English II Honors – Summer Assignment



Honors English II Summer Reading Assignment

African Novel

Reading Assignment: You have the choice of reading one of the following novels over the summer: Cry, The Beloved Country (Alan Paton), Kaffir Boy (Mark Mathabane), Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe), or A Long Way Gone (Ishmael Beah). We will begin our Honors English II studies with our “Many Faces of Africa” literature unit, so it is important that you read and complete the summer reading assignment, which is explained below.

For your assignment, you will keep an illustrated journal that also includes a map.

Trace the thoughts and movement of the protagonist throughout your novel through a double-entry journal and map. A double-entry journal means that each page of the journal is split – on the top of the page, you quote important passages directly from the novel, and on the bottom of the page, you record your protagonist’s thoughts about the event or idea in the quoted passage. You will be writing in FIRST PERSON, as if you ARE the protagonist! The order of the journal entries should correspond to the order of his movement in the novel, which you will document on the map as best as possible.

Protagonist and setting of each novel:

Cry, The Beloved County: Reverend Stephen Kumalo / South Africa

Kaffir Boy: Johannes/Mark (he uses both names – but both are the same person) / South Africa

Things Fall Apart: Okonkwo / Nigeria

A Long Way Gone: Ishmael Beah / Sierra Leone

Requirements:

• There should be no fewer than 10 journal entries (one page per entry)

• Each journal entry includes a significant passage from the novel (in quotation marks, with the author’s last name and correct page number in parentheses) on the top portion of the page.

Example of correct citation format from Cry, The Beloved Country:

“Yes, God save Africa, the beloved country” (Paton 259).

• Quoted passages should be selected because of their importance to the understanding of the novel; length does not matter (longer is not necessarily better!) Make certain to include passages from all parts of the novel – beginning, middle, and end. Portions of the protagonist’s entire story should be reflected in the journal.

• You are writing as if you are the protagonist, so write the journal entries in FIRST PERSON, as if it is truly his journal. The thoughts recorded on each page should correspond to the passage that was quoted on the upper half of the page.

• Try to capture the essence of your protagonist in writing. Your goal is to help explain his feelings and thoughts about his experiences throughout his journey – help the reader understand his struggles and victories. You want the reader of your journal to discover what he is learning about himself, other people, the world, and life.

• Each entry from the protagonist should be at least ½ a page, double-spaced.

• The response entries must be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font.

• The passages from the book can be single-spaced if needed, in order to allow enough room for the protagonist’s personal entry.

• Put the pages together in an actual journal that you have created – you may use paper, cardboard, cloth, or any other appropriate material to create the journal. The journal cannot exceed regular 8 ½ x 11 size paper.

• Include an interesting cover page for the journal. Try to make it look realistic, as if could really have been a journal that your protagonist used during the time period of the novel.

• The last page of the journal should be a color map of South Africa, on which the protagonist’s journey is marked. You should draw the map. It may NOT be printed off the computer, although you are allowed to trace a map. Mark important locations and geographic elements on the map, including all places that were significant in the journey of the protagonist. Make sure to include a map key.

• Add a minimum of five illustrations throughout the journal. You have freedom to add these where you desire. These should be hand-drawn. Do NOT download images from the internet. You want it to look like an authentic journal, where the writer has sketched in meaningful people, places, symbols, and memories from his life. You may use color, but it is not required. You will not be graded on artistic ability, but rather on creativity of thought.

This assignment will be due for ALL Honors English II students on September 7th, 2012.

Whether you are signed up to take English II in the fall or spring semester, a hard copy of your summer reading project is due to your English II teacher on (or before) September 7th!!

All students taking English II in the fall should also plan to take a test on the novel on September 7th. Spring English II students may opt to take the test after school that day, as well, but this is not required. They may wait to take the test when they take English II in the spring semester.

***Students who are taking English II in the fall must upload the summer reading assignment into by midnight on September 7th. This will be explained and student accounts will be set up during class time. All students who are taking English II in the spring must not only turn in a hard copy of the project to their English II teacher, but they must also email an electronic copy to their English II teacher by September 7th. If you do not upload or email an electronic copy to your teacher, your project will not be graded.

English II Teacher Email Addresses:

Ms. Schaefer lschaefer@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Ms. Bennett ekbennett@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Ms. Robertson lcrobertson@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Mrs. Paynter rmpaynter@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Please email your teacher with any questions or concerns that you may have over the summer.

Enjoy reading! We look forward to seeing you next school year! (

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