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Lesson 2

We will analyze The Book of Unknown Americans to understand the author’s choices regarding organization and text structure in order to deepen our understanding of how authors use narrative structures to impart meaning.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use language and strategies to accomplish my intended purpose in communicating perspective?

  • Can I recognize and interpret important relationships among key details and ideas (characters, setting, tone, point of view, structure, development, etc.) within texts?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • The Book of Unknown Americans, Cristina Henríquez, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2015

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will write a summary of the plot from a specific character’s perspective.

Step 1

Write a plot summary of the events up until this point in the novel from Alma’s point of view. Refer to the notes on your Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tool for possible ideas on how to convey her perspective.

Step 2

Switch drafts with a partner. Ask your partner for feedback on the effectiveness of your writing to convey Alma’s unique perspective on the events. Make revisions based on the feedback.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will use guiding questions to discuss textual elements.

Step 1

There are several structures authors can use to craft a narrative experience for the reader. In your small group, discuss the organization of The Book of Unknown Americans. These questions can also be found on the Section 3 Question Set.

  1. What strategy does Henríquez use to move the story from one event to the next?

  2. Who is the protagonist in the book? Is there more than one? How do you know?

  3. How are the voices of the main characters different? How are they the same? Cite examples from the book to support your answer.

  4. What impact does the narrative structure of the book have on the reader’s experience?

Step 2

Share what your group discussed in a whole-class discussion.

Activity 3: Read – Write

For homework, we will read pages 180–202 of the novel.

For homework, read and annotate pages 180-202 of The Book of Unknown Americans. Write down four entries in your Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tool, focusing at least one of you entries on narrative structure. When completing your Literary Elements and Narrative Techniques Note-Taking Tool, think of recurring ideas or themes that are emerging.

Be sure to write down new or interesting words in your Vocabulary Journal.