We learned earlier this year about Native American myths that were transmitted from one generation to the next through the oral tradition. In more modern times, we call a person’s own history an oral history if it is not written down, such as in a memoir or autobiography. Slaves were generally not literate and did not record their own stories. These oral histories have been preserved for us, so that we may have a greater understanding of the impact of slavery.
These narratives are transcribed to reflect the authentic voices of the storytellers. Therefore, they are written in dialect. Dialect can be hard to read, but not impossible. Read it as if you are reading phonetic (sound) spelling.
Directions:
You will be given a narrative to read and study. Read carefully and for understanding. This may take several readings. You will be filling out a chart that asks for specific details. This chart becomes the basis for your presentation to the class. You have two days only to read and research. This is not a group project. Be prepared to present what you have learned to the class on the third day.
- Go online to find the site for this part. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/wpa/wpahome.html
- Click on the annotated list of narratives: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/index.html
- Find the narrative you were assigned.
- Read carefully and record details on the chart. Open a digital copy. Click the link, choose Save; Save it in your H drive. Then click open and you are ready to begin working on the document. This document will be handed in.
- Share what you have learned from reading this narrative with the class. Use your chart to guide you.
