AP Lang is designed to teach you the tricks of the trade of effective communication, or rhetoric, with an emphasis on nonfiction writing. The course builds on your ability to analyze effective writing, and it gives you opportunities to practice the strategies of great writers. Also, the course develops students into concerned citizens by covering issues that are of public interest. Most of these issues are serious, but there's plenty of room in AP Lang for a good laugh, too.
As the e-mail reminded you, the summer reading for AP Lang consists of three parts. First, all seniors have been assigned Toni Morrison's novel Sula. Second, you must read the seven essays listed below and three of your choosing from Lee Gutkind's The Best Creative Nonfiction. Third, you must read Malcolm Gladwell's influential best seller, The Tipping Point. The assignments for the Sula and The Best Creative Nonfiction are due on Wednesday, September 10, or Thursday, September 11, whichever day you have class. The assignment for The Tipping Point will be completed in class during the second week of school. Now here's what you need to do with these readings:
Sula. Rhetors (people who use rhetoric) appeal to their readers or listeners in three ways: logically, emotionally, and ethically. As you read this novel, pay attention to how Toni Morrison appeals to readers’ reason (or logic), their emotions, and their sense of personal ethics. Identify one example of each kind of appeal in Sula, and explain in three paragraphs (one per appeal) the effect of the appeals.
The Best Creative Nonfiction. From this book, read these seven essays: “Badlands,” “’Mbriago,” “Chores,” “Full Gospel,” “The Truth about Cops and Dogs,” “The Woot Files,” and “My Mother's Touch.” You must also read three essays of your choice. As I mentioned in the e-mail, you should pay attention to “the situation” and “the story” in these essays. Then you must write one of the following two essays (two pages in length). Option 1: Write an essay that analyzes how the situation and the story work in one of the essays from The Best Creative Nonfiction. Option 2: Write an essay that, in its style and content, could be considered for inclusion in The Best Creative Nonfiction.
The Tipping Point. During the second week of class, you will write an in-class AP-style essay on The Tipping Point. See the College Board’s description of the course (the link is to the right) and the sample free-response questions posted on its site for examples of what to expect from this essay. We will discuss the nature of this essay prior to your writing it.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach me by e-mail (fmontas@mph.net). I look forward to seeing you in September!
