Non-Fiction Analysis: Selections from the Colonial Period
Directions: Read each article carefully, marking it up with questions, insights, connections, or comments as you go. Also, be sure to highlight words you do not know and try to figure out what they mean from context clues. If you cannot figure it out, look the word up in a dictionary.
Then, answer the following questions about each article on a separate sheet of paper, or type the answers if you prefer. This assignment is due at the beginning of class
Monday. When you finish, staple this sheet to your answers and put your name on it.
Bring it completed to class on Monday.
This assignment is worth 100 points.
Several questions in this packet ask about tone. Remember, tone is the author’s attitude or feeling about what he or she writes. Use vivid adjectives to describe an author’s tone.
From “The American Crisis,” Thomas Paine
This article was written in 1776 and published as a pamphlet in order to encourage the people to support the American Revolution. This copy of the article is somewhat awkward in its presentation; check carefully the page numbers.
Read only the paragraphs indicated in the questions for this article.
1.
In the first paragraph, what is Paine’s tone? What does he dislike? What does he want from the people? How do you know this? (look carefully at his vocabulary)
2.
In the last paragraph on page 945, does Paine approve or disapprove of
America’s actions at this point in the Revolution? How do you know?
3.
In the last paragraph on page 946, read the three sentences (stop at the sentence that begins “Howe”). What is Paine’s tone here? Who does he criticize?
What kinds of figurative language devices does he use to make his point?
(simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, imagery, etc.)
4.
Summarize Paine’s argument in about two sentences.
“Letter From a Slave Rebel”
1.
Summarize this article in about two sentences.
2.
What kinds of emotion does this letter stir in you? Why?

“The Declaration of Independence,” Thomas Jefferson
1.
List three reasons Jefferson says independence is necessary.
2.
When do people have the right to “abolish” a tyrannical government? (2 nd paragraph)
3.
What is Jefferson’s tone in this document? What does he dislike? What is his purpose? Who is his audience? How do you know all this information? (again, look carefully at the vocabulary)
4.
Look carefully at the last sentence of the document. Why is it so important to the document as a whole?
“Copy of a Letter from Benjamin Banneker to Thomas Jefferson,” Benjamin
Banneker
Benjamin Banneker was a free black man who had some issues with Jefferson’s language in the “Declaration of Independence.”
1.
What is Banneker’s purpose in writing to Jefferson? What does he want him to do? Remember, this is 1776…
2.
In the second full paragraph on page two, why does Banneker criticize
Jefferson? What does he want him to do to remedy this particular situation.
3.
What is Banneker’s tone? Is he angry with Jefferson, or just somewhat baffled by his behavior? Justify your answer.
4.
Now read Jefferson’s response. What is his tone? How does he feel about the issue of slavery?
From “A Short Narration of my Last Journey to the Western Country,” Hendrick
Apaumut
1.
What is the subject of this article?
2.
Why do the Indians have complaints against the whites? How do they feel they’ve been treated?
3.
What is Apaumut’s tone? How do you know? Look particularly at the paragraph on p. 1304 that begins, “Let us consider the meaning of this Brant’s message…”
4.
What kind of American values does this article represent? Remember, this is the early years of America.
We will discuss these articles further in class over the next few days.