Reading Comprehension

Frederick Douglass

I can support my claims with evidence.

Read Chapter VII

• 1. On a separate sheet of paper, write a list of unfamiliar words from the narrative.

• 2. Then, answer the following questions about the narrative:• A. In what way was slavery “injurious to her,” his mistress?

• B. What was an “unpardonable offence” to do to a slave?

• C. What is ‘The Columbian Orator,’ and why was it instrumental in helping Douglass understand freedom?

• D. What was Douglass aware of after he learned to read?

Writing an Essay

• Take the answers to each of your questions and support them with direct evidence from the chapter.

• Based on your answers, what argument is Douglass making about the power of knowledge?

The power of knowledge: ACTIVITY

• Thesis: what argument Douglass is making.

• Each answer to your questions can be used as a topic sentence.

• The examples from the chapter that illustrate and/or justify your answer is the remainder of your paragraph and functions as evidence.