Survey III Summer Reading Assignment

Any questions, contact: Kristin.Williams@rusd.org or Judith.Matus@rusd.org

One aspect of this class stresses that learning about different cultures helps us to get along with
and understand others. By learning about other cultures we can compare those cultures to
ourselves and see many similarities that we may not have been able to see before. By reading
literature from other cultures, not only do we learn about the cultures, but also see that the
cultures have many of the same concerns, ideas and expressions as our own culture.
To prepare for the Survey III class next year, there is a summer reading requirement. To
prepare for the class and the first unit of the year, please choose one set of readings from the list
below. The completion of a novel analysis and comparison essay of the two novels will be due
on the first day of class.

Foe by J.M. Coetzee and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bront
So Long a Letter by Mariama B and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas and A Day in the Life of Ivan
Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie and The Metamorphosis by Franz
Kafka

As You Read
Here are some things you want to take note of while you read; these will be themes that you
can write about in your essay assignment:

Culture (values, spirituality, customs, traditions, belief systems, etc.)

Role of women in the book (in relationship to male, other females, or society)
How are people united or divided through out the text? (Junior years theme)
Reoccurring themes
Character development
Significant conflicts
Significant ideas or themes that you note that are not mentioned above

Annotations
Take notes or mark the book while you are reading show it to your teacher and receive a bonus:

Annotations should reflect the bullet points from the As You Read section above
Thorough notes will receive 10-20 bonus points contingent on thoroughness.
25 bonus points will be rewarded for turning it on the first day of school.

The Comparison and Contrast Essay Helpful Writing Tips

On your return to school you will be writing a comparison and contrast essay on your two texts.
IF YOU TURN IN A COMPARISON AND CONTRAST ESSAY ON THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL, YOU WILL RECEIVE 25 BONUS POINTS AND BE ABLE TO REVISE YOUR
ESSAY.
An effective compare and contrast essay:

Identifies similarities and differences between two or more things, people, places, or
ideas in your texts that you read
Provides factual details about each subject
Identifies a purpose for the comparison and contrast; this is your thesis statement
(Introduction)

Gathering Details:
To make your writing detailed and concrete, include facts, examples, descriptions, and
other information that will show the similarities and differences between your subjects. In a
literary comparison essay, you must use quotes from the novel as your examples. Be sure to
follow the CHS writing rubric and proper MLA citation format.
Providing Elaboration:
Dont point out similarities and differences without including facts or information to back
up your statements. You must do more than just state the conclusions you have drawn; you must
include support that helps to develop each of the points you make.

Paper Format:
1. The paper must be typed in MLA format.
a. Use Times New Roman 12 point font.
b. See http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ to find out more about
this format.
2. The essay must be at least five paragraphs long with an introduction paragraph, three
body paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
3. Each body paragraph should include at least one quote from each source (novel) as an
example documented in the correct MLA format.
4. Include a Works Cited page of the novels you are comparing.
5. Use sophisticated writing and grammar in your writing.
* This instructional sheet is typed in Times New Roman 12 point font using one-inch margins.

Grading Scale:
100-93 A

92-85 B

84-77 C

77-70 D

69-0