Quickwrite: What do Quickwrite: What do you know about you know about Lance Armstrong? Lance Armstrong? List as many things List as many things as you know about as you know about him. If you are him. If you are unsure, look at this unsure, look at this picture!picture!

Adapted from CSU ERWC Material

It's Not About the It's Not About the Bike Bike

by Lance Armstrongby Lance Armstrong

Who is Lance Armstrong?Who is Lance Armstrong?

Lance Armstrong is a world-renowned bicycle Lance Armstrong is a world-renowned bicycle racer, famous for having won racer, famous for having won sevenseven consecutive consecutive Tours de France (a race that is over 2,200 miles Tours de France (a race that is over 2,200 miles on a bicycle) from 1998-2005. He was on a bicycle) from 1998-2005. He was sidetracked by sidetracked by cancercancer early in his career, but early in his career, but made a stunning comeback. made a stunning comeback.

He is also well-known for dating singer Sheryl He is also well-known for dating singer Sheryl Crow, having divorced his wife shortly after the Crow, having divorced his wife shortly after the publication of the book from which the excerpt publication of the book from which the excerpt we are going to read is taken.we are going to read is taken.

Survey the TextSurvey the Text

Take a look at the Lance Armstrong article Take a look at the Lance Armstrong article in your yellow packet:in your yellow packet:

What is the significance of the fact that the What is the significance of the fact that the book is written by Lance Armstrong book is written by Lance Armstrong with with Sally JenkinsSally Jenkins? ?

What kind of text—what genre—do you What kind of text—what genre—do you think this book is? What do you think this think this book is? What do you think this book will be about?book will be about?

Survey the TextSurvey the Text What is the significance of the fact that the book is What is the significance of the fact that the book is

written by Lance Armstrong written by Lance Armstrong with Sally Jenkinswith Sally Jenkins? ? This is a flag that the book, although seemingly "co-This is a flag that the book, although seemingly "co-

written" by Armstrong and Jenkins, was probably written" by Armstrong and Jenkins, was probably written primarily by Jenkinswritten primarily by Jenkins. Many celebrity-. Many celebrity-authored books have this type of shared authorial authored books have this type of shared authorial byline. byline. It is significant in that it indicates that It is significant in that it indicates that actual authorship is not as straightforward as in actual authorship is not as straightforward as in a more traditional autobiographya more traditional autobiography, but a reader , but a reader can safely assume that the viewpoints provided are can safely assume that the viewpoints provided are those of the "famous" person.those of the "famous" person.

Survey the TextSurvey the Text

What kind of text—what genre—do you What kind of text—what genre—do you think this book is? What do you think this think this book is? What do you think this book will be about?book will be about?

This text is an autobiography. You may This text is an autobiography. You may also know or predict that this may cover all also know or predict that this may cover all of Armstrong's life, or be limited to a of Armstrong's life, or be limited to a specific time period.specific time period.

Making PredictionsMaking Predictions

What topics do you think Lance Armstrong What topics do you think Lance Armstrong might talk about that are related to the might talk about that are related to the issue of how we value life?issue of how we value life?

Do you think Lance Armstrong's claim Do you think Lance Armstrong's claim about the value of life will agree with about the value of life will agree with Hamlet's or not?Hamlet's or not?

Making PredictionsMaking Predictions

What topics do you think Lance Armstrong What topics do you think Lance Armstrong might talk about that are related to the might talk about that are related to the issue of how we value life? issue of how we value life?

If you know about Armstrong's battle with If you know about Armstrong's battle with cancer, you may predict that he might view cancer, you may predict that he might view that life is full of suffering.that life is full of suffering.

Making PredictionsMaking Predictions

Do you think Lance Armstrong's claim Do you think Lance Armstrong's claim about the value of life will agree with about the value of life will agree with Hamlet's or not?Hamlet's or not?

Again, if you know that Armstrong survived Again, if you know that Armstrong survived cancer and went on to great cancer and went on to great accomplishments in bicycle racing, you accomplishments in bicycle racing, you may anticipate that Armstrong has a less may anticipate that Armstrong has a less pessimistic tone to his piece.pessimistic tone to his piece.

Vocabulary PreviewVocabulary Preview(Create a Cornell-Note Vocabulary Chart)(Create a Cornell-Note Vocabulary Chart)

1.1. expireexpire (v)(v) diedie2. 2. poignantpoignant ((touching, sentimentaltouching, sentimental))3. 3. demisedemise ((ending, deathending, death))4. 4. cadencecadence ((pace, rhythmpace, rhythm))5. 5. marbledmarbled ((striated, multicoloredstriated, multicolored))6. 6. acridacrid ( (bitter, sourbitter, sour))7. 7. puckeredpuckered ((indented, sucked-inindented, sucked-in))8. 8. cathetercatheter ((tube used in medical procedurestube used in medical procedures))9. 9. constitutionconstitution ((physical makeup or strengthphysical makeup or strength))10. 10. articulatearticulate ((describe coherently)describe coherently)

Vocabulary MappingVocabulary Mapping

Identify sets or pairs of words that are Identify sets or pairs of words that are related to each other: related to each other:

1. Which words refer to death? 1. Which words refer to death?

2. Which words refer to the body? 2. Which words refer to the body?

3. Are there any other categories of words?3. Are there any other categories of words?

First ReadingFirst Reading

Read the text by Lance Armstrong. As you read, Read the text by Lance Armstrong. As you read, pay attention to the way that Armstrong talks pay attention to the way that Armstrong talks about the about the value of lifevalue of life. As we did with Hamlet, . As we did with Hamlet, to try to determine if Armstrong appears to be to try to determine if Armstrong appears to be generally pessimistic or optimisticgenerally pessimistic or optimistic, based on , based on your reading of the passage.your reading of the passage.

Consider whether Armstrong’s Consider whether Armstrong’s view of mortality view of mortality reflects a positive or negative view of lifereflects a positive or negative view of life . . Does the text, in other words, present an Does the text, in other words, present an argument about the value of death? argument about the value of death?

Strategic Marking of the Text I:Strategic Marking of the Text I:

As we did with the Shakespeare text, mark As we did with the Shakespeare text, mark Armstrong's text. Armstrong's text.

Use a different highlighter (from HAMLET Use a different highlighter (from HAMLET reading) to highlight the sentences, phrases, reading) to highlight the sentences, phrases, and/or words that Armstrong uses to describe and/or words that Armstrong uses to describe what he thinks it means to be alive.what he thinks it means to be alive.

Note: Use a different colored highlighter than Note: Use a different colored highlighter than you used to mark the Shakespeare text.you used to mark the Shakespeare text.

Characterizing the TextCharacterizing the Text

Partners: Once you have highlighted Partners: Once you have highlighted Armstrong's text, compare what you selected to Armstrong's text, compare what you selected to highlight with the choices a classmate made. highlight with the choices a classmate made. Then, working together, mark some of the Then, working together, mark some of the commonly-highlighted parts with a "+" or "-" sign commonly-highlighted parts with a "+" or "-" sign to indicate whether the quote shows a generally to indicate whether the quote shows a generally positive or negative outlook on lifepositive or negative outlook on life. .

Discuss the results with your partner and answer Discuss the results with your partner and answer the question about Armstrong's outlook on life: is the question about Armstrong's outlook on life: is he an optimist or a pessimist? he an optimist or a pessimist?

Strategic Marking of the Text IIStrategic Marking of the Text II

Second HighlightingSecond Highlighting: Go through the text once : Go through the text once more, this time with the same highlighter you more, this time with the same highlighter you used for Shakespeare’s text. used for Shakespeare’s text.

Imagine that you are reading Armstrong's text Imagine that you are reading Armstrong's text from Hamlet's perspective. Highlight any from Hamlet's perspective. Highlight any passages that passages that Hamlet would find particularly Hamlet would find particularly interesting or compellinginteresting or compelling. .

Some of these may be the same words you Some of these may be the same words you already highlighted, while others will be new. already highlighted, while others will be new.

Connecting the Texts—The Mock Connecting the Texts—The Mock InterviewInterview

Armstrong and Hamlet, in their respective texts, Armstrong and Hamlet, in their respective texts, provide quite different perspectives on the provide quite different perspectives on the meaning and value of life. meaning and value of life.

Partners: Envision a scenario in which somehow Partners: Envision a scenario in which somehow Hamlet would have the opportunity to interview Hamlet would have the opportunity to interview Armstrong and vice versa. Armstrong and vice versa.

One partner should write out a series of One partner should write out a series of five five questions that Hamlet would probably ask questions that Hamlet would probably ask ArmstrongArmstrong, while the other writes , while the other writes five five questions for Armstrong to ask Hamletquestions for Armstrong to ask Hamlet. .

Connecting the Texts—The Mock Connecting the Texts—The Mock InterviewInterview

Interview questions might address such Interview questions might address such issues as Hamlet’s and Armstrong’s issues as Hamlet’s and Armstrong’s attitudes toward death, fear, vitality, attitudes toward death, fear, vitality, human relationships, and endurancehuman relationships, and endurance. .

Examples: Examples:

1. Are you afraid of death? 1. Are you afraid of death?

2. Are there any benefits to suffering?2. Are there any benefits to suffering?

3. How do you approach challenges?3. How do you approach challenges?

Conducting the InterviewConducting the Interview

Now, take on the personas of these two, Now, take on the personas of these two, and conduct the interviews. and conduct the interviews.

Be sure to give answers that are Be sure to give answers that are in in keeping with the points of view keeping with the points of view provided in the two textsprovided in the two texts. .

Rhetorical AppealsRhetorical Appeals

1.1. An autobiography is a form of nonfiction--An autobiography is a form of nonfiction--a text that tells the "truth." Do you think a text that tells the "truth." Do you think Armstrong is being truthful in his account Armstrong is being truthful in his account of his life? Explain your reasoning.of his life? Explain your reasoning.

Rhetorical AppealsRhetorical Appeals

2. Armstrong's autobiography is written by 2. Armstrong's autobiography is written by Armstrong "with" Sally Jenkins. What role Armstrong "with" Sally Jenkins. What role do you think Jenkins played in the writing do you think Jenkins played in the writing of the text? How does her participation in of the text? How does her participation in the creation of the text influence your the creation of the text influence your interpretation of Armstrong's story? In interpretation of Armstrong's story? In other words, how does the combination of other words, how does the combination of Armstrong and Jenkins as authors affect Armstrong and Jenkins as authors affect the "ethos" of the text?the "ethos" of the text?

Rhetorical AppealsRhetorical Appeals

3. Do you think that Armstrong's story has an 3. Do you think that Armstrong's story has an impact on the reader because of its use of logic impact on the reader because of its use of logic (logos) or emotion (pathos) or both? (logos) or emotion (pathos) or both?

4. Unlike Hamlet, Armstrong is not in the midst of 4. Unlike Hamlet, Armstrong is not in the midst of his crisis when he writes his story; instead, he his crisis when he writes his story; instead, he writes about his experiences in hindsight. Does writes about his experiences in hindsight. Does that have an impact on Armstrong's ability to that have an impact on Armstrong's ability to make his ideas and story compelling to the make his ideas and story compelling to the reader? Explain your reasoning.reader? Explain your reasoning.

Chart the TextChart the Text

Make an entry in you charts for the Make an entry in you charts for the Armstrong text, filling it out as you did with Armstrong text, filling it out as you did with the soliloquy. the soliloquy.

When you reach the entry for "How does When you reach the entry for "How does this text connect to other texts?“ briefly this text connect to other texts?“ briefly describe the ways that Armstrong describe the ways that Armstrong responds to and/or challenges the responds to and/or challenges the assertions made by Shakespeare in his assertions made by Shakespeare in his soliloquy for Hamlet.soliloquy for Hamlet.

After the Mock InterviewsAfter the Mock Interviews

After conducting the mock interviews, After conducting the mock interviews, discuss (in partnerships as well as a discuss (in partnerships as well as a whole-class) the relative viewpoints of the whole-class) the relative viewpoints of the characters. characters.

How well would they get along with one How well would they get along with one another? another?

How would each respond to the How would each respond to the arguments made by the other?arguments made by the other?