1. Revolutionary Literature
Rise to Rationalism

2. The secret to understanding American Literature:
Every literary period is
a reaction to the
period that came before it.

3. Recap: Colonial Literature
New colonists attempted to establish their government and protest European ways
Influenced by Puritan way of life and religion
Hard work, simple life, and Christianity
Man is inherently evil
Amateur writers (ordinary people)
They wrote about what they knew best: their own life
Types of Writing:
Diaries/journals, personal narratives, sermons
Representative Authors:
William Bradford, Jonathan Edwards, Mary Rowlandson

4. The changing of an era: The Enlightenment
An intellectual movement in the mid 1600s that began in Europe
Led to an American Revolution
Emphasized reason, science, and observation.
People believed that reason and science could be applied to society.
A shift from a God-centered way of life to a man-centered view of life.

5. Colonial Lit/Puritanism Revolutionary Lit/Rationalism
How did it change?
Colonial Lit/Puritanism
Revolutionary Lit/Rationalism
God controls the universe in mysterious ways
God created the laws of nature
Man is inherently evil and damned, the elect were “saved”
Man is inherently good and our environment influences us
Humans are perfectible
Humans are, and will always be, imperfect
The holy Bible contains all truth
We should seek further truth/knowledge

6. Recap: Revolutionary Lit
Writers focused on justifying the American Revolutionary War
Emphasis on reason as opposed to faith alone; rise of science, philosophy, theology
Shift to a print-based culture—literacy is seen as a sign of social status.
Instructive in values, ornate writing style, highly political/patriotic
Representative Authors:
Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson

7. Trivia Question
Who is on the
$100 bill?

8. Benjamin Franklin
It’s all about the Benjamins!

9. Benjamin Franklin: Background
Born in Boston, MA
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States
Had many professions including:
Leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat…and many more.

10. Ben Franklin: The printer
By the time he was 16, Ben was not only printing, but writing parts of his brother’s newspaper.
Used pseudonym “Silence Dogood”
Moved to Philadelphia to open his own print shop when he was 17
Worked as a printer from his teens until he was 42

11. Franklin: The scientist
Lightning rod
Bifocals
The Franklin stove
A carriage odometer
Glass armonica
First fire department/insurance company
Daylight savings time
He made many discoveries about electricity.
The famous kite experiment that proved lightning was static electricity.
Listen to kids tell the story

12. Ben Franklin: The politician
Played an important role in drafting the Declaration of Independence
Enlisted French support during Revolutionary War
Negotiated peace with Britain
Considered “father of his nation” before George Washington earned the title

13. Ben Franklin: The writer
As an old man Ben Franklin wrote his life story to serve as an example for younger people and to offer advice.
He titled it The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
1st section written in 1771 when he was 65
Eventually wrote three more sections and still did not finish
Only accounted his life up to 1759

14. Ben Franklin: The Writer
Like his life story, aphorisms in Poor Richard’s Almanack help to paint a portrait of Franklin’s attitude and the world he lived in.
Aphorisms– short sayings with a message
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
“There’s no one that is deceived but he that trusts”

15. Aphorism Project/Speech
A speech! What?

16. Aphorism Assignment/Speech
You will be assigned one of Benjamin Franklin’s aphorisms from Poor Richard’s Almanack.
You will prepare a speech of no less than one minute to present to the class.
Your speech should explain:
The meaning of the aphorism
Provide examples and details that bring the aphorism to life for the class
You are encouraged to be creative in your approach to the assignment and presentation for the class
You may use a note card during the presentation

17. Checklist to exceed standard (25 points each)
Checklist/Rubric
Checklist to exceed standard (25 points each)
The presentation lasts the full minute, without repetition and/or stall tactics
The aphorism is explained correctly and completely
Your speech is organized will with a beginning, middle, and end.
The qualities of the delivery are impressive, including pacing, eye-contact, and volume.

18. Yes, you get the opportunity to write this… again. 
Laws of life essay
Yes, you get the opportunity to write this… again. 

19. Writing an AUTOBIOGRAPHY
It’s your turn to write your own autobiography.

20. Purpose You will use a +/- chart to pre-write an autobiography.
This is worth a 100 point test grade.

21. Ms. Polson’s Brainstorm
Negative (-)
Positive (+)
Aunt diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after
Moved away from best friend
Grandmother passed away
Attack on World Trade Center
Father lost his job
Mother diagnosed with crippling disease
Really bad car accident
Had to go to CSU
HS boyfriend broke up with me
Could not find a job out of college
Cousin diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease
Moved to Henry County
First part-time job
Accepted to two dream schools: UGA and FSU
Graduated from high school
Studied in London
Met my boyfriend
Adopted Roxy
Won many awards in college
Graduated from college magna cum laude
Got a job as a long-term sub

22. -/+ Chart 2005- Mother diagnosed with crippling disease
1995-Aunt diagnosed with cancer and died shortly after
2009-HS boyfriend broke up with me. 
2012- could not find a job out of college.
Cousin diagnosed with ALS.
2001- Attack on WTC. Father lost job.
2007- Had to go to college close to home
1989
2012
1998- Moved to Henry County
Won academic awards
2007- Graduated HS.
Accepted to UGA, CSU, and FSU.
2009-Studied in London.
Met current boyfriend. 
2012- Graduated College.
Long-term sub position.
2006- First part-time job. Chick-fil-A

23. Strategies Understand the FULL meaning of the WHOLE aphorism.
Look up words that are unfamiliar.
Relate the aphorism back to an important virtue, either one of Franklin’s virtues or a modern day virtue. Explain how the aphorism applies to that virtue.
Use specific examples to illustrate the meaning of the aphorism, such as personal examples or current events.
Be lively and engaging in your presentation, which demands practice before class!