View a FREE sample

Lesson 1 (from Chapter 1, Forerunners)

Objective

This book collects personal essays. This lesson will introduce the topic of the personal essay.

Lesson

1) Dictionary Definition: What is the personal essay? How does it differ from similar forms of literature? What are sub-categories of the personal essay? What are the features of the personal essay?

2) Class Discussion: Discuss Lopate's reason for creating this volume. What does he feel is valuable about the personal essay? Why has he chosen to select such a broad range of essays over many different subjects and across many different time periods?

3) Group Discussion: In groups, discuss why Chapter 1 is called "forerunners." What does it mean to be a forerunner of the personal essay? Are forerunners not fully-formed personal essays? Are they a different form of literature?

4) Homework: Students should provide an essay on the importance of the personal essay, using information supplied by the author. How did personal essays...

(read more Daily Lessons)

This section contains 5,411 words (approx. 19 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample