AP Seminar: 2022-2023 Summer Assignment

In AP Seminar you will develop and practice the skills in research, collaboration, and communication. You’ll investigate

topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and give presentations both individually and

as part of a team. As required summer reading, you are to complete two assignments. Both assignments are due on the

first day of class. I’ve included a rubric, sample articles, and a sample response to show you what I expect for both

assignments (found on the PVHS Summer Reading webpage).

Assignment #1: Read the article, “Everyone Thinks Americans are Selfish. They’re Wrong” by Abigail Marsh. Then

respond to the following three questions. Before responding to the questions, print and annotate the article. Your

annotations should include, but should not be limited to, underlining or highlighting evidence and claims in two different

colors –annotation is a requirement for all texts read in AP Seminar.

1. Identify the author’s argument, main idea, or thesis.

2. Explain the author’s line of reasoning by identifying the claims used to build the argument and the connections

between them.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the evidence the author uses to support the claims made in the argument.

“Everyone Thinks Americans are Selfish. They’re Wrong” by Abigail Marsh —

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/26/opinion/individualism-united-states-altruism.html

(If you have trouble with this link, the article is provided in PDF form on the PVHS Summer Reading webpage)

Assignment #2: Read and evaluate the following four texts:

1. Harper’s Magazine May 2022 Index

—https://harpers.org/harpers-index/

(Analyze the index for a common theme within the list and then tie it to the other sources below)

2. “The Really Big One” by Kathryn Schulz

—https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one

(If you have trouble with this link, the article is provided in PDF form on the PVHS Summer Reading webpage)

3. “Doppelgangers” This American Life (podcast)

—https://www.thisamericanlife.org/484/doppelgangers

4. “The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers” by Adam Grant

—https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_the_surprising_habits_of_original_thinkers/transcript

First, think of these four texts as a collection. That said, what makes them a collection? What binds them together? Go

beyond the obvious. Try to see these texts – and their possible meanings – from multiple viewpoints. What central idea,

issue, tension, or conflict do these three texts have in common? Note that there is no single correct answer; the

possibilities are, perhaps, limitless. Use whatever notetaking strategy works for you to documenting your thinking. Please

be ready to share your thoughts with your classmates and your notes and annotations with us.

Second, once you have identified what unites these texts as a collection, propose one additional text-written, audio,

visual, and otherwise –to add to this collection. You may select your text from any source you deem appropriate. Bring

this text to class and be prepared to share your rationale for adding it. How does your choice deepen or extend the

existing collection of texts? Please write a statement of theme for these four pieces and a single paragraph to justify your

theme.

After you’ve read and annotated the five sources carefully, focusing on a theme or issue that connects them and the

different perspectives each represents, write a logically organized, well-reasoned 1,000 – 1,200 word argument that

presents your own perspective on the theme or issue you identified. You must incorporate at least two of the sources read

and link the claims in your argument to your supporting evidence. you may also draw upon your own knowledge. In your

response, refer to the provided sources as Source A, Source B, Source C, and Source D. Your source will become

Source E.

Both assignments are due on the first day of class.