SHS 9th Grade Honors English Summer
Reading Assignment
for the 2010- 2011 School Year
1. Essay Response:
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry – Read the play and then respond to the following prompt: This essay is due the first day of school. Be sure to include a thoughtful introduction including a clear thesis, at least 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion. All grammar rules apply.
Essay Prompt
In Honors English 9, we explore the metaphoric “monsters” we face in our lives. Choose a “monster” such as materialism, racism, poverty, sexism, etc. Apply this topic to the play Raisin in the Sun and explain its meaning and significance in the play as a theme. Write a well-organized essay with an introduction, including a thesis, body paragraph(s), and a conclusion. Use specific examples from the play to support your opinions.
2. Study Guide for Edith Hamilton’s Mythology
Directions: You do NOT need to write ANYTHING for this. On the first day of school, you will take a test on the book. This guide is for YOUR OWN STUDYING ONLY.
1. From the Introduction:
a. How did the Greek myths evolve?
b. Who were the three most important writers of Greek myths?
From Part One:
a. Describe each of the major Greek gods in complex or compound sentences:
b. Who was Polyphemus?
From Part Two:
a. Compare and contrast Romeo and Juliet to the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe.
From Part Three and Four:
a. Describe each of the four major heroes before the Trojan War
b. Why did the Trojan War begin?
c. Summarize the adventures of Odysseus in one succinct paragraph.
From Part Five:
a. Compare the stories of Oedipus and Antigone.
From Part Six:
a. How is the phrase, “The Midas Touch” misleading according to the myth?
b. How did Scylla become a hideous monster?
7. Discuss 5 modern allusions (references) to Greek myths.
8. Brainstorm three reasons why it is important to study Greek mythology.
3. Read Four Novels this summer -
- one from each English Honors 9 Category (i.e. Anthem, Odyssey,
Romeo and Juliet, and Modern Literature)
