Before Reading
Make a Character Chart
Think about what you learned about Samuel Johnson from reading the selections by him. Review the techniques of characterization in Literary Tools on page 627. As you read, focus on how Boswell creates the character of Johnson. Make a chart to record information about the development of Johnson's character.
During Reading
Record Information About Character
1. Listen as your teacher reads the first segment of the selection. What do you learn about Johnson from this part of the selection? What does Boswell tell you directly? What do you learn from Johnson's actions? Write this information in your character chart.
2. Continue reading the selection on your own. Keep recording information about Johnson in your character chart.
Fix-Up Idea: Reread
Some of the sentences in this selection are quite long. Read through the selection, stopping any time a sentence is unclear. Work with a partner to untangle and paraphrase these long sentences. Break sentences into independent clauses, and find the subject and verb of each. Use the context of the selection to help you as well.
After Reading
Summarize What You Wrote
With a partner, discuss what you have learned about Samuel Johnson. What positive and negative attributes does he have? Is he somebody you would like to know? Why, or why not?