Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Dear Parents and Students of DePaul College Prep,

One of the requirements of all students to achieve the highest levels of success from the start of the year is summer reading. We believe in this practice, as it has been shown to continue development of reading comprehension skills, build vocabulary, and broaden reading inventory necessary for the college preparation process.

Each grade level has a specific novel that is required summer reading*. Additionally each student will have a set of written tasks associated with his/her reading selection(s), which will be due the first day of school.

*Support DePaul College Prep by ordering your Summer Reading book on Amazon Smile.*

Task #1:

Compose ten (10) quality open-ended questions related to the novel’s themes, characters, choices, consequences, conflicts, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, or setting.

What is an open-ended question?

We consider an open-ended question one that requires more than a one-word answer. Open-ended questions are not right or wrong questions. They are the kinds of questions that require thinking and consideration.

An example of a closed–ended question for a novel like Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street would look like:

Q: What does Esperanza say her mother’s hair smells like?

A: Bread.

An example of an open-ended question about Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street would look like:

Q: How might The House on Mango Street be different if the narrator were a boy?

A: Yes! This will require some thought!

A couple of things we have found that help in composing open-ended questions:

1. Use How and Why instead of Who, What, When, Where, etc.
2. You can take a closed-ended question and open it up by asking How or Why when you conclude it, as in:
   Q: Which of the minor characters has the greatest effect on Esperanza’s life? How?

Task #2:

After your summer reading is finished please complete the following essay:

1. Identify the central theme (research this literary term if it is unfamiliar to you) in the novel and find three specific examples from the novel to support that theme.
2. Write a 3 paragraph essay exploring the theme.

Format must include:

Paragraph 1 - introductory paragraph:

• Attention grabber
• Include background sentences about the purpose of your paper
• Strong thesis statement (Last sentence in your first paragraph stating what you believe the theme of the novel is based on the reading)

Paragraph 2 -Body/Proof paragraph:

• State the basic theme of the novel
• You will insert your first example from the book that best shows how that theme is expressed
• Then explain how the example proves the theme
• You will insert your second example from the book that best shows how that theme is expressed
• Then explain how the example proves the theme
• You will insert your last example from the book that best shows how that theme is expressed
• Then explain how the example proves the theme

Paragraph 3 - Brief concluding paragraph:

• Restate your thesis statement (Please do not copy and paste – rephrase this sentence)
• Briefly conclude any final thoughts about your paper

Typing format:

1. Times New Roman
2. 12 Point font
3. Double spaced
4. 1 inch margins
5. Name, date, subject -single spaced at the top right corner of the paper
6. No title
7. Please write in complete sentences
8. Avoid using the pronouns I, me, us, we, or you
9. When citing your 3 examples, please include page number at the end of the quotation. Please refer to the example: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263)

The English Department would like to personally welcome all new and returning families to DePaul College Prep as we embark on the 2018-2019 school year. We consider it a privilege to teach your children, and we look forward to a successful year.

Regards,

The DePaul College Prep English Department

*IB students have additional and or alternative readings per your teacher for those courses. Contact Ms. Bojorges for information at: hbojorges@depaulprep.org

*AP students have additional and or alternative reading per your teacher for those courses. AP students should contact Ms. Ziccarelli for information at: mziccarelli@depaulprep.org