Intro To Historical Fiction

Writing Prompt

Imagine you are a teenager.You are told you are royalty.

You are given the throne.But your cousin wants to take

your place—so she has you arrested and sentenced to be

killed.

Write a letter to your father that shows how you are feeling.

Lady Jane Grey

Tower of London

Research through Text

• How does anyone know what took How does anyone know what took place hundreds or thousands of place hundreds or thousands of years ago? How is it possible to years ago? How is it possible to write about what people did, what write about what people did, what they looked like, and what they felt they looked like, and what they felt like?like?

• Researchers use Researchers use artifactsartifacts to piece to piece together information about a together information about a particular time and place—and even particular time and place—and even about particular lives!about particular lives!

• What might an “artifact” be?What might an “artifact” be?

History vs. Historical FictionHistory Historical Fiction

Facts Based on facts, with some poetic license

Made up of primary documents Made up by the author after consulting primary and other documents

Purpose: to narrate events as accurately as possible

Purpose: to entertain

Challenge: to be accurate, complete, and without bias

Challenge: to balance entertainment with historical accuracy

While reading: Connect with background information and other text for a “bigger picture”; consider bias

While reading: Recognize the author’s purpose; link to background information to better understand story

Your turn!Defining Moments contains historical AND historical fiction documents about a real person, Lady Jane Grey.

Start by looking at pages 190-191. After you have skimmed over it, turn to your partner and discuss the kinds of artifacts it shows, as well as what information it gives.

Now…

Read pages 192, 194-198.

Afterwards, answer questions #3 and 4 (on page 199) on a piece of paper.

Be ready to defend your answers.