In Cold Blood Truman Capote AP Language Composition

In Cold Blood Truman Capote AP Language & Composition

Learning Targets: Students will… • develop greater awareness of authors’ intentions and • Analyze how writers use their language choices to influence readers • Understand engage in academic discourse • Understand effects of literature on societal and global communities • Argumentation (whoa) 2

In Cold Blood A CONTEXT FOR READING AP Language & Composition

A New Genre • Creative nonfiction – (written like a novel but true) • Melding journalistic nonfiction with imaginative writing – Why is this highly controversial? • Capote takes readers exactly where he wants them to go 4

“I wanted to produce a journalistic novel, something on a large scale that would have the credibility of fact, the immediacy of film, the depth and freedom of prose, and the precision of poetry. ” 5

Essential Question: The tone of the book reveals the author's attitude toward his subject matter. Capote intended In Cold Blood to be both objective (non-judgmental) and sympathetic. Is this possible? 6

About Truman Capote: Context for Writing • • • Born in 1925; died in 1984 Felt abandoned by parents Friends with Harper Lee (Dill) Deep connection to the south Elitist in Manhattan, NY 7

About Truman Capote: Context for Writing • Not a great student, but avid writer – Considered himself one, didn’t want to be one • While repeating senior year, got job as a copy boy for the magazine he idolized. – The New Yorker's working environment was quite the opposite of the high society image the magazine portrayed. • Truman, a flamboyant, eccentric, and very noticeable boy, stood out – Meeting Truman 8

• First learned about the Capote first learned of the murders through an article inthe New York Times • “Then one morning in November, 1959, while flicking through The New York Times, I encountered on a deepinside page, this headline: ‘Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family Slain’…It suddenly struck me that a crime, the study of one such, might provide the broad scope I needed to write the kind of book I wanted to write. ” He spent 6 years on icb.

Setting

The road to the Clutter home

The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call “out there. ” Clutter Family Home (as it stands today)

Characterization The Victims and the Murderers

The Clutter Family

Herb Clutter • Head of the Clutter household • Well-liked, respected member of the Holcomb community • Fairly prosperous

Bonnie Clutter • Wife of Herb Clutter • Mother of four • A recluse

Nancy Clutter �Daughter of Herb and Bonnie Clutter �Well-liked and popular �Bright, energetic, responsible �Dating Bobby Rupp

Kenyon Clutter �Son of Herb and Bonnie Clutter �Quiet and reserved �Enjoys working with his hands �Fifteen years old

The Murderers

Perry Smith • Convicted thief • Sentenced to Kansas State Penitentiary • Met Dick Hickock in jail

Dick Hickock • Inmate in Kansas State Penitentiary • Friend of Perry Smith • Learned of Clutter family from fellow inmate Floyd Wells

Revisiting the Scene, meeting characters A Copy of the Case File Photos Photo gallery with captions 22

Truman Capote’s Account • In Cold Blood was originally published in The New Yorker as a four-part series, beginning on September 25, 1965. It sold out immediately. • It was published by Random House for the first time as a novel in 1966. • CAPOTE trailer

Stylistic & Rhetorical Trends AP Language & Composition

Stylistic and Rhetorical Trends • Alternating Point of View • Spatial organization not totally chronological 25

Stylistic & Rhetorical Trends AP Language & Composition

The American Dream • ICB presents a conflicted image of the notion of the American Dream. • portrays a prosperous, homogenous, middleclass community, Holcomb, Kansas, that is forced to question its values and its sense of safety and security when the Clutter family is murdered. • Many texts during this time period questioned validity of the American Dream.

America in the 1950’s • Marked by an expanding middle class, confident consumer spending, and the early development of American suburbia. • Having emerged from its involvement in World War II, America was eager to focus on the proliferation of an affluent middle class at home. • The popularization of the automobile and new product advertising through television and magazines revolutionized American households. • BUT – Cold War tensions widespread fear of communism

Additional Universal Subjects • • Banality of Evil Family Socioeconomic Status Self-Image and Ego Nature versus Nurture Sexuality Humanism versus animalism Mental illness

• The Death Penalty (subject/message/purpose) – Interview with Truman about the dealth penalty Free Template from www. brainybetty. com 30

Instructional Design with ICB AP Language & Composition

An Online Literary Forum: What is It? • Groups of students read the same text to participate in a mutual reading experience. • Based on the objectives and skills taught during classroom instruction, students will take on a variety of roles throughout the reading experience. • Students are provided with opportunities to interact and respond to one another as they read to interpret a common text. 32

An Online Literary Forum: Objectives/Learning Targets/Purpose • Students read a text beyond the regular classroom curriculum. • Students read a common text to engage in critical reading and thinking exercises. • Students participate in a critical discussion of a common text to understand others’ perspectives of the text. • Students will analyze literary and rhetorical elements of a text and effectively communicate his/her analysis with peers. • Students will make connections to other spheres of culture and society to the text’s themes, motifs, symbols, characters, etc. , thereby demonstrating a transferability of skills and maturity in thought. • Students participate in an online community of learners to develop their skills in social media software and social media etiquette. • Students write for a variety of audiences and purposes. 33

An Online Literary Forum: Logistics and Overview • Each student will become a member of a literature circle group composed of approximately 10 students. • Each student will respond to the essential question/prompt posted each week. To respond, you may refer to the possible “roles” provided. • After reading the assigned pages in the text, each student completes his or her role and posts this assignment as a thread on the online discussion forum under the appropriate thread. • Each student then reads his or her group members’ postings and thoroughly discusses their work and the text. • Students read the second half of the text and repeat steps 3 -4. 34

An Online Literary Forum: Requirements • Students must complete a total of two postings of his/her literature circle role assignment between due dates. • Students must respond to the essential question with a thoughtful response, making connections to and beyond the text. • Further, you will be responsible for responding to at least one group member’s response with a thoughtful, respectful response. 35

An Online Literary Forum: Hints for Success (and sparkle) • Allow the discussion to become natural. – The discussion may seemed forced at first, but lead the discussion of the text in a way that you become invested and engaged in the text and your group’s discussion of the text. • All posts should demonstrate critical thinking and common courtesy. Disagreements and debates are a natural part of discussion; however, such discussions should focus on the topic and should not demean anyone. • All posts should demonstrate a proper use of language so that communication is clear and pleasant for all. This means standard English should be used—nonstandard abbreviations, slang, and foul language is not permissible. • Post assignments and comments long before the deadline so that everyone has time to examine and post to your work. • Evaluation will be focused on the individual. You are responsible only for your own work and your own postings. 36

37

http: //petersonenglish. proboards. com 38

s n o i t c e o t Dir d e t s o p. are e t i s b e w y m 39

Homework: • Create an account for the literary forum. Yes, I will check. • By Friday, you must respond to the essential question. • By Monday morning at 8: 00, you must have responded to at least one classmate. • Note: this book will be discussed throughout the quarter, and you will have quizzes throughout (Fridays). 40