AP English Literature and Composition Commitment Letter

May 15, 2009

My name is Mr. James Cook. I will be teaching the AP English Literature and Composition course during the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, Gloucester High School can offer only one section of AP English Literature and Composition during the 2009-2010 school year, which means that some of twenty-seven students who have signed up for the course will not be able to take it. Before the English Department selects students for the course I want to make sure you are still committed to doing all that taking AP English Literature and Composition entails.

During the summer you are expected to read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (581 pages), Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (171 pages), Translations by Brian Friel (86 pages), Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (109 pages), and a book of your choice from the Gloucester High School summer reading list. You will also be expected to attend four AP English summer sessions at Gloucester High School, read and write comments on the AP English blog, and write analytical and personal responses to the summer reading. This list is not intended to scare you off. However, I want to honest and upfront about the expectations. If you are seriously committed to reading, writing, and thinking at a college level, I promise that you will find the summer experience to be fulfilling and rewarding.

During the school year you will read approximately 500 pages and write approximately twenty pages per term. You are expected to be self-motivated and genuinely engaged; and, since the goal of the class is for every student to do well on the AP exam, it is important that you are willing to work with classmates in small groups to analyze text and evaluate peer work. The class atmosphere must be collegial rather than competitive, and you must do your share of the work.

Please consider this information and make a decision about whether or not you are committed to fulfilling the requirements of AP English Literature and Composition. Please complete the form on the back and attend a brief but mandatory meeting in room 2207 on Wednesday, May 20 immediately after school. If you have questions about any of the expectations please stop by 2207. I am looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

James W. Cook
English Teacher
Gloucester High School