1. By Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince
By Niccolo Machiavelli
Shea, Renee H. and Lawrence Scanlon. Teaching Nonfiction in AP English: A Guide to Accompany 50 Essay. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005.

2. Words to Know Contrast Juxtaposition Antithesis Irony Paradox
Placing opposed ideas, images, or both, to heighten or clarify a scene, theme, or episode
Juxtaposition
Placing 2 or more ideas next to each other in order to compare or contrast
Antithesis
Fundamentally, contrasting ideas sharpened by the use of opposite or noticeably different meanings
Irony
Subtly humorous perception of inconsistency, in which an apparently straightforward statement or event is undermined by its context so as to give it a very different significance
Paradox
An apparently self-contradictory statement which, on closer inspection, is found to contain a truth reconciling the conflicting opposites

3. Words to Know Analogy Allusion Supposition
A word or thing similar or parallel to another
Illustration of an idea by means of a more familiar idea that is similar or parallel to it in some significant features
Allusion
An indirect or passing reference to some event, person, place, or artistic work, the nature and relevance of which is not explained by the writer but relies on the reader’s familiarity with what is thus mentioned
Supposition
An assumption or hypothesis

4. Pay Attention & Take Notes
Background from The Prince as translated and introduced by George Bull.
Covers
Background
Links to the Devil
Historical Context
Florentine History
Machiavelli’s Place in Florentine History
His Works
Conclusions

5. Task 1 ST-TAPLES Subject Theme Tone Audience Purpose Language Evidence
Speaker

6. Task 2 In your groups Do a general read of the piece
What is Machiavelli’s purpose?
Discuss what Machiavelli is saying specifically in your assigned section
Define any words you do not know
What are his assertions?
What are his proofs (evidence)?

7. Task 3A For your assigned section, answer the following questions
Be prepared to share your findings with the class at our next meeting (homework)
Introduction (paragraphs 1-2) Group A
In the first paragraph, Machiavelli states that his consideration of the subject of leadership will differ from that of others who have considered it. Specifically, in what way does he say his approach will differ?
In his first two paragraphs, does Machiavelli appeal primarily to ethos, logos, or pathos? Explain
Provide several examples of juxtapositions and antitheses from the first two paragraphs. Explain their rhetorical effect.

8. Task 3B For your assigned section, answer the following questions
Be prepared to share your findings with the class at our next meeting (homework)
Introduction (paragraphs 1-2) Group B
Provide several examples of juxtapositions and antitheses from the first two paragraphs. Explain their rhetorical effect.
In the second paragraph the speaker says that “a prince must be shrewd enough to avoid the public disgrace of those vices that would lose him his estate.” Explain an underlying assumption behind that statement.
Identify a rhetorical shift in paragraph 2.

9. Task 3C For your assigned section, answer the following questions
Be prepared to share your findings with the class at our next meeting (homework)
On Generosity and Parsimony (paragraphs 3-5)
Does paragraph 4 use a claim from the previous paragraph as its support? Explain.
Identify an appeal to logos in paragraph 4.
Explain the effect of the series of words “loot, extortion, and plunder” in paragraph 5

10. Task 3D For your assigned section, answer the following questions
Be prepared to share your findings with the class at our next meeting (homework)
Of Cruelty and Compassion, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved or Feared (paragraphs 6-12)
Identify the claims and support put forth in paragraph 7. Use our terminology from the Declaration of Independence to help you evaluate these claims.
Identify and explain an assumption underlying the speaker’s position in paragraphs 7 and 8.
Explain how the structure of the first sentence of paragraph 12 helps to strengthen its rhetorical point.

11. Task 3E For your assigned section, answer the following questions
Be prepared to share your findings with the class at our next meeting (homework)
How Princes Should Honor Their Word (paragraphs 13-19)
Identify several contrasts the speaker presents in the last section, paragraphs
Explain the nature of the paradox at the end of the piece.

12. Task 4 Define the following words Pragmatist Idealist Cynic Optimist
Satirist
Critical
Resigned
Equity
Integrity
Feckless
Gullible