AP English Literature students should read George Orwell's 1984. While reading, students should annotate either a hard copy of the novel, or keep a hand-written journal outlining any intriguing moments, character developments, or real-world connections. The first portion of the novel begins slowly, but students should proceed with the understanding that the story gains significant momentum and concludes quite dramatically. Avoiding online summaries may prove difficult, but is essential. After reading the novel, students should compose a 3-5 page essay that answers the 2015 AP English Literature exam prompt:

In literary works, cruelty often functions as a crucial motivation or a major social or political factor. Acts of cruelty, specifically, are important to the themes of George Orwell's 1984. Write a well-developed essay analyzing how cruelty functions in the work as a whole and what the cruelty reveals about the perpetrator and/or victim.

The essay should be 12 pt. Times New Roman font and double-spaced. The essay will be due by the end of the first week of class. If you have any questions, you can e-mail Mr. Keough at nkeough@upperdarbysd.org.