Greetings! I hope you've enjoyed your TV viewing (or TV binging) experience. I'm excited to see which series you chose and what you thought of it. Soon you'll be gettin' cozy with your required reading and the post-apocalyptic world of Cormac McCarthy. 

But before you're off on The Road, let's get after Part 1 of your assignment, which is a bit of "class discussion" over on our AP Lit class discussion board. In order to participate, you'll want to sign up as a member of the forum. You'll be able to sign up through social media or your email. 

IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS CREATING AN ACCOUNT, YOU MUST CONTACT ME. 

Please follow the directions to the assignment on the AP Literature Discuss page Remember, the discussion opens on June 29 and closes July 3. That ought to give you plenty of time to think and talk.  

Alright: I think that's it. Enjoy! 

Oh, PS. You can always, always, always feel free to ask questions by commenting on this blog. Just FYI everything in the comments section requires approval from me. :)

Hi all! You have three things to do this summer: 1 - watch TV; 2 - read The Road by Cormac McCarthy; 3 - read a book you choose. Of course it's a tiny bit more involved than that, as explained in your summer reading task sheet. 

But think about this for me, will ya'? Why is the clip below so summoning? What makes it beautiful or moving or lasting?

Kind of interesting when you consider how cheesy or played this scene could come off. So: why? 

Dear Future AP Lit Students,

            If you’re reading this letter it’s most likely because you’ve signed up for a rigorous, challenging, intellectually transformative class – Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, which is a long, fanciful name for a course that requires a strong, get-your-hands-dirty work ethic. It’s important to me that you know the work-load of AP Literature will challenge you, which you probably already know, but what's more important that you know is the work you do will be rewarding. 

           If you have an eager and curious mind, and I know you do or you wouldn’t be here reading this, this course will help you to develop some heavy-duty literary skills. And by skills, I mean a systematic, utilitarian way of reading deeply and analytically, the ability to produce clear, elegant, and creative written responses to literature, and a cultural awareness of some of the greatest and most famous Literature-with-a-capital-L ever written. You will have the opportunity to grow intellectually and emotionally, and you will probably be able to answer a few Jeopardy questions along the way, too. It goes without saying that I am beyond excited to be teaching this course again next year. 

            But before we get too rapt with excitement and possibility, let’s start with The College Board’s vision of AP Lit, yes? Here is an excerpt from the course description. You will, of course, get more specific and tailored information on your syllabus in the fall.