Introducing the Story

Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach

Reading Skills: Summarizing

American Historyby Judith Ortiz Cofer

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American Historyby Judith Ortiz Cofer

All loss, all pain, is particular; the universe remains to the heart unhurt.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841

American HistoryIntroducing the Story

American HistoryIntroducing the Story

“American History” is a fictional work that incorporates historical details about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

• Set on the day of Kennedy’s assassination, this story focuses on a young Puerto Rican girl’s experience with prejudice and heartbreak.

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Biographical Approach

American HistoryLiterary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach

• Writers change names and details.

• Writers may reveal something about their childhood, heritage, or beliefs in a literary work.

Historical Approach

American HistoryLiterary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach

• The historical issues may be central to the work or provide background for the characters’ lives.

• Writers may relate a literary work to the themes and issues of their historical period.

The Best of Both Approaches

“American History” incorporates elements from the author’s own life.

• Elena’s experiences reflect the experiences of the author, Judith Ortiz Cofer, who also lived in a community of Puerto Rican immigrants in New Jersey.

American HistoryLiterary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach

The Best of Both Approaches

“American History” incorporates elements from history.

• Elena’s experiences reveal

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American HistoryLiterary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach

• what life was like for Puerto Rican immigrants living in New Jersey in the 1960s

• how President Kennedy’s assassination affected the nation

When you finish a story, you should pause to summarize what happens.

Focus on the story’s most important elements by reviewing

American HistoryReading Skills: Summarizing

• who the main characters are

• what happens to them

After you have summarized a story, compare it to the original text.

• Have any important details or events been left out?

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American HistoryReading Skills: Summarizing

• Would someone reading the summary have to read the original to have a solid understanding of the story?

If necessary, revise your summary so that it is as clear and informative as possible.