1. Warm up, 9/22
O’Brien makes a rare move in the literary world and speaks directly to his reader:
Even now, as I write this,
I can still feel that tightness. And I want you to feel it—the wind coming
off the river, the waves, the silence, the wooded frontier. You're at the
bow of a boat on the Rainy River. You're twenty-one years old, you're
scared, and there's a hard squeezing pressure in your chest.
What would you do?
Would you jump? Would you feel pity for yourself? Would you think
about your family and your childhood and your dreams and all you're leaving behind? Would it hurt? Would it feel like dying? Would you cry,
as I did?
What is this writing strategy called? Is it effective?

2. Quick Point of View Review
First Person
Second Person
Third Person

3. Now, turn to page 56, review the passage, and ask yourself…
What would you do?
Would you jump? Would you feel pity for yourself? Would you think about your family and your childhood and your dreams and all you're leaving behind? Would it hurt? Would it feel like dying? Would you cry, as I did?

4. Learning Targets To review content from “On the Rainy River.”
To piece together a passage from the text.
To practice close-reading as a group.
To analyze the components of a successful vignette.

5. Notes – On the Rainy River
Find two quotations that illustrate Tim O’Brien’s struggles and emotions.
In the last two lines of the chapter, the word “coward” is used. What does it mean in this context? Connect to O’Brien’s struggles.

6. On the Rainy River Scavenger Hunt!
You were given a quotation with a color on it. Find others who also have quotations using that color.

7. Scavenger Hun t
Once you find each other, use the text to organize your quotations into the proper order.
Now, examine your passage. Choose which aspect of the vignette that your passage illustrates:
Imagery/imaginative thought (imagery that spans into the world of imagination)
Based on a specific event (one major, important event is the focus)
Flashbacks/memories (back, or forward, in time)
Specific details (highly detailed piece toward one topic)
Real-life observations (pertains to real life, both in and outside the literature).
Once you decide, find the sign that’s been taped on the wall somewhere in the room. Be prepared to defend your stance!

8. Scavenger Hunt Quick Write
In what ways did this activity help you to understand the qualities of a vignette? What was clear and/or confusing for you?
In what ways did this activity help you to understand the vignette On the Rainy River?

9. Notes - Review
Find two quotations that illustrate Tim O’Brien’s struggles and emotions.
In the last two lines of the chapter, the word “coward” is used. What does it mean in this context? Connect to O’Brien’s struggles.

10. Homework
Spend a few minutes researching college essay topics, also called personal narrative topics (unless you already have one that you intend to use). Come to class prepared with a few topic ideas.
Visit this URL:
Read over the suggestions, and then review AT LEAST ONE student model (choose a model by selecting from the pull-down menu at the bottom of Mr. Strickler’s suggestions. List out THREE SPECIFIC REASONS why this example was selected by the university.
Now, list out three techniques, ideas, etc., you can use, copy, or steal from this model.