“Of Plymouth Plantation”
from Florida Connections 11
CHAPTER IX
Analyze Foundational Texts
This passage was written more than 300 years ago. You may find Bradford’s writing to be archaic. One
feature of archaic writing is long, complicated sentences.
1. Read the first sentence and paraphrase what Bradford is trying to communicate:
2. Read the rest of the paragraph. Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
3. Because authors do not usually state their theme directly, readers must infer the central idea
from the details that are included. Reread lines 6-18. What is Bradford’s central idea, or theme?
Use text evidence:
Understand Usage
1. Read paragraph 2 (lines 19-44). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. Verbs have either an active voice (if the subject performs the action) or a passive voice (if the
subject receives the action). Reread lines 19-24. Are the verbs in the active or passive voice?
3. How does the use of the (active or passive) voice affect the meaning of the lines?
Determine Central Ideas
1. Read paragraph 3 (lines 45-59). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
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2. Although William Bradford witnessed the events of the Mayflower’s 1620 voyage, he did not
write about them until years later. When he did write, he chose anecdotes and details that
support his theme, or central idea. Reread lines 47-56. What is the central idea of these lines?
Use text evidence:
Analyze Foundational Texts
1. Read paragraph 4 (lines 60-73). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. Read paragraph 5 (lines 74-82). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines.
3. Read paragraph 6 (lines 83-109). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
4. Rhetorical features are techniques writers use to communicate ideas and support their purpose.
One rhetorical feature Bradford uses is allusion. An allusion is a reference to something the
author expects readers to recognize. List the three allusions Bradford uses in paragraphs 5 & 6:
5. To what do they refer? Use reference works to look them up, if necessary:
6. Bradford’s central idea in this passage is that the Pilgrims endured a difficult journey into an
unknown wilderness. How do the three allusions support this idea?
Applying Academic Vocabulary
1. Adapt: How do the Separatists adapt to the environment around them?
2. Coherent: As they adapt to the environment, how does the group remain coherent in the face of
uncertainty?
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CHAPTER X
Analyze and Evaluate Structure
1. Read paragraph 1 (lines 110-124). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. One feature of Bradford’s archaic language is the inclusion of several ideas in one sentence.
Each idea is contained in a clause. Clauses are often marked with commas, semicolons, or
parentheses. Rewrite lines 110-116 in a more modern way (fewer clauses, more sentences):
Critical Vocabulary
1. Read paragraph 2 (lines 125-144). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. Tendered (line 117). Did the scouts offer to leave the ship, or were they forced?
3. Rendezvous (line 135). Why did the Pilgrims rendezvous at nightfall?
4. Sentinels (line 135). Why would the Pilgrims post sentinels?
Integrating Sources of Information
Look at the map on page 10. What places, events, and journeys described in the text are also shown on
the map?
Analyze Foundational Texts
1. Read paragraph 3 (lines 145-167). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. The allusion in lines 164-168 is a reference to a Bible story about the Hebrew’s passage to “the
promised land.” As Moses led his people through the wilderness, he sent twelve men to scout
ahead. These scouts returned with fruits from Eshcol. How does this allusion relate to the
Pilgrims’ experience?
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Determine Central Ideas
1. Read paragraph 4 (lines 168-177). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. Read paragraph 5 (lines 178-185). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
3. Reread lines 178-185 and identify the theme the author wants to convey:
4. What does the word “providence” mean? How does the abandoned corn relate to God’s
providence?
Analyze Purpose
1. Read paragraph 6 (lines 186-207). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. Authors often have more than one purpose, or intention, when they write a text. Reread lines
186-207 and list words or phrases that describe places, events, or people:
3. What kind of feeling do these descriptions convey?
4. Using these clues, what might you infer about Bradford’s purpose?
Analyze Foundational Texts
1. Read paragraph 7 (lines 208-224). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
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2. Read paragraph 8 (lines 225-233). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
3. Read paragraph 9 (lines 234-259). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
4. How does the action, or pace, change in this paragraph?
5. What can readers infer about Bradford’s purpose from the pacing of this paragraph?
Determine Central Ideas
1. Read paragraph 10 (lines 260-268). Summarize the paragraph in a few lines:
2. The Pilgrims believed they were chosen by God to fulfill a holy mission. Cite text evidence to
support this view:
Rhetorical Terms Vocabulary
Write the heading, “Rhetorical Terms Vocabulary” on a sheet of paper. Go back through this packet and
list each underlined word on that paper. Using a dictionary, define each word. Add the list to the
Vocabulary section of your binder.
Words in italics in this packet should already be in the Vocabulary section of your binder. Note that you
will have TWO DIFFERENT VOCABULARY LISTS in your binder: one for rhetorical terms, and one for other
words. Keep them separate for easier studying!
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