Estimated time: 45 minutes

Think about and discuss these questions from your reading:

1. Compare and contrast Santiago and his father.
2. Describe your understanding of Personal Legend.
3. Melchizedek tells Santiago a story about the oil and the spoon. What do you think the moral of this story is?
4. What gift does Melchizedek give Santiago and how is he to use it?
5. What mistake does Santiago make when he arrives in Tangier and what are the results? Does this affect his Personal Legend?
6. Why does Santiago agree to work for the crystal merchant at the end of Part 1?

Freewriting

After you have pondered and discussed these questions with your teacher, choose one to complete a freewrite on. If you are unfamiliar with freewriting, here are a few tips:

• Keep your pencil moving. Don’t stop. Just brain dump onto your paper
• Have a set amount of time. Set a timer and write for the full amount of time.
• Ignore all grammar and spelling. Don’t let editing slow down the process. The goal is to get thoughts on paper. Spelling and grammar are not important in this instance.
• Pen and paper aren’t the only ways to freewrite. Feel free to type on the computer. Not only does this accomplish the task, but it builds typing skills.

Share your freewrite with us in the comments below.