Pequannock Township High School Summer 2017 PRInTs Pequannock Reads in the Summer PRInTS is a district-wide initiative to encourage students to read throughout the summer. The PTHS English Department is continuing to offer a choice book for summer reading. The expectation is that you will choose from this list or an expanded list from NoveList Plus. We encourage you to select a book that will be of high interest to you. On the next few pages, you ll find a few suggestions that other students and teachers have Expectations 1 required text of your choosing Upon return to school: o Assessment that demonstrates abilities to address theme, supported by quotes and evidence, relevant and critical to the text recommended. Attached is document that you may use to gather notes on your book. SEE PAGE 6 FOR SUGGESTIONS OF BOOKS THAT WERE ENJOYED AND RECOMMENDED BY OTHER STUDENTS.
Lorem Ipsum Requirements as you read Guided Reading Focus: Theme Every book has at least one message. In order to successfully identify and write about a book's theme(s), you need to closely read the text, plan before you write, and provide sufficient analysis and direct quotes from the story to support your point. Find the Central Concept The central concept of a text is the primary focus, pattern, purpose, or thought process guiding a text or section of text. This is built and revealed by both plot and theme. A book s central concept is the proposed suggestion, message, moral, lesson, or philosophical stance taken away from a text. This can be on either the reader s or the author s part one can take away things (or miss) the author did not necessarily intend. Find the Theme A theme is a philosophical idea found behind the motives, actions, emotions, images, symbols, and language of a text. Themes can be found in either what the reader thinks a text means or what the text itself seems to suggest. A theme may be a universal idea that is a reflection of human experience suggested by the text. A prevailing theme can also be identified by examining the characters' strengths, weaknesses, values, thoughts, and actions, or by the images and events that recur through a text. Take Notes Concepts and themes may not be explicitly stated, so your notes are crucial in identifying and evaluating the book's central theme. When considering characters, think not only of the characterization, but also of the tone, setting, conflict, plot, imagery, figurative language, and symbolism as devices or tools that help ensure that the reader "gets" the meaning that the writer intended him or her to learn. Literary themes are implied through the aforementioned elements of the text, so close reading and taking notes as you read help you identify and gather the book's clues and evidence for your essay. 2
Close Reading Guide: Reading closely means reading slowly and actively, paying attention to language, making thoughtful observations, and tracking your interpretations of the messages the author delivers. You should note your questions and observations in your journal along with supporting evidence. Underlining interesting passages, jotting down questions, marking moments when characters have to make important or difficult decisions, and recording instances of symbolism and foreshadowing will deepen your interpretation and understanding of theme within your book while also building a toolbox of material to draw from when you write your essay. Below is a guide to literary elements to help you to uncover a major theme in your book. Take notes or use the optional organizer provided. Be sure to cite specific evidence from your novel. 3 Literary Elements Central Concept Themes Conflict external and internal What to Look For The primary focus, repeating patterns, author s purpose, or principal worldview guiding the text. Essentially, this is the author s message. The ideas found behind motives, actions, emotions, images, symbols, and language of a text. Beliefs, goals, or the motivations of characters clash or cause tension in the text. Symbol An object given significant attention or detail, which is used to suggest or represent greater meaning. Motif A recurring object or idea in a work that serves to develop a theme. A motif allows one to see themes an author is trying to express, in order that one might interpret the work more accurately. Characterization: Direct characterization What does the writer or narrator say about the character? What does through narration; Indirect characterization the character or characters say to show who he, she, or they are? What through dialogue, actions, and a character s does the character do to show who he or she is? What does the thoughts. character think or feel to show who he or she is? Setting The geographical location, era, or specific moment as an important aspect of the text. Imagery and Figurative Language Diction that includes sensory cues, created through descriptive language that hold significant meaning and stimulate a reader s awareness. Adapted from http://classroom.synonym.com/write-essay-theme-book-2200.html Your first major writing task will be an essay that demonstrates your knowledge of the text, your understanding of literary elements, and your ability to use textual evidence to connect the elements to the central concept or a major theme in the novel. An essay on the concepts and themes of a book is a synthesis of your reflections on elements of the story and an analysis of their relationship to a deeper and broader meaning. The analysis shows how the concepts are illustrated in the text and why the themes matter, both in story and in the real world. Your analysis might examine why characters make specific choices, how the book's setting has an impact on themes, how symbols are used, what conflicts exist in the text, or how those conflicts are resolved. Overall, your response will draw attention to the critical aspects of the text and reveal to the reader how you use evidence to interpret and draw conclusions. 3
