Study the paragraphs in Rural Life in England to discover whether or not there is in each one a topic sentence and a regular method of development.
Outline for the Study of Franklin's Autobiography
I. Preparation
The interest of such a book as Franklin's Autobiography does not lie in poetic language and rhetorical figures, but in the human interest shown in this record of a man's life. The teacher's aim, then, will be to fix in the minds of the students the essential facts of Franklin's life; their relation to one another; his connection with the advancement of society and with the achievements of our country; and the traits of his remarkable character. The approach to this study will most naturally be through what the students already know of Franklin's achievements and of his connection with history. These facts gathered from the class can be supplemented by others judiciously chosen for the purpose of making real the time in which Franklin lived, and of arousing an interest in the man himself.
II. Reading and Study
The student will have little or no difficulty in following the narrative of these pages, and with the aid of topics can be held strictly to account for the mastery of essential details. A good way, at first, is to assign, with the chapter for home reading, a list of topics to be studied, and later to require the pupils themselves to make out similar lists. The analysis of chapters is in itself valuable exercise and the use of topics for oral quiz and discussion is probably the best way for the daily study of such work. It is not desirable, however, that the analysis be too minute, or that it be carried so far as to kill the interest in the reading.
III. Study of the Book as a Whole
The purpose of this comprehensive study is two-fold: first, to group together in their proper relation the essential facts of the life and development of the man; and, second, to fix important matters and characteristic incidents. The following are a few topics and questions suggested for this study:
What were Franklin's achievements in business? in science? in literature? in military service? in diplomatic service? in public improvements?
Give the facts of his education, including his training, his private reading and study, and his broader education that came from association and travel.