Name ___________________________ Date ________________ Period _______

Narrative Accounts (p.56)

___________________ tell the story of real-life events.
___________________ accounts are written by eyewitnesses or participants
of the events that make up the narrative.
___________________ accounts are written by people who researched the
events, but did not directly witness or experience them.
Some narratives suffer from being told from the writers personal slant or
one-sided perspective, also known as ___________________.
Note: As you read narrative accounts, identify the writers purpose and check for
subjectivity or bias (subjectivity is a synonym for bias).
An _________________________ is the reason why an author decides to
write about a specific topic. Once a topic is selected, the author must then
decide whether his/her purpose for writing is to inform, persuade, entertain,
or explain.
Directions: As we read from Journal of the First Voyage to America by
Christopher Columbus, 1. jot down details of the authors description of the
island of San Salvador. 2. Then, explain what you believe to be the authors
purpose for describing things this way.
Descriptions

Authors Purpose
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________

Narrative Accounts (p.70)

Directions: As we read Smiths and Bradfords narrative accounts, take note of
how each author portrays himself.
Also, take note of subject bias or exaggeration.
Columbus

Smith

Bradford

Focus Questions
Directions: On your own paper, answer each question below. Be sure to use
complete sentences and textual evidence.
1. (a) Give one example of the way John Smith praises his own good qualities in
The General History of Virginia. (b) What impression of Smith do you get from
this account?
2. (a) What do you think Smiths purpose was in writing his narrative? (b) In what
way was Bradfords purpose different?
3.Which account, John Smiths or William Bradfords, seems more reliable to you?
Explain.