(Beginnings of American Literature, Review of Persuasive Writing, Language, and Vocabulary)
Synopsis: The Colonial Period in American literature will be introduced with sample literary works from the period. Emphasis will be placed on nonfiction Colonial texts, as well as on persuasive and expository writing.
Students will research and analyze the various contributions of the American Colonial Period by developing both written and oral presentations. A review of persuasive texts will also help students incorporate persuasive
writing techniques into an essay and presentation. Throughout the unit, various forms of nonfiction texts will be utilized by students to explore the characteristics of the Colonial Period in American literature. Content and SAT vocabulary will be studied, acquired, and applied throughout the unit. Students will apply this vocabulary throughout their study of American literature.
Week 1: Texts Covered
“”Horrors ofa Slave Ship”, “He Purchases his Freedom” p.272-280
from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
(http://chnm.gmu.edu/cyh/case-studies/141?section=primarysources&source=143)
Week 2: Texts Covered
from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God p. 168
Lesson on “Sinner” and resources
“To My Dear and Loving Husband” p. 77
The Crucible by Arthur Miller Week 3:
“Information about Non-Fiction Literature” (hand-out)
“On Reading Trash (hand-out) “Graduation” (hand-out)
Additional:
Grammar
Literary Terms
Figurative Language
Writing Strategies
Range Finders
Analyze Visual Representations
Exposure to non-fiction articles that will promote analytical thinking and synthesis.
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Unit 1 (cont.): 1600-1800- Writers of the Revolution (Revolutionary Ideas in Revolutionary Literature)
Synopsis: Non-fiction texts from the American Revolutionary period will be studied and analyzed with an emphasis on their use of persuasive rhetorical strategies. Emphasis will be placed on the lasting impact of these texts and their role in shaping an emerging and new form of government on the world stage. After whole class discussion of specific strategies and stylistic devices (parallelism, repetition, allusion, etc.), students will work in pairs and groups to analyze text and evaluate persuasive techniques. Students will practice incorporating newly learned rhetorical and stylistic devices into their own persuasive writing. Students will read and discuss representative American poetry and evaluate emerging American voices. The culminating project will allow students to showcase their persuasive skills in writing and speaking.
Week 4: Texts Covered
Philip Freneau, To the Memor of the Brave Americans p288
The Wild Honey Suckle p.289
James Cooper “fromteh Pioneers” p.336
Week 5: Texts Covered
The Declaration of Independence p. 259
Speech in the Virginia Convention p. 265
Letter to John Adams p. 267
Week 6: Texts Covered
Thomas Paine from Common Sense p. 242
Additional:
Grammar
Literary Terms
Figurative Language
Writing Strategies
Range Finders
Analyze Visual Representations