will be reading a book or play on your own every
marking period. In addition to the reading, you'll be keeping a reading journal. The three part independent
reading assignment is due according to the schedule listed in the next section OR completing a Book Ball.

One observation from AP readers is that students are not able to wrestle with complex texts. I am not so
sure that the ability is lacking. Rather, I think it is the desire or the willingness to read hard texts and think
deeply about them that is sometimes missing. It does require discipline to train yourself to read complex
texts, but so worth it, not only for the AP tests, but also for college and beyond. In addition to giving your
brain an added workout, having read and studied these books may be a huge help to you on question #3
on the Lit exam.

Reading Schedule:
MP1: Epic of Gilgamesh Available as e-text or packet
Choose 1 Antigone (PDF) Play

Due 11/8/21 Excerpts from One Thousand and One Nights Available as e-text or packet
(textbook)

MP2: The Awakening by Kate Chopin (etext) Novel

Choose 1 Heracles by Euripides (Greek mythology Available as e-text or packet

Anthem by Ayn Rand Novel

Due 1/20/23

MP3: Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (will be Play

distributed)
Choose 1
The Glass Menagerie by Tennesse Williams Play
Due 3/3123 (etext)

The Metamorphosis by Kafka Novelette

MP4: Waiting for Godot Play

Choose 1 Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Play
 (etext)
Due 6/5/23
Wuthering Heights Novel

DIRECTIONS: After reading your selection for each marking period, choose to
complete the reading journal or Book Ball. Guidelines for each assignment follow.

Reading Journal Guidelines:

Your journals can be typed or handwritten (neatly, in blue or black ink) in a notebook. Please turn in
something that screams how proud you are of the work. Each journal has three distinct parts as shown
below.

1.​ Part 1: (25 points) Introductory information as shown below (record all this information in
order)
a.​ Title of work and author
b.​ Genre (play, novel, epic poem, nonfiction text); sub-genre, if applicable (example, not
just play for Henry V, but history play).
c.​ Historical context, such as the year published, the literary period, or any historical or
literary connections worth noting
d.​ Protagonist(s) and description
e.​ Antagonist(s) and description
f.​ Brief (no more than 200 words) plot summary
g.​ Key themes: the main two or three
h.​ Significant literary elements, such as symbols, motifs, allegory, allusions, special
structure, point of view, etc. Don't just say the book has a lot of symbols, list some and
describe them.

3.​ Part 2: (50 points) 3-4 journal entries (approximately 1,200 words total). As you read, use
close reading techniques to improve them. Keep a journal in addition to any notes you may make
in that process. Your close reading may and should prompt ideas for journal entries. Use any of
the following starters for journal entries. Never summarize the text!! All journal entries are to be
analytical exercises.Be sure to vary your entry types (don't do the same thing over and over
again).
●​ Start with a quotation from a chapter and comment on it. Why is it important? Extend
beyond the text itself. Ex: maybe the passage is important for a character, but how about us?
●​ Pull out a soliloquy or short scene from a play and analyze it. Why it is important? What is
revealed, etc.?
●​ Reading between the lines. Sometimes it's what characters don't say that matters. Cite a
passage and explain what's really going on. Be sure to show how you know it.
 ●​ Analyze the development of a dynamic character: how is it she/he grows, learns, etc.? (AP
tests are full of passages that show character growth).
●​ Cite and explain an ironic passage. How does irony function in the work?
●​ Cite a passage and analyze the author's style: choice of words, syntax, tone, etc. Why do you
think the author used this style for this work? How effective is the passage at achieving the
author's purpose?
●​ Cite and agree, disagree or qualify a point of view in the work (best for persuasive
nonfiction). Give context for the point of view first.
●​ Something else? Think of something. We will add to this list as we go.

**Important note: any time you cite a passage, it DOES NOT count toward the word count for
your journal entry. You do not have to copy an entire passage though. Since this is ultimately your
notes, you can make use of screenshots.

3.​ Part 3: (25 points) A final overview: choose any of the following (400-500 words) For any of
these choices, cite the text in support of what you say.
●​ Personal reflection: why you liked this book and are glad you read it.
●​ Recommendation: choose a person you know, and write an email to him or her giving your
recommendation. If this person is another student in our class, be sure to share your book
and recommendation with him/her.
●​ What you learned about yourself as a reader? What did you learn from studying this book?
Be specific.
●​ Literature often reflects the time period in which it is created. What have you learned or did
you already know about the period in which your work was written?

Book Ball Directions

For the second option for reporting on the independent reading selection, you have the
opportunity to put your knowledge and creative skills into action INSTEAD of completing the
journal. You will create a 12-sided Book Ball that incorporates each one of the elements below.
You need to remember to do all of your writing and decorating on the paper within the pentagon
before you cut and fold the circles. You may add any decorations or drawings to any unused
space on the paper. The sides are as follows:
●​ Circle 1- Title Side: Write your name, the title, author of your book, and some sort of
illustration representing your book.
●​ Circle 2- Author Side: Write an author bio. List the author’s name and interesting facts
about the author. Why did they write this book? (8-10 Sentences)
●​ Circle 3- Character Side: Describe the main character of the story. Include both
 physical traits and personality characteristics. Include at least one quote from the novel to
describe your character. (8-10 sentences)
●​ Circle 4- Illustration Side: Draw a picture of the most exciting, the funniest, or the
most interesting scene in the story, with a short caption or summary of the scene
●​ Circles 5 & 6- Summary Sides: Split the reading selection in half and write a summary
of it on these two circles. Include key ideas, important events, plot (rising action, climax,
falling action, resolution), and all other relevant information. (8-10 sentences on each
circle)
○​ On circle 5 write a summary of the first part of the reading
○​ On circle 6 write a summary of the second part of the reading.
●​ Circle 7- Theme 1: Identify one theme of the novel. What overall point about life,
people, human nature does the novel convey? (8-10 sentences with at least one quote
from the novel)
●​ Circle 8- Theme 2: Identify a second theme of the reading. What overall point about
life, people, human nature does the novel convey? (8-10 sentences with at least one quote
from the novel)
●​ Circle 9 Alternate Ending: Write an alternate ending to the story.(8-10 sentences)
●​ Circle 10-Book Review: Write a book review of the reading. (8-10 sentences)
●​ Circle 11-Special Powers: You have been granted special powers, but you can only use
them to prevent one thing in the story you read. What is it and why did you decide to
prevent that event? How is the story different because you chose to use your powers in
this way? What are the repercussions?(8-10 sentences)
●​ Circle 12-Images: Fill this side with a collage of related images.

When all sides and decorations are complete:

- Carefully cut out the 12 circles.
Fold the crescents on the lines around the circle so that the folds are standing
up or facing up.
Align the crescent of one circle to the crescent of another and staple them
together (glue might come unglued). Each crescent will be stapled to a
different circle’s crescent all the way around to create a ball.
Be sure that all edges are facing up and are framing your pictures or
paragraphs.

REMEMBER:
●​ Be neat!!
●​ The ball should be colorful and visually fun, but the most important aspect is what
is written in the circles.
●​ Use your best writing skills including correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 ●​ Remember, I am looking for quality work and your BEST effort!

●​ CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND CAPITALIZATION!!!!!!!

●​ ALL WHITE SPACE NEEDS DECORATED OR COLORED, INCLUDING
PENTAGON EDGES
●​ USE NOTES TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS
●​ NEATNESS MATTERS!!!!
●​ IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE A 12TH GRADER DID IT ...AND TOOK MORE THAN 10
MINUTES!!!
●​ Any submitted Book Ball done only in pencil/pen with large amounts of white space will
receive an AUTOMATIC 55. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Cutting and attaching the sides: