Sections & Reading Schedule

CHAPTERS/SECTIONS, SCHEDULE &
(SUGGESTED) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (below)

TASKS & ASSIGNMENTS FOR EACH READING / CHAPTER:
When reading, always focus upon any listed questions within the chapter below AND/or on these more general ones:
1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 
(If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up here as well as Aboard the Olympic AND in The Black City.  YOu should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).
6) Apply current Daily Video skills from AP Classroom / Central to the current chapter.

*Practice your timing (reading pace - strive for 5 minutes or less, and try to keep whittling that time down while still identifying >5+ rhetorical strategies / devices per page.  After the first chapter, you should stive to read a page at a 4 minute pace identifying 6 or 7 rhetorical strategies; after a few chapters, hopefully your pace can get to 3 minutes while identifying 7 or more rhetorical strategies.   

Evils Imminent (A Note) p. xi

What components of the rhetorical situation bubble up here?

What sort of rhetorical devices are used in this note?  Why make a “note”? 

  How does the note frame the text? 

*What about the modern world created the serial killer?

Prologue:  Aboard the Olympic /1 pp. (1), 3-7

(BEFORE IT: The epigraphs: what to make of these juxtaposed quotations?)

*What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 
(If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up here as well as Aboard the Olympic AND in The Black City.  YOu should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

-Describe the character of D. H. Burnham.

-How does Larson craft this character analysis of Daniel H. Burnham? 

-What kind of a man is Burnham?

-Why focus on Burnham's foot?

-What sorts of reactions does the characterization of Burnham create (pathos)?

-Where & How does Larson create action? 

-Purpose: What was the purpose of the World’s Columbian Exposition?

-What was it (WCE) known as and why?  What was its mystique?

-How does Larson construct the idea that the building of the WCE was enchanting or magical (4-5)?

-What was “dark” about the white city? 

-How is “the Devil” characterized & introduced (6)?

-Why this journey by boat?  

-What ship is Francis Millet on?

-What ironies are raised by the chapter?

-What characters/persons are listed and who are they?  Who is left alive?  What does this create/do? 

-What seems to happen to the fair?  How?  From whose perspective?  

-How would you describe the VOICE of the narrator?  What is its ethos?

*Why start with this chapter? - this event, this time,...

Part I:  Frozen Music /9

Aboard the Olympic (Prologue)

Analyze the image.  Look for its elements of rhetorical situation.  How does the title of the section impact or frame/shape our view of the picture?

Does the image seem to match the title or nickname of the next chapter?

DUE (Always referring to the chapters above): Sept. 18th before class (along with portions of the chapters below, to about page 20)

Quiz Link (for all of the above sections)

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Ch. 1: The Black City - pp. 11-12; begin reading "The Trouble is Just Begun"

*Background - Historical Events (Chicago Factories) - read / study before reading the chapter.

Analyze the chapter’s construction. 

Analyze the advertisement.

-What is its exigence?

   -Purpose?

What are dangers for the women? 

Analyze and identify the rhetorical devices used in setting up the contrast between danger and death in Chicago 1892 vs. Whitechapel & Jack the Ripper.

What is the BIG question set up, or implied, but not asked in the chapter (at least by page 12)?

*What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up in early chapters.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)
*Background - Historical Events (Factories)

How does this background help establish some of the rhetorical situation surrounding Chicago (and, perhaps, the rest of the USA) in the 1880s?

Ch. 2 The Trouble is just Begun -pp. 13-34

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up in early chapters.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20th (before class)

 Quiz Link

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Ch. 3: The Necessary Supply pp. 35 - 47

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up in early chapters.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).
6) What events and details were described about Holmes' childhood that later seemed strongly relevant to his future "career"? 

7) Why was the chapter titled "The Necessary Supply?"  What was meant by this necessary supply?  What other macabre details help convey Holmes'  ethos or character?  What are some of the details of Holmes' key character traits / ethos? 

DUE THURSDAY, SEPT 21st before class
Quiz Link

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Ch. 4: Becomingness pp. 48-61

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up here as well as Aboard the Olympic AND in The Black City.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).

6) What was an exigence given for setting the dedication date on October 12, 1892?
7) Why was Frederick L. Olmsted at first uninterested, then convinced of participating in designing the landscape for the fair?  What motivated Olmsted?
8) How is Olmsted's character exhibited in the chapter and what was established about his character?

9) What became "at stake" with the fair, according to Olmsted?

10) What is the significance and the irony of citing Rudyard Kipling on the city of Chicago?

DUE FRIDAY, SEPT 22nd before class

Quiz Link

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Ch. 5: Don’t Be Afraid pp. 62 - 74

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up in early chapters.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).
6) Analyze the character of the city of Chicago and the dire situation/position it quickly put women in.  Who were these women and how were they taken advantage of?
7) What attracted H. H. Holmes about the women, especially those migrating to Chicago? 

8) Discuss the "rules about courtship," and what it revealed about Holmes (63).

9) Analyze the character of some of the people who came to be [somewhat] prominent in Holmes' life [Myrta Z. Belknap; Benjamin Pitezel].
10) How did Holmes acquire his wealth and pay for his building project?  How was he able to afford the costs of construction?
11) How and why did Holmes keep the details of the plans of his building from everyone?
12) What kinds of strange things did Holmes include in his building plan?
13) Draw a blueprint of the Holmes building - as detailed in the chapter. 

