Understanding Bias and Point of View

Key Question: How does an author, illustrator or photographer help to show how a character feels (point of view)?

• Read the following four documents:

"I Have But One Life to Live": Sally Rice to Her Parents

THE SPIRIT OF DISCONTENT - [fiction from from the Lowell Offering ca1840]

Letters from Susan, Letter Second [fiction] - [from Lowell Offering, 1844]

A NEW ENGLAND GIRLHOOD:OUTLINED FROM MEMORY - By Lucy Larcom (1824-1893)

•  Take notes to answer the following questions:
  • Who is the author?
  • What is the purpose for writing this document?
  • How does the author present his/her case?
  • What does this author make you feel?
  • What is your response to this author's argument?
  • Does he/she present a convincing case? Why or why not?
• Share answers with class.

Student Web-Guided Exploration

Teacher Page