American Literature Reading and Writing Workshop

Reading and Writing Workshop: Colonial and Early American Literature 1607 to 1800
Using Public Domain Works

Workshop Overview
​This workshop will immerse students in close reading, analytical writing, and creative composition using public domain texts from the Colonial and Early American period. Students will engage in guided reading discussions, rhetorical analysis, and creative writing exercises while drawing inspiration from foundational American literary voices.

Essential Questions

1. How do early American texts reflect the values and struggles of their time
2. What rhetorical and narrative strategies did Colonial and Enlightenment writers use to persuade or inform
3. How can we apply early American literary styles to our own writing today

Workshop Structure
Week One: Close Reading and Rhetorical Analysis
Objective: Develop skills in analyzing persuasive rhetoric, figurative language, and historical context
Texts Public Domain

• Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin excerpts
• Common Sense by Thomas Paine excerpts
• The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano excerpts
• Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

Activities

• Close Reading Stations
  • Break students into small groups, each analyzing different rhetorical devices imagery, parallelism, appeals to fear or reason
  • Rotate through station prompts that guide them in annotating and discussing techniques
• AI Enhanced Text Analysis Optional Tech Activity
  • Use AI text analyzer to identify rhetorical strategies in the texts and compare AI generated insights with student observations
• Quick Writes and Discussion
  • Respond to essential questions with textual evidence in short journal reflections
  • Example Prompt: Do you find Edwards sermon effective as a persuasive piece Why or why not

Week Two: Writing Workshop – Emulating Early American Styles
Objective: Apply literary techniques from early American texts in creative and analytical writing
Writing Exercises

• Rhetorical Speech Challenge
  • Write a mini sermon or persuasive speech in the style of Jonathan Edwards or Thomas Paine
  • Use vivid imagery and strong rhetorical appeals
  • Share in small groups and analyze effectiveness
• Personal Narrative in Colonial Style
  • Inspired by The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano students write a short personal narrative
  • Must incorporate aphorisms Franklin style or sensory details Equiano style
  • Peer feedback session to revise for authenticity
• Poetry Imitation Anne Bradstreet’s Style
  • Read Bradstreet’s To My Dear and Loving Husband public domain
  • Write a poem emulating her structure and themes such as faith, love, and personal reflection

Week Three: Workshop Culmination – Revision and Reflection
Objective: Strengthen writing through peer workshops and produce polished pieces
Activities

• Peer Review Circles
  • Students exchange drafts and provide constructive feedback using a rubric
  • Focus on historical accuracy, rhetorical effectiveness, and clarity
• Final Portfolio Submission
  • One polished piece choice sermon, personal narrative, or poem and a reflection
  • Reflection questions: What did you learn from emulating early American writing styles How does historical context shape writing
• Socratic Seminar Discussion and Wrap Up
  • How do themes from early American literature such as faith, reason, freedom, and identity connect to today's world

Assessments

• Formative
  • Journals, quick writes, and discussion participation
• Summative
  • Final portfolio piece rubric-based assessment
  • Class discussion participation evaluating depth of analysis

Would you like modifications for different ability levels or additional resources