It’s time for SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS!!! :) Please take out a piece of paper and a writing instrument. Our goal for using this summer assignment today: To understand AP expectations & to become better writers by the end of this period.

AP Summer Assignment Statistics Let’s talk about grades… AP Summer Assignment Statistics Out of 112 (all junior AP classes combined) assignments graded: A’s= 8 7% B’s= 35 31% C’s= 48 43% D’s= 9 8% F’s= 12 11%

AP Summer Assignment Weeds & Roses

WEEDS!! #1 Formatting Font size- 12 not 14 or 16; regular not bolded; Times New Roman is standard Spacing- too much white space on the page Do not skip lines between paragraphs Don’t waste space by re-typing the question

#2 Paragraphing!! What is the purpose of paragraphs? What do you do in the beginning of every paragraph? Indent!! How many paragraphs should you use?

#3 I think that John Proctor is the ultimate example of sacrifice in The Crucible. Using “I” makes you sound unsure and weak. Is using “I” ever acceptable in an essay?

#4 Questions to start an essay- What is sacrifice? In general, this is cliché. #5 Calling the author by his/her first name-- we are not best friends with Arthur. ** Always refer to an author by full name, Arthur Miller, and then by last name only.

#6 Weed- Analyzing or discussing literature in the past tense. Ex: John Proctor was the ultimate example of sacrifice in The Crucible. **Always use present tense.

DUH. #7 Having something (worthwhile) to say vs. Saying something (filling up the space; usually this is all plot summary)

There were many examples of sacrifice that provide a sense of hope in The Crucible. One person who made sacrifices was Elizabeth Proctor. In the beginning of the play, she was a cold, defensive woman reacting to the affair that her husband, John, had with their servant, Abagail. Although she had been hurt, she was honest and loved her husband. The biggest moment was when she allowed John to die at the end of the play when she said, “He have his goodness now!”

Giles Corey was also someone who can be seen as a light of hope in the midst of tragedy because of the sacrifice he made. He refused to make a false confession and was pressed to death. This shows integrity as he chose to be honest instead of saving his own life. Lastly, John Proctor showed hope because he was a man who was not perfect but wanted to die with integrity. In the beginning of the play, we find out that John was having an affair with Abigail and did not go to church. In the end though, he chose to do what is right and die to preserve his name. This illustrates that he was a changed man who should be admired for his sacrifice.

Tips to avoid just saying something: Do the DUH test. Think of your audience. Instead… Engage yourself… what is SO interesting about this… (Oprah) Dig deep, make a connection, get philosophical Answer the question (with some passion): SO WHAT???

ROSES!! Upon losing one’s name, one loses everything about themselves-- their identity, their faith, their soul, and their freedom, in a way. To lose oneself is to be a prisoner in one’s own mind, lost forever to the search for an identity. If Proctor had chosen to allow the confession to be made public, it is very unlikely that he could have gone back to his old life as a man somewhat respected for his dignity and honor. The townspeople would have seen his confession as the sale of his soul for life, which is actually a choice some of the townspeople made.

The third and final definition of “crucible” is “a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.” Certainly this could be Miller’s intended use of the word, for profound and lasting changes are a result of both the witch trials and McCarthyism. The town was transformed from a group of relatively quiet and peaceful people who had occasional minor quarrels, into a town that was basically two warring factions. The deep, almost primal, piety interacted with a great fear of witchcraft to influence an even greater change-- that is, the end of the virtual theocracy in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Salem itself was the crucible in which this occurred.

Time to practice actually saying something worthwhile (& passing the DUH test :) Discuss the sacrifice of one of the following characters: John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, or Giles Corey. Write a paragraph on your weeds & roses paper.

Grade Breakdown Score is out of 240 points A= 216-240 B= 192-215