Before Reading
Identify the Author's Purpose
Read about aim in Literary Tools and About the Selection on page 310 in your textbook. On the back of this sheet, make a cluster chart like the one shown in Literary Tools. In the center circle, write what you think Elizabeth's aim is.
During Reading
Keep Purpose in Mind While Reading
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first five lines of the poem. As you listen, add important details about the aim to your cluster chart.
2. Continue reading the selection on your own. Keep adding details related to the aim. You may wish to add line numbers to help you locate where you found a particular detail.
Fix-Up Idea: Unlock Difficult Words
Before reading the selection, preview Words for Everyday Use. Read each word, definition, and contextual sentence carefully. Write your own contextual sentence for each word. Then preview the footnotes. Read each word or phrase and its explanation carefully. As you read, refer back to the footnotes to refresh your understanding of the words. Use context clues to determine the meanings of other unfamiliar words. If you cannot understand the words using context clues, consult a dictionary.
After Reading
Discuss the Author's Purpose
With a partner, compare the details you included in your cluster charts. Evaluate how well the poem achieves the author's aim.