Assumption High School - Class of 2011 Guidance Students Overview

Summer Reading Assignment
Required - Anthem by Ayn Rand Choose one of the following: Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald All students are required to annotate (take margin notes) on BOTH novels. Active Reading Assignment: Margin Notes Annotating will not only help you interact more closely with the texts, but it will also allow you to remember the novels when we discuss them in August. During the first week of school, your teacher will be checking your annotations for points. Your notes should include the following: 1. Chapter summaries: On the last page of each chapter, write a 2-3 sentence summary of the main plot events for that chapter. Please write directly on the page or use Post-It notes. 2. Characters: • Characters’ physical appearance • Characters’ actions • Characters’ thoughts • What others say or think about each character Underline/Highlight in yellow any descriptions or details that provide information about characters. Pay attention to the following: 3. Important passages: Underline/Highlight in red or pink any passages that strike you. Reasons for highlighting a passage could be that it shows conflict, reveals something about the setting, is an example of good writing, is funny, is thought-provoking, or is surprising. Please write your reason for highlighting these passages in the margins. 4. Theme notes: Underline/Highlight in blue any passages related to the theme of Individualism. There are a variety of themes in these novels, but the central one we will focus on concerns being an individual. Individualism means "belief in independent thought or action." You should look for any passages in which characters actively think/act for themselves OR passages in which characters are told that they should not think/act for themselves. Please write your reason for highlighting these passages in the margins. 5. Questions: In the margins, write any questions you have as you read.