Summer Reading Requirements

Summer Reading Requirements for English 10 Honor Students
Dear Students:

Congratulations on your enrollment in the English 10 Honors class for the 2010-2011 school year. Each honors class includes a summer reading component with required reading and responding. Getting started in the summer provides you with the initial preparation for the course you will take next year, and allows you the flexibility to progress on your own schedule and at your own pace. All summer reading assignments are due by Tuesday, August 31st, 2010. ALL assignments must be complete! The guidelines and requirements for English 10 Honors summer reading requirements are clearly explained below. Assignments should be typed, however, if your printer or computer does not work then they should be hand written. Please note that students entering the honors program from regular English 9 have additional summer reading and assignment requirements.

Students entering the English 10 Honors program from regular English 9(Three Required Texts):
1. You must read the background information and George Orwell’s novel, 1984 and keep a running dialectical journal (see attached instructions) with at least two entries per chapter!
2. Write a well written essay (double-spaced, typed, 12 point font, times new roman), using specific examples and quotes from the text, answering one of the following prompts:
• Big Brother is one of the most well-known allusions to 1984. What role does he actually play in the novel? How does he affect Winston? How is the effect similar to or different from the effect that O’Brian has on him?
• In what ways is technology used to control the citizens in the novel?
• There are no laws in Oceania. Why, then, is it such a terrifying place to live?

ALL English 10 Honors Students (Two Required Texts):

Edith Wharton, Ethan Frome
1. Read and take notes on Edith Wharton’s, Ethan Frome and the background information provided. As you read the novel, consider the following:
--how do you come to know the characters?
--what do you find appealing or difficult about the author’s technique?
--what makes this an important piece of literature?
--how does it relate to other works you have read?
--what is your general impression?
2. Respond to the four CAPT essay questions (below) in full, supported with evidence from your notes and the novel (please type your essays and use double-spaced, 12 point font, times new roman).
You should have at least 1 ½ pages (typed) per question. Blank responses are not acceptable.

• What are your thoughts and questions about the story? You might reflect upon the characters, their problems, the title, or other ideas about the story.
• How does the main character change from the beginning of the story to the end? What do you think causes this change?


• What does this story say about people in general? In what ways does it remind you of people you have known or experiences you have had? You may also write about stories or books you have read, or movies, works of art, or television programs you have seen. Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.
• How successful was the author in creating a good piece of literature? Use examples from the story to explain your thinking.

Arthur Miller, The Crucible
1. Read and take notes on Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and the background information provided. As you read the play, consider the following questions (you may take notes on them if you would like):
--how do you come to know the characters?
--what do you find appealing or difficult about the author’s technique?
--what makes this an important piece of literature?
--how does it relate to other works you have read?
--what is your general impression?
2. While reading the play, write dialectical journals throughout. I expect at least three (3) journal entries per act, for a total of 12 journal entries. Please see the dialectical journal handout for specific information on writing dialectical journals.

I hope you enjoy the summer reading selections. Please feel free to read more than the required readings; as additional readings will expand your repertoire of literature and prepare you for the literary discussions we will have throughout the year. Should you have any questions or comments you may email me at ckendall@coventryct.org or visit the 10 Honors Blog at http://kendall10honorsenglish.blogspot.com/ or my website at http://sites.google.com/site/chskendalleng/english-10-honors .

Happy reading! 

~Mrs. Kendall