The Dirty Work of Empire at Close Quarters.

First, we’ll get started with ‘Elephant.’

What could go in the following blanks.

• “No one had the ___________________ to raise a riot…”
• “…the crowd yelled with __________________    ____________________.”
• “…the sooner I ________  ____________  ___________ ___________ and got out of it the better.”

Then, we’ll use the questions to lead us through the piece and analyze how he captures his ambivalence with the specific situation as well as with the general situation.

We’ll then take a shot at some AP type multiple choice questions and see how they are put together.

Next, I want you to search through This I Believe for 2 essays based around the same idea and write a quick compare/contrast as well as 4 excerpts that you think illustrate some of the ideas we’ve been talking about (hook, specific examples, surprising language, persona, and complexity/nuance). Be ready to present.

Finally, I want you to take a walk and tell a buddy about something important that happened to you.  When you get back, buddies will tell us the story and see if we can hook it up to something larger.

HW:  Read Frederick Douglass’ “Learning to Read and Write” and analyze in 250 words how the writer creates a persona.  How does he present himself to the reader?  What examples does he choose and why? How does he deal with the issue of power and culture in the society he is a part of?

Also, brainstorm 2 pages or so of possibilities for personal essay work.

Image Credit: “Elephant”" by BigFrank Flickr