In the 1850's abolition was not a widely embraced movement in the U.S. It was considered radical and extreme. In his speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Frederick Douglas sought to make abolition acceptable to Northern whites. In addition to making historical points about attitudes towards slavery in the 19th century, this speech can be used to teach formal rhetoric. The lesson features five interactive activities requiring close reading and analysis of Frederick's use of language and rhetorical strategies.

This Random House for High School Teachers reader's guide includes an introduction, discussion questions, and author biography designed to enhance student reading of author John Pipkin's brilliant and illuminating novel, Woodsburner.

In this lesson, students will pair reading and discussion of Tim O'Brien's story "The Things they Carried" with a letter-writing activity intended to help students analyze text to identify figurative and connotative meaning as well as ultimately organize and create their own piece of prose.

This lesson examines Charlotte Perkin Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaer" through critcal reading and analysis of the short story. Students will also use text-dependent questions to write a reflective, thematic essay.