A Lesson Before Dying
Journal Assignments
Ms. Milton
AP Language and Composition
Journal Assignment 1:
Read chapters 1-7 (pages 3-58)
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Due date: January 19, 2016
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On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations,
paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Assignment value: 70 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each
bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each
component answer.
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Describe the jury for Jefferson’s trial.
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Describe the narrator of the story.
Based on Jefferson’s lawyer’s arguments, explain why the defense attorney
did a poor job.
Describe how the town of Bayonne is divided between blacks and whites.
Describe Vivian.
Describe Grant’s school.
What agreement do Guidry and Grant reach?
Journal Assignment 2:
Read chapters 8-14 (pages 59-109)
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Due date: January 25, 2016
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On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases,
and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Assignment value: 50 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment
and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
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Explain why although Grant’s former teacher Antoine hated being a teacher
in the plantation school, he taught Grant and stayed.
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Describe two other ways blacks are separated from whites in this town.
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While Grant is at the Rainbow Club, who are the other customers discussing?
Why is this man important to them?
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Why is Grant not living in California? Why is this so important to the plot?
Describe the argument Grant tries with Jefferson to get him to eat, talk, and
get through the imprisonment and the death sentence with dignity.
Journal Assignment 3:
Read chapters 15-20 (pages 110-159)
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Due date: February 8, 2016
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On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases,
and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Assignment value: 50 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment
and five points for providing detailed evidence for each component answer.
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How do Tante Lou and her friends react upon meeting Vivian? Why do they
behave in this manner?
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What surprising thing happens when Miss Emma and her group visit
Jefferson?
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Miss Emma is now even more upset than she had been and insists that Grant
return to Jefferson’s cell and continue to work with him. What reason does
she give for wanting him to go back?
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Why does Grant bring up the words “moral obligation” for discussion with
Jefferson in their first dayroom visit?
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Grant often stays with Jefferson even after the prisoner has shut down and
refuses to speak. Why does he do this?
Journal Assignment 4:
Read chapters 21-26 (pages 160-210)
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Due date: February 15, 2016
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On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations,
paraphrases, and specific page numbers—details—from the novel:
Assignment value: 30 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each
bullet assignment and five points for providing detailed evidence for each
component answer.
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So far in the story, we have met three teachers. Now, we are told that there is
another supporting character who also wants to be a teacher. Describe this
person.
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Grant tries to explain a very complex phenomenon he believes is in play in
the community. Summarize his explanation.
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Grant is beginning to feel better about his visits to Jefferson, but what spoils
his mood when he gets to the bar? Why do you think this happens?
Journal Assignment 5:
Read chapters 27-31 (pages 211-256)
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Due date: February 22, 2016
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On a sheet of paper, respond to the following items providing quotes, quotations, paraphrases, and specific
page numbers—details—from the novel:
Assignment value: 80 points
Rubric: Student will receive five points for answering each component of each bullet assignment and five
points for providing detail evidence for each component answer.
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Although Reverend Ambrose does not have a college education, why does he think he is more
educated than Grant?
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Why does Grant tell Jefferson, “You’re more a man than I am, Jefferson”?
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Does Jefferson die a coward or the man Grant was trying to teach him to be? Explain.
What information does the reader learn about execution by the electric chair?
What are some surprising things the reader learns from reading Jefferson’s thoughts?
How does the black community observe the grim occasion of Jefferson’s execution? How does
this differ from how the white community reacts to Jefferson’s execution? Why do you think the
reactions are different in each community?
What hope does the author give the reader that the situation in this town has truly changed?
The final scene depicts Grant back in the classroom. What reason might the reader have to believe
that he will be a better teacher from this day on?