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The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life": read and explore
When Hugh Morgan is found dead in his cabin, an inquest reveals a disturbing account…
About this reading
- Author
- Ambrose Bierce
- Form
- novel
- Catalog year
- 1893
Choose this reading by interest and comfort with the language. This catalog does not assign a school grade. Preview the text before reading with a child; classic works can contain unfamiliar language and historical attitudes.
Read The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life"Preview the language: Part 1
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DAMNED THING *** Produced by David Widger THE DAMNED THING By Ambrose Bierce Reprinted by permission. From "In the Midst of Life," copyright, 1898, by G. P. Putnam's Sons I By THE light of a tallow candle, which had been placed on one end of a rough table, a man was reading something written in a book. It was an old account book, greatly worn; and the writing was not, apparently, very …
Choose a phrase from this opening. What does it suggest, and which words support your interpretation? Read on to test your first impression.
A reading activity for The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life"
- Before opening the text, read the title and this catalog description: “When Hugh Morgan is found dead in his cabin, an inquest reveals a disturbing account…” Write one question you hope the reading will answer.
- Read a short passage. Choose one sentence that helps you understand what is happening and explain which words support your interpretation.
- Choose one unfamiliar word. Guess its meaning from the surrounding words, then check a dictionary or discuss it with a reading partner.
- Return to your original question. Explain what the passage answered and what you still need to read to find out.
These are suggested discussion tasks, not a scored assessment or a claim that finishing the text establishes mastery.
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Source edition: Project Gutenberg record for The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life". This link identifies the catalog source; it does not imply endorsement.
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Educators and independent learners
Learning goal: Read The Damned Thing: 1898, From "In the Midst of Life" by Ambrose Bierce, then support an interpretation with words from the text.
Before you begin: Preview the language and historical context. Select a passage appropriate for your learners.
Check understanding: Ask for one observation, the evidence that supports it, and a question to investigate next.
Catalog inclusion does not assign a school grade. Preview historical language and themes before using a work with children.
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