Costello AP Lit Q4 Novel Choice Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison The Great Gatsby

y by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Your study of your selected novel will continue to help in preparation for both the multiple choice and essay portions of Mays AP test. Heres how well tackle the task: 1. NOTE-MAKING (both weeks) During the summer, you kept a handwritten reading journal that focused on 6 broad aspects of literature (these are often the aspects they ask about in the multiple choice and essay sections of the AP test). This process has a similar focus, and should be done while you are reading, not after youve read: Students will agree with Mr. Costello on a midpoint that will allow notes to be checked at the end of the 1st week. At the end of the 2nd week, notes through the novels conclusion will be checked. Throughout the entirety of the novel, you will be asked to identify and comment on excerpts of text that contribute to the following aspects of a novel: o o o o o o Characterization Structure Setting Technique Style Themes

In your reading journal, you will make notes on these 6 categories, analyzing what youre seeing the text do. Think of these as comments you would normally make in large and small group discussion. They should reveal what youre noticing, and what analysis youre making as you study the novel. Use page numbers and direct quotes to establish the context of your notes. See the next page for a note-making template to follow:

Costello AP Lit Notes related to CHARACTERIZATION Quotation and page # Significance

Costello AP Lit Rather than establish a specific number of passages that must be noted, I will say that your notes will be graded as a visual reflection of your level of study throughout the entirety of the work. While different novels will have varied uses of these 6 categories, all works will certainly use them in some capacity. As a general expectation, plan for 4 pages of space per category. While its unlikely that all 6 categories merit that amount of space, one novel may require more space for structure as another may require more attention to characterization. Well just have to see what happens as we study! As always, the intent is to have a reading journal that reflects close and thoughtful study of literary techniques, not recordings of skimming or random selection of details. Here are some general questions to help you look out for these literary traits:

Characterization: Identify the protagonist, antagonist(s) and any foils or parallel characters. How is characterization generally achieved direct/indirect (through action, dialogue, physical description, comments from other characters, direct telling by the author)? How does each key character illustrate some aspect of the theme? What quotes capture who the main characters are and the ideas their struggles are meant to represent? Structure: What is the organizational pattern (Circular, hero quest, frame classic five act Shakespearean approach, episodic, climactic scenes)? In what way does this structure shape the readers experience and understanding of the work? How does it help to advance the theme? Setting: How is the storys time or place important to the conflict or thematic ideas of the novel? Also consider when and where the novel was written. Did any events inspire the author? What historical events or cultural developments helped influence or shape the novel? Is the novel in any way autobiographical? What should we know about the author in order to fully understand the work? What writers or thinkers influenced the author? What do critics have to say about the work? Technique(s): How does the author convey his or her thematic message? What point of view is used? What effect does it have? Is the narrator reliable? Does the author use intruding narrative devices such as letters, author comment, diaries, internal narration or flashbacks? What is the effect on theme? Does the author use irony either situational or dramatic? Does the author use humor? Pathos? Does the author use symbols? What do they signify? Note the authors use of imagery. What colors, sounds, smells or other images are significant? Are any repeated as a motif? What figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, irony, etc.) does the author use? What is the thematic effect? Style: Consider the language and attitude of the author. What seems to be the authors personality as demonstrated in the work? What can you say about the authors syntax (sentence structure)? Do sentences tend to be long, short, concrete, abstract, direct, indirect? What effect does this have on the reader and the theme? Look at the diction (word choice). Is it direct, forceful, pedantic, colloquial, vulgar, sensuous, satirical or learned? What is the tone of the writing? What seems to be the authors attitude about the theme? Try to come up with at least two unique adjectives that describe the authors tone/attitude. How does this tone help shape the theme? Themes: The writers main statement(s). What argument or idea is being asserted through the work? What abstract concept is being made concrete through its representation in person, action, or image within the work? What generalization does the work make about the human condition? What is the authors purpose in writing? What is the thematic climax of the work and how is the thesis argument resolved? Where does the author leave us in terms of the theme?

Costello AP Lit 2. BLOGGING (both weeks) Similar to our summer reading and approach to poetry, short stories, and drama, you will use blog entries to sort out your thoughts as you study the novel. This is meant to be done periodically throughout your reading, almost as reading breaks, allowing yourself to process your thoughts. You will be responsible for 10 entries that cover the entirety of the novel. Here are some specifics: Each blog must begin with a cited excerpt from the novel, from which your entry will be based. Each blog post must be between 8-16 sentences in depth (not including the excerpt). Each entry must be posted separately. You will post 5 blogs in the 1st week of the project, and 5 in the 2nd week (see project calendar) At least three of the entries per week must critically analyze the effect of a literary technique on the work. You will do so by relying in the summer literary terms and/or the concepts typically covered in AP multiple choice questions, class discussion, etc. The other two entries may be more personal, reflective, though youre welcome to make those entries of lit. terms analysis. But even personal entries must still be rooted in analyzing the text. Do NOT summarize. Continue to label your posts according to topic, author, literary technique, etc. Though not required, continue to find links to other works of literature, pop culture, etc. Though not required, reading and commenting on other classmates blog posts was mentioned as a help during summer work, and so it stands to reason that spending some time reading and commenting on other classmates blog posts can help here as well! This assignments focus is NOT pinpoint accuracy of analysis. These blogs should be a reflection of your initial understandings, confusions, questions, and analysis. They should not be regurgitations of class discussion or an outside sources analysis. Its expected that after more time and discussion, you will look back on your blog entries and notice the growth that has come with further studying of the material.

3. TIMED WRITING (last week only) At the end of the novel, you will complete a timed writing, using your novel choice as the work applied to the prompt. I will likely seek your input in selecting appropriate prompt options from the handout.

Costello AP Lit The following page includes a calendar of due dates and such: Su 4/15 M 4/16 T 4/17 Frankenstein Timed Writing W 4/18 Class time to study TH 4/19 Class time to study F 4/20 Sa 4/21

Su 4/22

M 4/23

T 4/24 1st set of notes due upon arrival to class In-Class Blog Discussion

W 4/25 Class time to study

TH 4/26 Class time to study

F 4/27 AP M.C. Test

Sa 4/28

1st set of blogs due before 11pm

Su 4/29

M 4/20

T 5/1 2nd set of notes due upon arrival to class

W 5/2 Timed Writing (8th pd.)

TH 5/3 Timed Writing (1st & 3rd pd.)

F 5/4 SENIOR PICNIC

Sa 5/5

2nd set of blogs due before 11pm

In-Class Blog Discussion