1 Ben's early childhood was happy. He spent a lot of time playing, swimming, and fishing on the Charles River in Boston. Determined to swim faster, young Ben designed and made paddles for his hands and feet to help him move through water more easily. Even as a child, Franklin had an inventive mind and a desire to improve himself.
2 "From a Child I was fond of Reading," Ben wrote, "and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books." Although he went to school for only two years, Ben learned about many different subjects by reading books and talking to people who knew more than he did. He looked at the world in a practical way, trying to find solutions for everyday problems.
3 When Ben was 10, he left school and began working in his father's soap and candle shop. He spent his days "employed in cutting Wick for the Candles, filling the Dipping Mold ... attending the Shop, going on errands, etc." Although Ben did not enjoy this experience, it helped him learn the importance of hard work. He also spent time with his father watching other craftsmen at their work. He learned to appreciate workmanship and creativity.
4 After several years, it became clear to Ben's father that his son wasn't too happy in the soap and candle shop. Mr. Franklin sent Ben to work with his older brother James, who owned a print shop. Although James was often harsh with his younger brother, Ben enjoyed the printing business. "In a little time I made great Proficiency in the Business, and became a useful Hand to my Brother," he wrote later. Not only did Ben learn all the skills of printing, he also wrote poetry, essays, and articles for his brother's newspaper. Ben's natural ability as a writer developed quickly.
5 When Ben worked with his brother, he spent much of his free time reading. "Often I sat up in my Room reading the greatest part of the Night, when the Book was borrow'd in the Evening to be return'd in the Morning." He also used this time to improve his writing skills. Studying the work of other authors, Ben would try to rewrite their essays in his own words.
6. When he was 17, Ben left his brother's print shop. He moved to Philadelphia and found work as a printer and a writer. Eventually, he opened his own print shop. Later, his accomplishments as a scientist and statesman made him one of the most powerful and important men in America. But Ben Franklin never forgot the lessons he learned during his boyhood years.
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Question 1
1.
In "Excerpt from Printer's Ink" and "Excerpt from Young Ben Franklin," what quality about Ben Franklin is emphasized in both articles? How does each author support this quality about Ben Franklin? Use details from both articles to support your response.
In your response, be sure to
- identify a quality about Ben Franklin that is emphasized in both articles
-explain how each author supports this quality about Ben Franklin
-use details from both articles to support your response.
In "Excerpt from Printers Ink" and "Excerpt from Young Ben Franlin", the quality about Ben Franklin emphasized in both articles was that he was intelligent. Both authors from the two texts use their writing to support this.
For example, in the first article it says that some of the reasons why he liked being a printer was because he was interested in "politics, science, and books". This shows _______ . In the text, it also states that "What was different about Franklin's almanac were his wise and funny sayings and useful everyday advice." This supports _______ .
In the second article, it says that "Even as a child, Franklin had an inventive mind". This shows _______ . In addition it says that "Ben learned about many different subjects." This shows _______ . It also says that even though Benjamin Franklin didn't enjoy his experience in his father's shop, he still learned lessons from this experience as well. This shows _______ .
In both articles, it says that Ben Franklin grew to become one of the most successful men in America. In the first article, it says that he "became famous as a scientist, inventor, writer, and statesman." In the second article, it states that "his accomplishments as a scientist and statesman made him one of the "most powerful and important men in America." This shows _______ .
As you can see, one of the qualities emphasized in both articles by the authors is that Ben Franklin had a smart mind and was intelligent and wise.
Question 2
2.
Did you know Benjamin Franklin dropped out of school just to work on writing newspapers and essays? Well, his dreams became true in a few years.
In both articles "Excerpt from printer's ink" and "Excerpt from young Ben Franklin", they identify a quality about Ben Franklin. One quality that is emphasized in both texts is that Ben became successful after he opened his own print shop in Philadelphia. Like the article "Excerpt from printer's ink", in paragraph 6 and 7, it talks about his greatest book he has made and his career. In the article "Excerpt from young Ben Franklin", paragraph 6 talks about when he was 17 that he left his brother's print shop and moved to Philadelphia and opened his own print shop. He was then one of the most important men in America. This shows _______ .
Each author supports this quality by simply stating his old life to his new life. For example, "Excerpt from printer's ink" states: "Many people believe that Ben Franklin's autobiography, the story of his own life, was the first great book ever written by an American. Franklin wrote it when he was an old man, finishing it at the age of 82. He continued writing even on his deathbed. His last writings were essays against slavery." This means _______ . His last essays were against slavery.
Also, the text states: "Benjamin Franklin became famous as a scientist, inventor, writer, and statesman. But when he wrote his will, he began with the words: 'I, Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, printer...'" This means _______ .
The article "Excerpt from young Ben Franklin" states: "When he was 17, Ben left his brother's print shop. He moved to Philadelphia and found work as a printer and writer. Eventually, he opened his own print shop. Later, his accomplishments as a scientist and statesman made him one of the most powerful and important men in America. But Ben Franklin never forgot the lessons he learned during his boyhood years." This means that _______ .
As a conclusion, Benjamin Franklin became successful by moving out of his brother's print shop and opening his own in Philadelphia. Would you drop out of school, not knowing if you'll become successful like a printer?