AP Language

Welcome to the AP Language
Summer Reading Program 2023


Assignment #1

Read two of the works from the reading list below.

AP Language Book Choice List 2023

As you read, use your favorite method—sticky notes, page flags, a note pad, the margins of the book, etc., to track key passages you find particularly powerful. (I expect you would have about 25 or so for each work.)  These passages should reflect the following rhetorical elements: audience, style, tone, purpose, message, and speaker.  Furthermore, these passages might elicit a question from you, contain interesting allusions and/or metaphors, use effective, meaningful diction, or provide interesting facts. Do not be afraid to ask questions to challenge commentary from your author and to critique your author. During the first week of class, you will be asked to share notations and explain why you chose a particular passage. You will also have a written assignment that will ascertain the books were read in their entirety.

Focus Areas for Guided Reading (we will discuss these):

  • Consider the rhetorical situation of the book. (Rhetorical situation: Individuals write within a particular situation and make strategic writing choices based on that situation.)
  • What is the historical context of the book and why does it matter?
  • Research the author and synthesize his/her background in relation to the content/context of the book.
  • What is specific about this author’s writing style? How is it unique to the rhetorical situation?
  • Note some beautifully-written passages and the rhetorical strategies the author uses
  • What is the overall purpose of the book? What did the author hope to achieve? 

Please Note: This list was created to allow significant choice for students with varied interests. Ultimately, the choice of the title from this list is up to students and parents.

Please contact the head of the Homestead High School English Department, Nicole Vickrey, at [email protected] if you have any questions.  

Click here for a PDF of the AP Language Summer Reading Assignment and Book Choices