The focus of the Grade 11 AP course is understanding, analyzing, and writing non-fiction prose, connecting fiction prose (drama and novels) to rhetoric and argumentation, and using multiple sources to develop and support your own arguments. The required preparatory reading for Grade 11 AP English Language includes two literary memoirs, a segment of a book on understanding and crafting arguments, selections from newspapers / magazines, and a play.
Literary memoir: Writers writing about their literary lives
The year will begin with an assignment on this selection of books (read at least two):
On Writing by Stephen King Just Kids by Patti Smith
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
As you read, use a highlighter and/or post-it notes to briefly annotate the text, paying particular attention to passages you feel illustrate pivotal moments in the authors’ increasing awareness of how storytelling, reading and/or writing define their senses of self and their voices.
On argument: Thank You For Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs (2007)
What makes an argument work? Jay Heinrichs’ book provides you with insights into the nuts and bolts of persuasion by building on a foundation of classical rhetoric but then linking it to the tricks of great speakers in recent history as well as to pop culture. Early in the course you will examine exemplary writings, figure out what makes them tick, and learn to use these tricks of the trade in your own work.
Read Chapters 1 – 13. No writing is required as you read (and you are not asked to memorize any terminology), but you should quickly mark pages (e.g. with post-its) that give you surprising or “aha!” moments, e.g.: a technique you’ve observed in your reading elsewhere (such as in your periodical reading, below), or one that you’d like to try out yourself. These moments will provide a foundation for our discussions and work at the beginning of the year.
Non-fiction periodical reading
It is important for this course that you read widely and continuously about current events, local, national and international issues, topics of interest in other fields (science, economics, psychology, etc.) – your own interests should guide your reading.
Over the summer, read from a variety of reputable sources (see below) and clip / collect four substantial items (at least 300 words long – no maximum length) from those sources. They should be argument oropinion pieces, not news stories or informational articles. They may be taken from print or online sources, but you should use at least two different publications.
Keep your articles together in a folder (physical or on your computer). I will be asking you to bring them to class in the first few weeks to do some writing about your selections.
Examples of suggested newspapers/magazines
(this is just a sampling; you should feel free to explore any other North American or international newspaper or magazine that contains persuasive opinion writing):
The Globe and Mail (Canadian newspaper) The New York Times (US newspaper)
The Washington Post (US newspaper) The Guardian (UK newspaper)
Maclean’s (Canadian news magazine) The Economist (UK news magazine)
Time (US news magazine) The New Yorker (US ideas magazine)
The Atlantic (US ideas magazine) or Atlantic Online The Walrus (Canadian ideas magazine)
Salon.com (online ideas magazine) Slate.com (online ideas magazine)
Arts and Letters Daily (an online compilation of items from around the English-speaking world)
Fashion, lifestyle, or popular culture/entertainment magazines are NOT recommended unless the writing you are using from them is substantial (e.g. Vanity Fair and similar publications may sometimes have in-depth articles on thought-provoking subjects).
Play: Oedipus the King in The Three Theban Plays (Sophocles; translated by Robert Fagles)
Our first major class text is Antigone; being familiar with the story of Oedipus will be helpful in understanding its “sequel”. You do not need to annotate or take any notes at all – simply read the play for its story! I recommend that you leave this reading to last; if you don’t get the chance to read it in the summer, you can read it when you return to school. However, you may want to get this reading done while you know you have the time.
Note that the Fagles translation of this text, as listed on the CSBE website, is the required edition for this course.
And, finally
Pre-reading of other course texts is NOT required. Books may be bought yourself or ordered through the Canadian School Book Exchange. Check its site for the recommended editions.
I strongly recommend you read independently as much as possible over the summer, for pleasure and to expand your boundaries. Here are some suggestions that focus on issues and ideas in our course and elsewhere. Check them out online or by browsing at a bookstore to see what interests you.
Animal Farm by George Orwell (might interest those taking World History)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (might interest those taking Law or Biology)
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (might interest those taking Philosophy or Anthro/Psych/Sociology)
Zeitoun by David Eggers (might interest those taking World Issues)
If you have the opportunity to attend the theatre in the summer, any of the following plays would be good enrichment experiences:
• At The Stratford Festival: The Merchant of Venice; Othello
• At The Shaw Festival: Lady Windermere’s Fan; Arcadia
• At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts (Distillery District): Angels in America, Parts 1 and 2