1. Quickwrite
Select one of the Quickwrites below to complete. You have 10 minutes.
Describe a time you felt like walking/driving away from all of your stresses. Where would you go? Why would you leave?
Tell me about a time you tried to do something completely out of your comfort zone? Where were you? What do you remember feeling? How did you keep going when you wanted to give up? did you give up? What did you learn about the activity? about yourself?

2. Into the Wild
Into the Wild is a nonfiction, full-length text by Jon Krakauer. Published in 1996, it is based on an article Krakauer wrote in Outside Magazine about Christopher McCandless, a young college graduate who went off to Alaska and died in the woods. Because Krakauer's’ article drew a huge amount of mail to the magazine, he decided to write a book about this interesting character.
What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction?
Have you read any of Krakauer’s other work?

3. Chris mcCandless
Chris McCandless was an idealistic young man who formed a life philosophy based on his experience and his reading in college. His idealism, ironically, led to his death by starvation. He made choices that seemed foolish as we look at them now. But McCandless genuinely loved the outdoors and wanted to live in the world without all the trappings of money and his middle-class upbringing. Into the Wild is, in a way, a mystery story. We’re unsure as to why he rejected his family, why he was so angry with them, and why he chose to head for Alaska.

4. The Text
On the back of your book card, add into the wild on the “Title of book” line.
Write the middle four numbers (displayed on the bottom of your book) on the “book no.” line.
Return your book card to me please.

5. Into the Wild Reading Journal
Grab pieces of notebook paper
Staple these pieces together (feel free to include your quickwrite from earlier)
Title the front page: Into the Wild Journal
Add your Name
I will file these in your writing portfolio.

6. Survey the Text With a partner, look through your books and
Count the number of chapters in the text.
Read a few of the chapter titles. What do they have in common?
Read a few of the short epigraphs that come before a chapter begins. (An epigraph is a relevant quotation at the beginning of a book, a chapter, etc.).
Do they seem to have a common thread?
What do you know about the epigraphs and/or their authors?
Look at the length of the book.
Look at any maps or photographs.
How do the book or chapters appear to be organized?

7. Annotating the Author’s Note
As we read the Author’s note, annotate the following items on your sticky notes:
Paragraphs 1-3: mark key information provided about Chris McCandless with sticky notes. Jot any thoughts you have about this information on the relevant sticky notes.
Paragraph 4: mark the author’s (Krakauer’s) statement of his purpose and subject of the text with a sticky note. I would note purpose and subject on your sticky note.
Paragraphs 5-7: Place a sticky in a relevant position and list some of the words in that section of the reading on the sticky that describe Krakauer’s attitude toward Chris McCandless
Paragraph 8: mark contrasting ideas with a sticky note (ex: youth and old age. No, those don’t pertain to this; just an example). I would make a note about what ideas contrast on your sticky note.

8. Author’s Note Discussion
How long did Krakauer conduct research on McCandless’s journey?
What theme does Mccandless’s story highlight for Krakauer?
What does Krakauer want you as a reader to do?
Should we be vigilant about the information we gain from this text?

9. Author’s Note
In your journal, create and complete the following chart based on your annotations:
Chris
Krakauer
What are your impressions of McCandless based on Krakauer’s description:
What are your impressions of Krakauer himself?
What specific details or words give you this impression: