Welcome to 12 th grade English IV Introduction to British Literature

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1 Welcome to 12 th grade English IV Introduction to British Literature This summer you will complete the following assignments. Please pay close attention to the requirements and due dates as these assignments will comprise the first grades for your senior year. While some texts contain mature language and mature content, all material is developmentally appropriate. If any student does struggle with the content, we will help them work through it in the proper context of our Catholic faith and values. A. Assignment #1: Novel: Grendel by John Gardner ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Grendel is a beautiful and heartbreaking modern retelling of the Beowulf epic from the point of view of the monster, Grendel, the villain of the 8th-century Anglo-Saxon epic. This book benefits from both of Gardner's careers: in addition to his work as a novelist, Gardner was a noted professor of medieval literature and a scholar of ancient languages. You will read and annotate the novel and keep a reading log. The requirements of the reading log are as follows: A reading log is an effective way to keep a record of your reading responses positive or negative, sure or unsure. It offers a chance to respond personally, to ask questions, wonder, predict or reflect on the characters, events, literary elements, or language of a text. DO NOT SUMMARIZE!!!! Instead, record your textual observations. Instructions: Ø Use notebook paper (one side only) or you may type the log Ø Must have two columns (divide the page in half) Ø Title the column on the left Quotations from the Text Ø Title the column of the right Commentary/Responses to the Text Ø Responses may start: o The imagery reveals o The setting gives the effect of o The author seems to feel o The tone of this part o The character feels o This is ironic because o The detail seems effective/ineffective/out of place/important because o An interesting word/phrase/sentence/thought is o This reminds me of

2 o Sometimes I notice/appreciate/don t appreciate/wonder about is Ø Or you may begin the response with anything else you feel is appropriate Ø Generally each response should be 3-5 sentences and should include your analysis of the literary techniques present in the quotations, the author s attitude, purpose or tone, and relation to personal experience. Ø Show me that you have read the entire book by responding to the novel from the first to the last page. You must have a total of 20 entries or at least one per chapter which ever is more Ø Make sure that you note the page numbers for the quotes. Your journal will be used to determine your comprehension of the text. Be sure that your response are thorough and that you complete the journal for all chapters of the book. Please remember that these logs are not meant to be personal diaries. They are meant to be read by others and should relate only to the assigned material. You will be sharing your journals in class, so keep that in mind as you write. When sharing you will have the opportunity to confirm, clarify, and modify your responses through discussion. You will also find that your journals will be helpful in writing literary analysis of the text. The reading log scoring guide is attached in a separate file. DUE DATE: Wednesday September 2, 2015 B. Assignment #2: Novel: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ISBN-10: ISBN-13: One of the most universally loved and admired English novels, Pride and Prejudice was penned as a popular entertainment. But the consummate artistry of Jane Austen ( ) transformed this effervescent tale of rural romance into a witty, shrewdly observed satire of English country life that is now regarded as one of the principal treasures of English language. In a remote Hertfordshire village, far off the good coach roads of George III's England, a country squire of no great means must marry off his five vivacious daughters. At the heart of this all-consuming enterprise are his headstrong second daughter Elizabeth Bennet and her aristocratic suitor Fitzwilliam Darcy two lovers whose pride must be humbled and prejudices dissolved before the novel can come to its splendid conclusion. You will read and annotate the novel. (See notes on annotating attached)

3 After watching the movie, you will write a reader response comparing and contrasting the book and the movie. The response must be at least two pages in length but no more than four pages and typed in 12-point times new roman font. You may use first person when writing your response. Please pay special attention to how you pictured the characters while reading the book and whether the casting in the movie met or fell short of your expectations. Also make note of any obvious changes in the plot and why you think such changes were made. Draw some conclusions about which version of the story you enjoyed more and why. Movie Version: 2005 version starring Kiera Knightly and directed by Joe Wright IV. DUE DATE: Thursday, September 3, 2015 Rubric: Turned in assignment at the start of class on due date 3 pts. deduction of five points for every day that it is late. No credit will be given for any assignment turned in more than three days after the due date. Response meets required page length and is typed in proper font 5 pts. Content of response evidences an insightful comparison between novel and movie 10pts Assignment evidences attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation 5pts. C. Assignment #3. In English IV you will be writing an extended literary analysis essay incorporating secondary source material. This summer I would like for you select the British Literature novel that could serve as the basis for this research based assignment. You will read and annotate a novel of your choosing and complete the Major Works Data Sheet attached. A list of potential British Literature titles and authors is attached. Due Date: Thursday September 3, 2015

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5 Major Works Data Sheet Title: Biographical Information About Author Author: Date of Publication: Genre: Historical Information Characteristics of the Genre

6 Plot Summary: Describe the Author s Style: Provide an example that demonstrates the style

7 Characters Name Role in Story Significance Adjectives

8 Quotes: Significance of Quotes:

9 Setting: Significance of Opening Scene: Symbols: Significance of Closing scene:

10 Possible Themes:

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