1. Opening Question
How can an author’s experiences impact the purpose of their writing?

2. “America” by Tony Hoagland
Predict!
Based on the title, type of text, and prior knowledge, what do you think this poem is about?

3. Section 1 (Stanzas 1-6) What questions do you have?
What information needs to be clarified?

4. Section 1 (Stanzas 1-6) Summarize how the student feels about America.
At this point, how does the narrator seem to view the student’s opinion?
What effect does the student’s comments have on the narrator?

5. Section 2 (Stanzas 7-12) What questions do you have?
What information needs to be clarified?

6. Section 2 (Stanzas 7-12)
Why does the narrator include the dream about his father?
According to his father, what does money keep us from having?
Using the context of the text, determine the meaning of the dream.

7. Section 3 (Stanzas 13-18 What questions do you have?
What information needs to be clarified?

8. Section 3 (Stanzas 13-18)
Why does the author include the quote from Marx?
What can you infer from the final stanza, “it seems to be your own hand which turns the volume higher”?

9. Exit Slip
Which line(s) indicates the change in the author’s perspective? Explain.