Warning: The essay contains a word I will not say in class and do not want you to say.
Today, you will learn:
The importance of understanding context in an argument.
Understanding the importance of diction.
Step-by-Step Lesson Instructions:
Take a few minutes and look up any information you can find about the author James Baldwin.
His picture is below, so you know you're looking up the right author.
Discuss your findings about James Baldwin. What did you learn?
Discuss a concept: rhetorical situation. How does the situation affect the message?
Think about different situations and how it might affect how you use language.
Sitting at a lunch table and arguing about who the best NFL team is.
Being pulled over by a police officer for running a stop sign.
Running into your teacher unexpectedly at Wal-Mart.
Watch a brief video from the Dick Cavett Show from 1968 in which James Baldwin appears. Warning: the discussion is about racism.
Together, we will read the first paragraph of "My Dungeon Shook" (an excerpt from The First Inside by James Baldwin).
Now, what is the context, the rhetorical situation? How does what's going on in the world at the time affect the writing.
Baldwin's word choice is powerful. What words stand out to you?
What is a dungeon? What might the use of the word dungeon indicate about the piece you're going to read?
Warning: "My Dungeon Shook" is not an easy read, despite how short it is.
Independently, read "My Dungeon Shook" and complete the graphic organizer as you read.
or
We can read and discuss it together, paragraph by paragraph. (I'm worried we may not get done.)
Materials Needed: