Schedule and Vocabulary for True Grit by Charles Portis

Book is due in class on Friday, September 16th

Chapter # --- Read-to Due Date

Chapter 2---Monday, Sept. 19
(We will read some of chapter 1 in class)
Chapter 3--Wednesday, Sept. 21
Chapter 4---Friday, Sept.23
(Mid-way annotation/comprehension test)

Chapter 5---Monday, Sept. 26
Chapter 6---Wednesday, Sept. 28
Chapter 7---Friday, Sept. 30
(Be prepared for book test on this day)

True Gritby Charles Portis Reading Schedule

  • All students are responsible for annotating as they read novels outside of class. This will usually be the extent of the homework. Annotating includes marking directly in the book or on post-its:
  • Characterization
  • Plot
  • Conflict
  • Setting
  • Theme
  • Suspense
  • Foreshadowing
  • Inferences
  • Students are responsible for noting new vocabulary and looking up definitions where needed. We will discuss this in class, but will not have time to focus daily lessons on new vocabulary and themes from the novel.
  • This is considered “outside reading,” though we may read some partsof the book together in class.

Students are also responsible for maintaining and studying both this teacher-made vocabulary list AND a personal list of words, phrases, and idioms from the novel. This can be logged in the Literature section of each student’s notebook.

Chapter 1 & 2

  1. Provocation- a means of stirring to action
  2. Riffraff- an unkind term for the common people
  3. Credence- The mental attitude that something is believable
  4. Avenge- to take action for a perceived wring; to take revenge
  5. Parcel- a wrapped container
  6. Complied- meets the terms of a command or wish
  7. Notarized- to have a document legalized (by a notary)
  8. Croup- inflammation of the larynx and trachea (breathing tracts); causes breathing difficulty, esp. in children
  9. Vagabond- person who wanders from place to place without a job or home
  10. Notorious- famous or well-known from a bad quality or deed

Chapters 3 & 4

  1. Claptrap- absurd or nonsensical talk or ideas
  2. Sanguinary- bloody
  3. Ambuscade- ambush
  4. Nuisance- a person or thing causing annoyance or inconvenience
  5. Bailiff- an official in a court of law who keeps order, looks after prisoners, etc.
  6. Transcript- a written or printed version of material originally presented in another medium
  7. Menacing- a threatening quality, tone, or atmosphere
  8. Confiscate- take or sieze someone’s property with authority.
  9. Mutual- a feeling or action experienced or done by each of a party toward the other(s).
  10. Sordid- involving dishonorable actions and causing moral distaste or contempt.

Chapters 5, 6, & 7

  1. Headstrong- strong-willed and obstinate; stubborn
  2. Probate- the official proving of a will
  3. Grit- courage and resolve; strength of character
  4. Presumptuous- failing to see the limits of what is allowed or appropriate
  5. Parley- a conference of opposing sides
  6. Outlandish- looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar
  7. Doctrine- set of beliefs taught by a religion etc.
  8. Contempt- feeling that a person or thing is beneath considering, worthless, undeserving
  9. Unlimber- to detach a gun from its limber so it can be used
  10. Insolent- showing rude, arrogant disrespect
  11. Manacled- tied or fastened with chains
  12. Commissioned- given authority to do a task
  13. Accommodate- fit in with the wishes/needs of
  14. Depredations- act of attacking or plundering
  15. Oblige- make someone legally or morally inclined to a particular action or course

True Grit has two well-known film adaptations. Though watching a film is never a substitute for reading the novel, we allow students to view the accompanying films to aid in comprehension and to increase interest in the texts. HOWEVER, the films should only be viewed with adult permission and will not help students to pass tests over the reading assignment. Students will be tested on their specific knowledge of vocabulary in context, comprehension of the written word, and their practice of annotation. We will have regular quizzes to check reading comprehension and regular annotation.