The Road Not Taken

In Cold BloodTruman CapoteAP Language & Composition2Learning Targets: Students willdevelop greater awareness of authors intentions and Analyze how writers use their language choices to influence readersUnderstand and engage in academic discourseUnderstand effects of literature on societal and global communitiesArgumentation (whoa)

In Cold BloodA CONTEXT FOR READINGAP Language & CompositionA New GenreCreative nonfiction (written like a novel but true)Melding journalistic nonfiction with imaginative writingWhy is this highly controversial?Capote takes readers exactly where he wants them to go4I wanted to produce a journalistic novel, something on a large scale that would have the credibility of fact, the immediacy of film, the depth and freedom of prose, and the precision of poetry.

5Essential Question:The tone of the book reveals the author's attitude toward his subject matter. Capote intendedIn Cold Bloodto be both objective (non-judgmental) and sympathetic. Is this possible?6About Truman Capote: Context for WritingBorn in 1925; died in 1984Felt abandoned by parentsFriends with Harper Lee (Dill)Deep connection to the southElitist in Manhattan, NY

7About Truman Capote: Context for WritingNot a great student, but avid writerConsidered himself one, didnt want to be oneWhile repeating senior year, got job as a copy boy for the magazine he idolized. The New Yorker's working environment was quite the opposite of the high society image the magazine portrayed. Truman, a flamboyant, eccentric, and very noticeable boy, stood outMeeting Truman8Capote first learned of the murders through an article in the New York Times

First learned about the murders through an article in the New York Times

Then one morning in November, 1959, while flicking through The New York Times, I encountered on a deep-inside page, this headline: Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family SlainIt suddenly struck me that a crime, the study of one such, might provide the broad scope I needed to write the kind of book I wanted to write.He spent 6 years on icb.

SettingThe road to the Clutter home

The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call out there.Clutter Family Home (as it stands today)

CharacterizationThe Victims and the Murderers

The Clutter FamilyHerb Clutter Head of the Clutter household Well-liked, respected member of the Holcomb community Fairly prosperous

Bonnie ClutterWife of Herb Clutter

Mother of four

A recluse

Nancy ClutterDaughter of Herb and Bonnie Clutter

Well-liked and popular

Bright, energetic, responsible

Dating Bobby Rupp

Kenyon ClutterSon of Herb and Bonnie Clutter

Quiet and reserved

Enjoys working with his hands

Fifteen years old

The Murderers

Perry SmithConvicted thief Sentenced to Kansas State PenitentiaryMet Dick Hickock in jail

Dick HickockInmate in Kansas State PenitentiaryFriend of Perry SmithLearned of Clutter family from fellow inmate Floyd WellsRevisiting the Scene, meeting charactersA Copy of the Case FilePhotosPhoto gallery with captions

22Truman Capotes AccountIn Cold Blood was originally published in The New Yorker as a four-part series, beginning on September 25, 1965. It sold out immediately.

It was published by Random House for the first time as a novel in 1966.CAPOTE trailer

Stylistic & Rhetorical Trends

AP Language & CompositionStylistic and Rhetorical TrendsAlternating Point of ViewSpatial organization not totally chronological25Stylistic & Rhetorical Trends

AP Language & CompositionThe American DreamICB presents a conflicted image of the notion of the American Dream. portrays a prosperous, homogenous, middle-class community, Holcomb, Kansas, that is forced to question its values and its sense of safety and security when the Clutter family is murdered.Many texts during this time period questioned validity of the American Dream.These texts warn Americans not to take the Dream for granted and encourage readers to recognize that the American Dream is available only to a small group of individuals while excluding a vast majority of people from its promises.

27America in the 1950sMarked by an expanding middle class, confident consumer spending, and the early development of American suburbia. Having emerged from its involvement in World War II, America was eager to focus on the proliferation of an affluent middle class at home. The popularization of the automobile and new product advertising through television and magazines revolutionized American households. BUT Cold War tensions widespread fear of communism Additional Universal SubjectsBanality of EvilFamilySocioeconomic StatusSelf-Image and EgoNature versus NurtureSexualityHumanism versus animalismMental illness

29The Death Penalty (subject/message/purpose)Interview with Truman about the dealth penaltyFree Template from www.brainybetty.com30Instructional Design with ICBAP Language & CompositionAn Online Literary Forum: What is It?Groups of students read the same text to participate in a mutual reading experience.Based on the objectives and skills taught during classroom instruction, students will take on a variety of roles throughout the reading experience.Students are provided with opportunities to interact and respond to one another as they read to interpret a common text.32An Online Literary Forum: Objectives/Learning Targets/PurposeStudents read a text beyond the regular classroom curriculum.Students read a common text to engage in critical reading and thinking exercises.Students participate in a critical discussion of a common text to understand others perspectives of the text.Students will analyze literary and rhetorical elements of a text and effectively communicate his/her analysis with peers.Students will make connections to other spheres of culture and society to the texts themes, motifs, symbols, characters, etc., thereby demonstrating a transferability of skills and maturity in thought.Students participate in an online community of learners to develop their skills in social media software and social media etiquette.Students write for a variety of audiences and purposes.33An Online Literary Forum: Logistics and Overview Each student will become a member of a literature circle group composed of approximately 10 students.Each student will respond to the essential question/prompt posted each week. To respond, you may refer to the possible roles provided.After reading the assigned pages in the text, each student completes his or her role and posts this assignment as a thread on the online discussion forum under the appropriate thread.Each student then reads his or her group members postings and thoroughly discusses their work and the text.Students read the second half of the text and repeat steps 3-4.34An Online Literary Forum: RequirementsStudents must complete a total of two postings of his/her literature circle role assignment between due dates.Students must respond to the essential question with a thoughtful response, making connections to and beyond the text. Further, you will be responsible for responding to at least one group members response with a thoughtful, respectful response. 35An Online Literary Forum: Hints for Success (and sparkle)Allow the discussion to become natural. The discussion may seemed forced at first, but lead the discussion of the text in a way that you become invested and engaged in the text and your groups discussion of the text.All posts should demonstrate critical thinking and common courtesy. Disagreements and debates are a natural part of discussion; however, such discussions should focus on the topic and should not demean anyone.All posts should demonstrate a proper use of language so that communication is clear and pleasant for all. This means standard English should be usednonstandard abbreviations, slang, and foul language is not permissible.Post assignments and comments long before the deadline so that everyone has time to examine and post to your work.Evaluation will be focused on the individual. You are responsible only for your own work and your own postings.3637

http://petersonenglish.proboards.com

3839

Directions are posted to my website.Homework: Create an account for the literary forum. Yes, I will check.By Friday, you must respond to the essential question.By Monday morning at 8:00, you must have responded to at least one classmate. Note: this book will be discussed throughout the quarter, and you will have quizzes throughout (Fridays). 40