Winter Break Homework – Freshman English 108 – 1~2

QUICK FACTS
1. choose (and buy) any English novel to read over winter vacation
2. grading – five-minute presentation: 8% reader’s journal: 4%
3. you must show me YOUR COPY of the novel (with notes) or you get ZERO

copying or use of translation websites or software (e.g., Google

Translate) will result in a failing grade for this course

Book Review Presentation

This individual presentation is to be delivered on the English book you choose to read during this
winter vacation. You will talk about the book and share what you have learned from the reading. The
presentation will be 5~7 minutes long, with visual aids (namely, The BOOK and PPT [PowerPoint] slides).
This presentation will be worth 8% of your mark for next semester, and you must be ready to present in
the very first class of the new semester.
In addition, you must also show me the actual copy of the book that you read (with your margin notes,
vocabulary work, etc.), and hand in your Reader’s Journal (see below), which will be worth 4% of your
mark for next semester.

Content of the presentation:

1. Introduction (greetings)
2. Book information (what this book is all about in 3-4 sentences)
3. Good sentences or quotes from the book (you should use your English notebook to record these as you read)
4. What I have learned (from the story or the information in the book)
5. Would I recommend this book to my classmates, why or why not?
6. Conclusion

Guidelines for Keeping a Reader’s Journal (in your English notebook)

Directions: While you are reading the book, you are required to note down the sentences that touch and
inspire you in your reader’s journal. These sentences will be used later for preparing your book report. You
should also keep a list of new and/or key vocabulary words.

1. Your reader’s journal should include:

i. The date, amount of time spent, and how many pages covered EACH TIME you read
some of the book.
ii. Important or inspiring sentences. In order to trace the sentences easily in the future, you are
required to record the page number of each sentence. If possible, add your feelings, thoughts
(critical responses) and questions from the reading.
iii. A list of new words and their definitions.
2. Read slowly. This suggestion can't be stressed enough. If you roller skate through an art museum
you won't see the paintings.

3. Read with pen in hand.

 Underline key words, phrases, speeches by major figures, or important statements by the narrator.
 Underline or highlight anything that seems important or inspiring. Take notes on ideas or questions
(don't trust your memory). Write in the margins.
 Keep a list of the characters and/or major events on the inside of the front cover.
 Circle words used in special ways or repeated in significant patterns.
 Look up words that you don't know or words you think you know but seem to have a special
weight or usage. You do not have to look up EVERY word you don’t know – guessing meanings
and tolerating ambiguity is an important part of learning a second language. However, you should
look up words you don’t know which interfere with you understanding of a passage or sentence, or
that are repeated many times throughout the novel. Keep a list of these words and their definitions
in you reader’s journal.

You are free to choose any English novel or nonfiction book that you are

interested in, but the following are a few recommendations you can consider.

1. The Alchemist
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
3. The Hobbit
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
5. Tuesdays with Morrie
6. Five People You Meet in Heaven
7. Pride and Prejudice
8. The Catcher in the Rye
9. Harry Potter series
10. The World Is Flat
11. How Starbucks Saved My Life
12. Dreams from My Father
13. The Last Lecture
14. Remember Who You Are
15. Teacher Man
16. Freakonomics

NOTE: The list above is organized approximately from easier to harder books. That is, I
am sure that the first three or four books are quite easy, and that the very last book
is very difficult.
Adapted by Rolf Zapparoli from material originally created by Vicky Chen of Tsing Hua University