Summer Reading for Pre-AP English II

Ms. Ticzons email: eticzon@mesquiteisd.org

Summer Tutorial Hours:
August 4, August 6, August 11, and August 13
9:00am-11:00am
ASSIGNMENT ONE: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Part one:
As you read A Separate Peace, use a highlighter to highlight passages
from the novel with recurring symbols. If you do not own your copy,
you can annotate using sticky-notes. A symbol is a person, place,
object, or activity that has a concrete meaning in itself but also stands
for something outside itself; it takes on this meaning through the
context of the literature.
Highlight the following symbols: the tree, Devon River, marble
staircase, pink shirt, the war, blitzball, summer, winter,
Phineas, and Leper.
o You may want to assign a different color for each symbol.
As you mark passages, consider what these symbols represent.

Part Two:
After you have read and marked your book, transfer 15 significant
quotations (at least one from each category) to a reading log where
you write an explanation of what each symbol represents. Set up your
log in the following manner:
o Divide your paper into three columns. You may find it easier to
use unlined paper and turn it sideways.
o Label the first column on the left QUOTATION, label the next
column SYMBOL, and label the third column EXPLANATION.
o Place your quotations related to the symbols in the left column.
Write out the exact words of the text to which you are responding
and include the page number. DO NOT JUST WRITE OUT THE
PAGE NUMBER! WRITE OUT THE EXACT WORDS!! The quotations
used should be spaced equally throughout the entire novel.
Quotes should be at least 5 lines in length!
o As you copy quotations, identify the symbol in the symbol
column. Then write your explanation in the explanation column.
Explanations must be in complete sentences. Be specific!!

For example:
Quotation

Symbol

Explanation

I jounced the limb ( 52

).

Tree

In this single moment,

jumping from the tree
became something
more than an initiation
into manhood, but
rather, a show of Genes
silent anger toward his
unknowing friend.

Make a cover sheet.

Name
Date
Pre AP English 2
A Separate Peace Journal

ASSIGNMENT TWO: Speech Analysis

Part One:
You will choose a speech given by a prominent leader during World War
II. Here are few people you can choose from:
o Winston Churchill
o Franklin D. Roosevelt
o Joseph Stalin
o Adolf Hitler
o Eleanor Roosevelt
o General George S. Patton

o General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Go to www.americanrhetoric.com to help you find a copy of a speech

given by your chosen individual.

Part Two:
Read and analyze the speech following the steps listed below.
o Note: all notations must be written in blue or black ink; do not
use pencil. For any step that requires highlighting on the
passage, highlight your corresponding marginal comments in the
same color. (The highlighters listed below are required supplies
for the class!)

1. In the space at the top of the passage (or on the back), answer the
following:
What is happening at this point in the text? (Provide the context this may mean the historical context)
Make sure to include the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why)

2. Circle unfamiliar words and define in the margins using a dictionary and/or
context clues. Remember the definition you write down must be useful. Avoid
copying directly from the dictionary if you are unclear about what it is saying.

3. In pink, highlight 10 words you find significant in the passage. Comment in

the margin on these highlighted words, considering:
What associations (suggested meanings based on how the word is
being used) do you have with these words?
Cross out the associations that do not make any sense with the context
of the speech.
[In general, marginal comments will take the form of a phrase such as:
conveys _____. shows ____,suggests ____, or significant because ____]
Highlight comments in pink.

4. In green, highlight evidence of a least THREE language devices. Label the device
marginally and briefly comment on its effect. Highlight comments in green.
LANGUAGE DEVICES
Allusion
Analogy
Parallelism
Repetitions
Rhetorical Questions
Simile
Point of View
Tone
Irony
Cause/Effect
Compare/Contrast
Problem/Solution
5. In blue, draw brackets around at least two 5-10 line blocks (no more/no less) of
text within the passage (anywhere you see a shift in tone); for each, choose an
appropriate tone word. In the margin briefly justify each tone word you selected.
Highlight your comments in blue.
6. In orange, highlight the one sentence that is the closest to expressing either the
authors purpose or theme of the piece. In the margin, write one complete
sentence of what the purpose or theme is and highlight the comment in
orange.
How to Turn In:
Heres how Id like you to turn in your reading assignment and speech:
Acquire a folder with pockets (it doesnt have to be a fancy folder. It
can be a paper folder)
On the front of your folder, write the following information:

Your Name
My Name
Pre-AP English II
Date
Place your reading log in one pocket and your speech in the other
pocket