Frederick Douglass taught himself to read despite efforts to prevent slaves from becoming literate. He traded food to learn from white schoolboys and read materials like the Columbian Orator on his own. As an adult, Douglass published two abolitionist newspapers, The Liberator and The North Star, to spread awareness of the horrors of slavery. By using newspapers to share truths about slavery, Douglass helped gain respect for African Americans and showed how print media could influence public opinion on important issues.

1. Frederick
Douglass
Redefining the term “Free
Press”

2. Learning to
Read
 Growing up as a slave, young Frederick
had to fight to learn to read and write.
 His master’s wife, who at first was
teaching him to read, was later ordered to
stop for fear he would then wish to revolt
against her.
 Frederick read anyway, and taught himself
by reading things like the Columbian
Orator.
 He traded his bread rations to local white
boys, who would then teach him what
they had learned that day at school in
their primers.
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3. WholeClass
Freewrite and
Discussion:
Reading as a
Privilege
Please record responses on the back of your Cornell notes
1. Do you ever take your ability to read for granted? Is reading a
privilege??
2.What were some of your favorite books growing up? List as many
as you can remember.
3.What If someone told you your favorite book was banned? How
would you respond?
_________________________________________________________
 Look at and discuss the ALA’s challenged books list
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/top-100-bannedchallenged-
books-2000-2009
 Compare and discuss the way books are challenged and removed
to Frederick’s experiences.
 Make connections to the role of the free press in a democratic
society; how might censoring the free press be similar to censoring
young Freddy?

4. The
Liberator
Douglass befriends a publisher
named William Lloyd Garrison
and begins writing for larger
audiences.

5. The North
Star
Frederick’s abolitionist press
helps spread the word to slaves
all over the United States.

6. Why was he
important to
journalism?
 He used newspapers to spread the
horrible truths about slavery that no
one wanted to hear.
 He helped African Americans gain
respect in a society that saw them as
nothing but slaves.
 He showed how printed words could
change the national perception on
certain issues if the audience was wide
enough.

7. DouglassQuiz
Please record your responses on the back of your Cornell
notes in complete sentences.
4. How did Frederick teach himself to read? (at least one
specific example)
5. Name the two newspapers that Douglass wrote
for/published?
6.What was Douglass’ end goal in writing for the
abolitionist cause?
7. Do you think certain books should be censored/removed
from libraries? Support your response (full paragraph, 4-5
sentences)

8. Pre-reading
Activities for
Into theWild
Please Pick-up both handouts from
the front desk after turning in your
Douglass notes and quiz.
 Investigative Journalism
 Researching Background
For tomorrow:
1. Fill-in the top row on the
Investigative Journalism Sheet
(Carl Ramirez)
2. Fill-in the top 3 rows on the
Researching Background Sheet
Will finish in class tomorrow