Lorem Ipsum A Note on Reading Non-Fiction Texts If you pick a non-fiction text as your choice reading such as a memoir or historical account keep in mind the following aspects, as non-fiction may differ significantly from literary fiction in several important ways: Structure of the text How did the writer organize the text? sequence or time order similar and/or contrasting ideas description of concrete or abstract details patterns of cause and effect how does the writer use these structures to communicate? how do structural elements help make ideas clear? Author s viewpoint What is the author s opinion, conclusion, and overall attitude toward the topic? diction: an author s word choice creates tone, which in turn creates the mood of a text. An author s attitude toward a topic is revealed in this way. evidence: what types of examples or anecdotes does the author use, and why? Does the author show multiple perspectives? is there a bias evident in the text? fact vs. opinion: what is presented as fact, and what is opinion, and how do you know? 4
5 Required Summer Writing Assignment For Seniors Only Each incoming senior should create a rough draft of college essay (if you are not planning to attend college, write a 650-word essay to describe your strengths to a fictional employer). This will be annotated and edited for your college applications. 2017-2018 COMMON APP Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? 4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. 6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? 7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. Useful Resources Princeton Review The College Essay http://www.princetonreview.com/college/essay.aspx http://www.commonapp.org/ 5
Lorem Ipsum Fiction Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Andrews, Jesse. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl Binchy, Maeve. Circle of Friends Brashares, Ann. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants or Second Summer of Sisterhood Donoghue, Emma. Room Farmer, Nancy. A Girl Named Disaster Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns Guest, Judith. Ordinary People. Hanauer, Cathi. My Sister s Bones. Lake, Nick. In Darkness Lipsyte, Robert. One Fat Summer. Meyers, Walter Dean. Monster Nelson, Jandy. I ll Give You the Sun Oates, Joyce Carol. Small Avalanches or Freaky Green Eyes. Quindlen, Anna. Object Lessons. Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park Sáenz, Benjamin Alire. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Smith, Betty. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Toibin, Colm. Brooklyn. Voigt, Cynthia. Dicey s Song/Izzy, Willy-nilly. Wells, Rebecca. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Mystery/Suspense Capote, Truman. In Cold Blood. Gilstrap, John. Nathan s Run. Grafton, Sue. The Alphabet Mysteries. King, Laurie. The Beekeeper s Apprentice. Roosevelt, Elliot. White House Pantry Murder. Ruby, Laura. Bone Gap Truman, Margaret. Murder at the National Cathedral or Murder in Georgetow Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. Fantasy/Sci-Fi / Asimov, Isaac. Foundation (series) Dashner, James. The Maze Runner Paolini, Christopher. Eragon (Trilogy) Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit; Fellowship of the Ring (Trilogy) Collins, Suzanne. Hunger Games (Trilogy) Cline, Ernest. Ready, Player One or Armada Farmer, Nancy. The House of the Scorpion Non-Fiction Abagnale, Frank, W. Catch Me If You Can. Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. Alverez, Walter, T. Rex and the Crater of Doom. Armstrong, Jennifer. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Aronson, Marc. Art Attack: A Short Cultural History of the Avant Garde. Atkins, S. Beth. Voices from the Street. Boorstin, Jon. Making Movies Work: Thinking Like A Filmmaker. Bowden, Mark. Black Hawk Down. Codell, Esme Raji. Educating Esme. Conkling, Winifred. Radioactive!: How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World Copeland, Aaron. What to Listen for in Music. Dent, David, J. In Search of Black America: Discovering the African American Dream. Dubner, Stephen J. & Steven Levitt. Freakonomics. Gladwell, Malcolm, Blink (or any other title) Hajdu, David. Positively 4 th Street. Hawking, Stephen. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes Hillenbrand, Laura. Seabiscuit or Unbroken. Mathabane, Mark. Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth s Coming of Age in Apartheid Africa. McCourt, Frank. Angela s Ashes. Paulos, John Allen. Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences. Sports Asinof, Eliot. Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series. Blaise, Madeleine. In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle. Breslin, Jimmy. Can t Anybody Here Play This Game? Earnhardt, Dale, Jr. Driver #8. Gallen, David, ed. Baseball Chronicles. Johnson, Scott. Safe at Second. Lally, Robert. Bombers. Lipsyte, Robert. The Contender or The Brave. McKissack, Patricia. Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Myers, Walter Dean. Hoops. Rushin, Steve. Road Swing. Schwarzenegger, Arnold and Douglas Hall. Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder. Mindfulness Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends and Influence People. Covey, Sean. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Johnson, Spencer. Who Moved My Cheese? Lundin, Stephen, C. Fish: A Proven Way to Boost Morale & Improve Results. 6