1. American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer
Feature Menu
Introducing the Story
Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach
Reading Skills: Summarizing

2. American History by Judith Ortiz Cofer

3. American History Introducing the Story
All loss, all pain, is particular; the universe remains to the heart unhurt.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841

4. American History Introducing 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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5. American History Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach
Biographical Approach
Writers may reveal something about their childhood, heritage, or beliefs in a literary work.
Writers change names and details.

6. American History Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach
Writers may relate a literary work to the themes and issues of their historical period.
The historical issues may be central to the work or provide background for the characters’ lives.

7. American History Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach
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.

8. American History Literary Focus: Biographical and Historical Approach
The Best of Both Approaches
“American History” incorporates elements from history.
Elena’s experiences reveal
what life was like for Puerto Rican immigrants living in New Jersey in the 1960s
how President Kennedy’s assassination affected the nation
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9. American History Reading Skills: Summarizing
When you finish a story, you should pause to summarize what happens.
Focus on the story’s most important elements by reviewing
who the main characters are
what happens to them

10. American History Reading Skills: Summarizing
After you have summarized a story, compare it to the original text.
Have any important details or events been left out?
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.
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11. American History Background
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. That unforgettable day has become an important part of the way we view ourselves as a nation. Even today people from all walks of life share stories about where they were and what they were doing when Kennedy was killed.
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12. Quickwrite

13. American History Quickwrite
Make the Connection
List moments in your life that you’ll always remember. Your list might include events that have historical significance as well as personal importance. Jot down notes explaining why each event is memorable.
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14. Vocabulary

15. American History Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
literally adv.: actually; in fact.
discreet adj.: careful; showing good judgment.
linger v.: continue to stay; be reluctant to leave.
infatuated adj.: carried away by shallow or foolish love.
vigilant adj.: watchful.
enthralled v.: fascinated.

16. American History Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
elation n.: great joy.
distraught adj.: deeply troubled, as with worry or grief.
dilapidated adj.: in poor condition; shabby and neglected.
solace n.: comfort; easing of grief.

17. American History Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity: Analogies
In an analogy the same relationship must be expressed in two pairs of words.
TERRIFIED : AFRAID :: hot : ______
a. cold b. warm c. dry d. thirsty
warm
1. The relationship between the first pair of words is one of degree. Terrified describes a more intense, overwhelming type of fear than the word afraid implies.
2. In the second pair, hot refers to having a high temperature. The one word choice that indicates less intense heat is warm.

18. American History Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity: Analogies
Relationship
Example
Synonyms
HELP : AID :: speak : talk
Degree
DISAPPOINTED : HEARTBROKEN :: pretty : beautiful
Object (or thing) to a characteristic of it
APPLE : CRISP :: lemon : sour
Cause and effect
COLD : SHIVER :: happiness : smile
Object to function
SCALE : WEIGH :: knife : cut
Worker to tool
CARPENTER : SAW :: firefighter : hose
Performer to action
CLOWN : JUGGLE :: pitcher : throw

19. American History Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity: Analogies
Use the Word Bank words to complete each analogy.
infatuated distraught dilapidated literally elation
1. LABOR : FATIGUE :: victory : __________
2. DAMP : WET :: worried : __________
3. PIN : SHARP :: shack : __________
HONESTLY : TRUTHFULLY :: actually : __________
CHILLY : FREEZING :: attracted : __________
elation
distraught
dilapidated
literally
infatuated
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20. Meet the Writer

21. American History Meet the Writer
Judith Ortiz Cofer was born in Puerto Rico. Her family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, after her father joined the United States Navy. Her family often returned to Puerto Rico, and Cofer spent her childhood partly in New Jersey and partly in Puerto Rico.
While in Paterson, Cofer’s family lived in a large apartment building that was known as El Building (like Elena’s home in “American History”).
More About the Writer
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