What's the Purpose?: Examining a Cold Manipulation of Language

Materials and Technology

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Strategy Guide: Using the RAFT Writing Strategy

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PRINTOUTS

• Definition List
• Part II: Persons Unknown
• In Cold Blood and "A Christmas Memory" Passages
  
• RAFT Scoring Guide
• RAFT Writing Template
• T-chart printout

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WEBSITES

• Truman Capote: His Life and Works
  

  This is an interview by George Plimpton of the New York Times. It was printed in 1966, not very long after the publication of In Cold Blood. In this article, Capote answers questions about his writing style and methods.

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PREPARATION

1. Distribute and provide reading assignments for In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Assign Part I before starting this lesson.
2. Acquire a copy of Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” from the 1963 copy of The Selected Writings of Truman Capote. Make a class set for your classes to share.
3. Print the following handouts for students to be used throughout the lesson.
   
   • Definition List
   • In Cold Blood and “A Christmas Memory” Passages
   • Part II: Persons Unknown
   • RAFT Scoring Guide

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