Estimated Time: 3 hours

Read:

• Chapters 1-4

Learn:

When studying a biography or autobiography, the reader needs to determine 2 things:

1. the author's purpose for writing the book - to inform, to persuade or to entertain
2. the author's effectiveness based on the purpose

Write:

• Write down any passages that have special meaning to you in your notebook. If you are willing, share one here in the comments!
• Authors often write autobiographies to inform, persuade, or entertain. While you read, try to find examples where Booker T. Washington’s words reflect one of these purposes. For instance, does he share a story to teach a lesson (inform), inspire change (persuade), or connect on a personal level (entertain)? Make a chart in your notebook. List examples from the text where you feel he’s aiming to inform, persuade, or entertain, and write a quick note on why you think this is his purpose.
• Write down the names of major figures in the story, especially those who influenced Washington’s journey. Next to each name, jot down any descriptions from the text and add your own thoughts, questions, or reactions. These reflections can help you shape ideas for your personal essay, as you may find some similarities between your experiences and the relationships Washington had in his life.