Everyone loves a good rags-to-riches story, be it that of Harry Potter creator J.K Rowling, Steve Jobs of “Apple” fame or even that of Don Vito Corleone in the the Godfather series. Something about these stories makes you want to root for the protagonist all the way to the finish line. The story of Benjamin Franklin is no different.
The readers feel an instant connection as he addresses them as “Dear Son”, something unique and different which reiterates his position as one of the Founding Fathers. His eloquent writing transports the reader to a time far behind his own and allows them to see his world through his eyes. His tone and the flashes of humor in his narrative(“By my rambling digressions..........perhaps only negligence.” [14]) help the reader connect with Franklin, adding a personal dimension to the story, which makes for a compelling read. He also personalizes the tale with things like the background of his ancestors,the inscription on his parents' grave and an excerpt from his uncle's poem. I've personally never read an autobiography or memoir, but Franklin's compelling narrative might just persuade me to do otherwise.
Things that might help in classroom discussions:
a) There usually isn't just one right answer, so respect the arguments put forth by every party.
b)Wait your turn to speak up. Don't interrupt anybody trying to make a point.
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