14) Why does author Erik Larson describe the Jack the Ripper killings in this chapter?
15) What kinds of death threats were given by Holmes in this chapter?
   

Ch. 6: Pilgrimage pp. 75-84

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? (If you notice some here in this chapter, keep an eye out for the same one(s) in the rest of the chapters - the author sets these trends up in early chapters.  You should begin to see some of the most common rhetorical devices / strategies Larson uses.)

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).
6) What was the single most important task for planing the fair [World's Fair/Columbian Exposition], according to Daniel Burnham? 

7) Why did Burnham feel the need to use out of town building designers for the World's Fair? 
8) How did Burnham plan to convince the New York and other cities' builders to participate in designing and building the World's Fair?  Why call the chapter "Pilgrimage," and how does that tie into Burnham's persuasive plan?
9) How does the chapter demonstrate a genius of the character of the builders of the World's Fair, especially overseer Daniel Burnham? 

10) What did Goethe call "frozen music," and how did it add to or reflect Daniel Burnham's and John Root's character or reputations?

11) What was the significance of the fair's official seal?  

Ch. 7: A Hotel for the Fair p. 85 - 93

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

6) What were some of the reasons Holmes decided to build the hotel?
7) Who were the Pinkertons and why or how were they already too preoccupied to pay much attention to Holmes?

8) How did Holmes' outward persona contrast with and help to disguise his hidden, darker character and actions?

9) Who was John Belknap and how was he manipulated by Holmes?  What did Belknap do for Holmes?
10) What was the term coined to describe the qualities missing in men like H. H. Holmes & what character traits would come to define such people?  Who was Dr. Hervey Cleckley & why did he matter in regard to this aspect of Holmes' character?
11) Discuss the many instances of Holmes' "insurance" plans.

12) What are some things that are implied about Holmes - and/or people such as  his clerks?
 

DUE MONDAY, SEPT 25th before class

Quiz Link

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Ch. 8: The Landscape of Regret p. 94-99

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

Ch. 9: Vanishing Point pp. 100-103

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

Ch. 10: Alone p. 104 - 109

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter).
Apply current Daily Video skill topics to the chapter and analyze this topic as it works in the chapter. 

DUE: TUESDAY, SEPT 26th before class

Quiz Link

Part III: In the White City (pp. 233+)

Chapters 26: Opening Day pp. 235+

Chapter 27: The World's Fair Hotel  pp. 243+

Chapter 28: Prendergast  p. 246+

Chapter 29: Night Is the Magician  pp. 247+

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4th before class

Quiz Link

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Chapter 30: Modus Operandi  pp. 256+

Chapter 31: One Good Turn  pp. 258+

Chapter 32: Nannie pp. 264  (5)

Chapter 33: Vertigo  pp. 269  (5)

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE THURSDAY, Oct. 5th before class

Quiz Link

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Chapter 34: Heathen Wanted  pp. 274 (5)

Chapter 35: At Last  pp. 279 (3)

Chapter 36: Rising Wave  pp. 282 (8)

Chapter 37: Independence Day  pp. 290  (3)
1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE FRIDAY, Oct. 6th before class

Quiz Link

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Chapter 38: Worry  p. 293 (1)

Chapter 39: Claustrophobia  pp. 294 (5)

Chapter 40: Storm and Fire  pp. 299 (6)

Chapter 41: Love  pp. 305 (4) 

Chapter 42: Freaks  pp. 309 (8)

Chapter 43: Prendergast p. 317 (1)

Chapter 44: Toward Triumph  pp. 318 (3)

Chapter 45: Departures pp. 321 (6)

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 9th

Quiz Link 16 A

Quiz Link 16B (Prendergast - Departures)

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter?  

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

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Chapter 46: Nightfall  pp. 327 (7)

Chapter 47: The Black City  pp. 334 (3)

Part IV: Cruelty Revisited
Chapter 48: Property of HH Holmes pp. 339

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10th

Quiz Link "Nightfall - The Black City"

Quiz Link "Property of HH Holmes"

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Chapter 49: Moyamensing Prison pp. 351 (3)

Chapter 50: The Tenant pp. 354 (6)

Chapter 51: A Lively Corpse pp. 360 (3)

Chapter 52: All the Weary Days pp. 363 (6)

Chapter 53: Malice Aforethought pp. 369 (3)

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11th

Quiz Link

Epilogue: The Last Crossing

Chapter 53:The Fair pp. 373 (6)

Chapter 54: Recessional pp. 379 (5)

Chapter 55: Holmes pp. 384 (5)

Chapter 56: Aboard the Olympic pp. 389 (2)

1) *What are the rhetorical trends the author develops and uses consistently in this chapter? 

2) How do the rhetorical appeals affect the audience/reader's conception of the character of Daniel Burnham and John Root?
3) What are some of the claims made in the chapter (there are many made in each chapter!) & how are they stated, developed, and/or supported with rhetorical appeals? 

4) How do the rhetorical appeals used function in support of a claim in the chapter, and how do they, perhaps, also affect an overall claim?
5) Identify relevant components. examples of, or connections to a/the rhetorical situation and the impact it has upon the reader (Speaker, Purpose, Audience, Context, Exigence).  Note that these can change (in other words, there can be different speakers and different rhetorical situations raised even within the chapter). 

DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12th

Quiz Link