Absalom, Absalom Lesson Plan

Faulkner's Writing Style

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will be able to analyze and recreate Faulkner's distinctive and difficult style of prose.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4

Structure:

Part 1: Deconstructing Faulkner's Prose

First, students will practice breaking down Faulkner's extremely long sentences so that they can better understand both the plot and the style of writing. Students should be given the following passage:

"Of the two men (I don't speak of Ellen, of course: in fact, you will notice that most divorces occur with women who were married by tobacco-chewing j.p.'s in country courthouses or by ministers...