Complete Works--Warren
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Reading and Writing Workshop
Mercy Otis Warren – Voice of the Revolution
Overview:
This workshop explores the literary, historical, and political contributions of Mercy Otis Warren, an early American writer, political thinker, and historian. Through reading excerpts from her plays, poems, letters, and historical writings, participants will analyze her style, evaluate her arguments, and respond through creative and analytical writing.
Session 1: Introduction to Mercy Otis Warren
Focus: Life, legacy, and influence
Reading: Biographical sketch
Text: The Life and Works of Mercy Otis Warren (Introduction and selected letters)
URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Writing Activity: Reflective writing — How do Warren’s views reflect the revolutionary spirit? How does her identity as a woman shape her voice?
Session 2: Revolutionary Rhetoric in Dramatic Form
Focus: Political satire in early American drama
Reading: Excerpt from The Adulateur (1772)
Text Source: History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution Appendix
URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Writing Activity: Write a short political skit satirizing a modern political issue in the style of Warren.
Session 3: Advocacy through Poetry
Focus: Patriotism and liberty in poetic form
Reading: “A Political Reverie”
Text Source: Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous (1790)
URL: https://archive.org/details/poemsdramaticmis00warr/page/n9/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Compose a poem inspired by a contemporary political or social cause, emulating Warren’s tone and structure.
Session 4: Women's Voices in the Revolution
Focus: Gender, identity, and political agency
Reading: Excerpts from Warren’s letters and “Observations on the New Constitution”
Text Source: Observations on the New Constitution (1788)
URL: https://archive.org/details/observationsonne00warr/page/n5/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Write a persuasive letter from the perspective of an 18th-century woman advocating for political rights.
Session 5: Historical Memory and Perspective
Focus: Rewriting the American Revolution
Reading: Excerpts from History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution (1805)
Text Source: Volumes I & II
Volume I URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Volume II URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27578
Writing Activity: Compare Warren’s account of the Revolution with that of another historian. What voices are included or excluded?
Session 6: Rhetorical Strategies and Political Philosophy
Focus: Analyzing style and argument
Reading: Excerpts from her criticism of the Constitution and Federalists
Text: “Observations on the New Constitution”
URL: https://archive.org/details/observationsonne00warr/page/n5/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Analyze Warren’s use of logos, ethos, and pathos. Write a short op-ed using her rhetorical techniques.
Session 7: Creative Writing – Voices of Liberty
Focus: Historical fiction and dramatic monologue
Activity: Choose a moment from Warren’s life or writings and write a first-person dramatic monologue or fictionalized letter.
Mentor Text: Any excerpt from Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous or The Adulateur
URL: https://archive.org/details/poemsdramaticmis00warr/page/n9/mode/2up
Session 8: Capstone Discussion and Portfolio
Focus: Reflection and synthesis
Reading: Selections chosen by participants for final analysis
Activity: Compile a portfolio of revised writings from the workshop and write a final reflection — What would Mercy Otis Warren say about democracy today?
Overview:
This workshop explores the literary, historical, and political contributions of Mercy Otis Warren, an early American writer, political thinker, and historian. Through reading excerpts from her plays, poems, letters, and historical writings, participants will analyze her style, evaluate her arguments, and respond through creative and analytical writing.
Session 1: Introduction to Mercy Otis Warren
Focus: Life, legacy, and influence
Reading: Biographical sketch
Text: The Life and Works of Mercy Otis Warren (Introduction and selected letters)
URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Writing Activity: Reflective writing — How do Warren’s views reflect the revolutionary spirit? How does her identity as a woman shape her voice?
Session 2: Revolutionary Rhetoric in Dramatic Form
Focus: Political satire in early American drama
Reading: Excerpt from The Adulateur (1772)
Text Source: History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution Appendix
URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Writing Activity: Write a short political skit satirizing a modern political issue in the style of Warren.
Session 3: Advocacy through Poetry
Focus: Patriotism and liberty in poetic form
Reading: “A Political Reverie”
Text Source: Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous (1790)
URL: https://archive.org/details/poemsdramaticmis00warr/page/n9/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Compose a poem inspired by a contemporary political or social cause, emulating Warren’s tone and structure.
Session 4: Women's Voices in the Revolution
Focus: Gender, identity, and political agency
Reading: Excerpts from Warren’s letters and “Observations on the New Constitution”
Text Source: Observations on the New Constitution (1788)
URL: https://archive.org/details/observationsonne00warr/page/n5/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Write a persuasive letter from the perspective of an 18th-century woman advocating for political rights.
Session 5: Historical Memory and Perspective
Focus: Rewriting the American Revolution
Reading: Excerpts from History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution (1805)
Text Source: Volumes I & II
Volume I URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27577
Volume II URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27578
Writing Activity: Compare Warren’s account of the Revolution with that of another historian. What voices are included or excluded?
Session 6: Rhetorical Strategies and Political Philosophy
Focus: Analyzing style and argument
Reading: Excerpts from her criticism of the Constitution and Federalists
Text: “Observations on the New Constitution”
URL: https://archive.org/details/observationsonne00warr/page/n5/mode/2up
Writing Activity: Analyze Warren’s use of logos, ethos, and pathos. Write a short op-ed using her rhetorical techniques.
Session 7: Creative Writing – Voices of Liberty
Focus: Historical fiction and dramatic monologue
Activity: Choose a moment from Warren’s life or writings and write a first-person dramatic monologue or fictionalized letter.
Mentor Text: Any excerpt from Poems, Dramatic and Miscellaneous or The Adulateur
URL: https://archive.org/details/poemsdramaticmis00warr/page/n9/mode/2up
Session 8: Capstone Discussion and Portfolio
Focus: Reflection and synthesis
Reading: Selections chosen by participants for final analysis
Activity: Compile a portfolio of revised writings from the workshop and write a final reflection — What would Mercy Otis Warren say about democracy today?