AP 12 Literature and Composition Summer Reading

Mrs. Zizzi-Putmon (szizzi@scsd.us)

 

 

 

Rationale: Students preparing to enter AP English Literature and Composition need to ready themselves for a rigorous course in which many novels will be read at a fairly rapid pace, closely analyzed, deconstructed and discussed in depth in an intellectual manner. The mandated piece, written at the end of the 19^th century, deals with man’s insatiable quest to advance science and manipulate the human body with dire consequence. The piece is considered a CLASSIC of British literature and will help students familiarize themselves with the study and appreciation of literary masterpieces.

In addition to the mandated novel, students are asked to read a CONTEMPORARY work of their choice from the list below. These are all works written after 1960 and they range from essay collections to novels to dramas. These works represent a variety of authors from different cultures and backgrounds. The purpose of this second selection is three-fold: it is meant to balance the “have to” with the “want to” in this summer’s reading quest, it will serve as a point of comparison for the mandated piece and finally, it will provide Mrs. Zizzi-Putmon with some insight as to what genres appeal to individual students.