AMERICAN LITERATURE: LESSON PLAN FOR NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 4, 2015

After you have watched “The Crucible,” write your responses to the following questions.

Personal Response

1. Did you enjoy reading and watching the movie of The Crucible? Why or why not?

2. The witch hunt was a form of persecution. Research to find another group of people who are being persecuted today. Write a summary of who they are and the reasons why they are being persecuted.

3. Capital punishment is a much-debated topic today. Are you for or against it? Why? Write at least one page explaining your position and giving evidence to support your position.

·  Begin by defining what capital punishment is.

·  Then write a position statement in which you state your opinion and give at least three reasons to support your position. This is your thesis statement. Following is an example: Capital punishment is justified because it punishes the murderer, gives closure to the family, and rids society or the perpetrator.

My position Reason 1

Reason 2 Reason 3

·  Support your reasons with evidence from your research, personal experience or readings. For example, when a criminal receives capital punishment, he can no longer harm anyone else. A study conducted by ______shows that when criminals are punished for their crimes they______.

·  Close with a concluding sentence. For example, it is obvious from the reasons I have stated and my supporting evidence that capital punishment is justified because ______.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT #2 - The Crucible

PROMPT

There are several interesting characters in The Crucible, and an understanding of the play's characters is important to an understanding of the play's themes. Your assignment is to write a letter in which you describe one of the main characters. Specifically, you have a choice of one of the following assignments:

1. You are Parris, writing a letter to Danforth to discredit Proctor.

2. You are Proctor, writing a letter to Danforth to explain why he should not place too much faith in Parris' opinions and accusations.

3. You are Proctor writing a letter to Danforth to discredit Abigail.

4. You are Hawthorne writing a letter to the governor describing Danforth and his handling of the Salem affair.

5. You are Parris writing a letter to Danforth about Hale's participation in the Salem affair.

PREWRITING

One way to start is to jot down everything you know about the character who is to be described. Then jot down notes about how the writer of the letter would feel about each point you have noted about the character. Decide which points are appropriate to the purpose of your letter.

DRAFTING

Write an introductory paragraph telling the person to whom you are writing why you are writing to him. The body of your letter should contain paragraphs giving reasons and examples.

Your concluding paragraph should tell the reader of the letter what action, if any, you believe would be appropriate.

PROMPT

When you finish the rough draft of your paper, ask a student who sits near you to read it. After reading your rough draft, he/she should tell you what he/she liked best about your work, which parts were difficult to understand, and ways in which your work could be improved. Reread your paper considering your critic's comments, and make the corrections you think are necessary.

PROOFREADING:

Do a final proofreading of your paper double-checking your grammar, spelling, organization, and the clarity of your ideas.