1. “Rattlesnake Hunt” pg. 459

2. Author: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Answer the following questions as your read the biography of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings:
What was the title of the book she won the Pulitzer Prize for in 1939?
At the age of 11, in what newspaper did she have a story published?
She published her first novel in What was the title of it?
Which First Lady did she have lunch with?
What place was her creative inspiration?

3. “Rattlesnake Hunt”
In her essay, Rawlings describes overcoming one of her fears. Here are some of the most common fears. As you watch the video, list the fears that you identify with (also have).

4. Rawlings’ fear
Here’s a video with some background information about snakes! Write 2 facts from the video that you learn about snakes:

5. “Rattlesnake Hunt”
“Rattlesnake Hunt” is a narrative essay and is nonfiction. It includes some fact and opinion. Rawlings also uses specific vocabulary to best describe her experience. What is fact? What is opinion? What is diction?

6. fact = information that can be proved opinion = a judgment or belief
“Rattlesnake Hunt”
“Rattlesnake Hunt” is a narrative essay and is nonfiction. It includes some fact and opinion. Rawlings also uses specific vocabulary to best describe her experience.
fact = information that can be proved
opinion = a judgment or belief
diction = a writer’s word choice including the phrases and expressions the writer uses

7. Fact or Opinion? Mrs. Weddle is the principal.
Mrs. Weddle is the best principal.
The sky is blue.
2 + 2 = 4
Ms. Campbell loves chocolate. (How could you prove it?)
Chocolate is the best candy.
The definition of arid is dry and barren.

8. The author’s word choice affects the way you respond to a text.
Diction
diction = a writer’s word choice including the phrases and expressions the writer uses
Formal or informal
Funny or serious
Academic or personal
The author’s word choice affects the way you respond to a text.

9. “Rattlesnake Hunt” pg. 459
Answer the Reading Skill and Literary Analysis questions as you read
Done? Now: Some of the words listed below appear in “Rattlesnake Hunt.” For each item, write a single sentence correctly using the words.
desolate, trip
arid, farmer
mortality, medicine
forage, horse

10. “Rattlesnake Hunt” Extension Activity
Write a personal narrative describing a moment you felt fearful or overcame a fear
Use at least 3 of the 5 senses (touch/feel, smell, sight, taste, hear)
words