Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons” Literary Terms: Memoir Type of autobiography that focuses on a specific time or historical event rather than on the writer’s life as a whole Writers have different purposes, or reasons for writing. One purpose of a memoir is to share an experience that has had an impact on the writer’s life. What is Park’s purpose for his memoir?

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons” Discussion Questions: What is the mood of the writer, Gordon Parks, as he first begins his job? Excited Why does Mr. Stryker, Parks’ boss, take his cameras? What “specific things” does he want Parks to do? Walk around the city / get to know it

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons” Discussion Questions: What happened to Parks at the drugstore for breakfast? Told to leave---”go around back if you want something” Other areas where Parks experienced discrimination? Hot dog stand, theater, department store, What does the boss, Stryker, tell Parks to do next? “Go home and put it on paper”

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons” Discussion Questions: What happens at the cafeteria when Parks finally goes in to eat? Why does Stryker tell Parks that the cleaning women has done him a great service? What is that service? Parks understands how he must “involve” himself with other people to really learn the depths of their suffering.