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Fahrenheit 451 English 1 Accelerated Summer Reading Assignment 2015-2016:
Thank you for your interest in taking English 1 Accelerated next year! The following is a required
summer assignment due electronically to my e-mail, [email protected] by July 1, 2015.
This assignment is designed to show your close-reading ability, level of analysis and writing ability.
You are required to read the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury in its entirety. The book is
available at the Salida High School library, or you may purchase the book. We will be referring to the
book and the assignment during the first few weeks of school.
This assignment is in two parts – note taking as you’re reading and writing a thematic essay. As you
are reading, please keep a reading journal in which you note the following concepts in the book and
character development. You can use the charts below to help you, but you’ll need to write this on
your own paper to have room to fully comment.
Examine Bradbury’s attitude toward the listed items as well as how we view those things today:
Describe how the
novel views it.
Find a quote to
support your
answer (include
page numbers)
Concept
Describe how
today’s society
views it.
Think of an
example
(commercials,
TV, movies,
personal
experience) to
support your
answer
Television
Cars
Books
Talking with
Friends
Your Choice:
___________
Character Development: is the act of a character changing in attitude, personality, or beliefs
throughout a literary text (physical changes don’t count unless the character’s personality changes
too). Here are some examples:
If a character:







Behaves in a way he or she normally wouldn’t
Reveals something about themselves they normally wouldn’t
Changes their mind about a serious issue
Understands something they didn’t understand before
Changes their opinion about another character
Believes something they once didn’t or no longer believes what they used to
Or any other difference in personality, belief, attitude, or action
Use the chart to help you:
Which character did you choose:
Part of book:
Describe a change for
each box
Supporting Quote and Why did this change
page #
occur?
Beginning
Middle
End
Part 2 – Thematic Essay
A theme is the main idea of a literary work. This is sometimes seen as a message or moral, though
themes don’t always have to teach a lesson. Sometimes themes simply point out basic elements of
life or humanity. Here are a couple of things that themes are not:
Theme is not a…
Plot
Character
Setting
Definition
Here are some examples of themes from various books and movies:
“Sometimes the most unlikely person is the best candidate for a job.” (Waterboy)
“Societal expectations for marriage, true happiness, or wealth don’t always match who
people are.” (Shrek)
“When death is on the line, people will commit unthinkable atrocities.” (Hunger Games)
Your assignment:
As you read the book, determine what main idea (theme) the book suggests. Next, write an
essay that argues how that theme is demonstrated or described throughout the book by referring to
three specific sections. The notes you took on concepts in the book and character development
could help you! Please include page numbers and at least two direct quotations. Conclude your essay
by making a direct connection between the theme of Fahrenheit 451 and your own life.
Organization:
1) Begin with an introduction that states the theme of the book.
2) Prove the theme is the main idea of the book by providing well-developed examples that
are directly found in the text. Include page numbers and at least two direct quotations.
3) Conclude your essay with a personal connection between your life and your theme.
Turn in all materials by July 1, 2015.
Should you have any questions about this assignment, please email me:
[email protected].
Thank you! I look forward to being your teacher!
Mrs. Gamache