INCOMING SENIORS AP ENGLISH ONLY
Three books are required:
• Oedipus Rex (Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald translation) and
• Crime and Punishment (Constance Garnett translation).
• PLUS, you are also expected to read at least one of the AP-level novels on the incoming seniors summer reading list and to take a test on the novel the first day of class in the fall.
You do not have to read any of the other selections (unless, of course, you want to for your own enjoyment!)
You are also expected to complete the following journal assignment:
In a spiral binder you will complete a comparative analysis of quotes selected from both Oedipus and Crime and Punishment.
There will be a minimum of 10 total entries and you must have at least one quote per text for each of the following areas:
| Description of the tragic hero | |
| Character Flaw of the hero | |
| Hero’s misstep (Hamartia) | |
| Rising action plot events | |
| Climatic Event ( when hero’s fortunes go from good to bad) | |
| Falling action Events | |
| Hero’s moment of Recognition | |
| Cathartic elements ( justice enacted) |
Each page in the journal should introduce one quote from Oedipus and another from Crime and Punishment. Write the quotes out at the top of the page. Make sure to page number the quotes.
Comparative analysis should follow the quotes. Please make sure that your commentary involves higher-level thinking. Do not merely paraphrase the passages. Consider evaluating the claims in the quotes, analyzing the words of the quotes and their connection to other areas of the texts, discussing the implications of the quotes to wider issues outside of the text or to everyday life, pointing out literary elements and effects on the reader.
We strongly recommend that all students keep notes on their reading.
Notes help students retain information and can be reviewed prior to the first week of school.
Students can take notes on characters, plot, settings and themes.