Week+4+The+Founding+Fathers

This week's readings give us insight into the psyche and work ethic of some of America's founding fathers: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. As you read these pieces, ask yourself, "What is the rhetorical purpose for this writing? Why is Franklin/Adams/Jefferson telling me these things? What is his/their goal?" I mean, ask yourself a bunch of other questions, too, but definitely keep their rhetorical purposes in mind as you read.

Monday - Benjamin Franklin - Read the head note/introductory material for Benjamin Franklin. Be sure to look at and admire the pretty pictures that appear in the middle of Franklin's section. We're reading his autobiography, parts I and II only, pgs. 473-534. Feel free to read other parts, but that will be our focus on Monday.

Wednesday - John Adams's "Letters" pgs. 616-629

Friday - Thomas Jefferson's "Autobiography" and "Notes on the State of Virginia" (649-665)

Be sure to contribute to the discussion page. Post a question/query/observation by 10:00 p.m. Sunday night and respond to two other posts through the week.