Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose

As readers of Roses classic play, I expect you to read critically not only when required to talk to the
text but for every act of the play. Literature, especially critically acclaimed texts, beg to be examined,
questioned, challenged most of all, they can often be teachers to help us reflect upon our history, our
values, and our own lives.

To achieve this, I offer these suggestions:

1. During or after your reading of each act, talk to the text by adding questions, connections, evaluations,
analysis, etc. to help further your understanding of the play. If talking to the text doesnt fit your style, take
notes that are organized by act. If you are a visual person, draw sketches in the margins to help you. If you
are an auditory learner, consider finding an audio version of the play. While this is not graded, it is highly
recommended to help you be successful on quizzes, tests, and in class discussions.
2. As you read, you will inevitably stumble upon new words, terminology, or historical references/allusions
that may be unfamiliar to you. Be proactive! GOOGLE and take notes so you can share your knowledge
with your peers.
3. If time permits, try to read each act more than once particularly before a quiz or test. Since you will also
be given a Readers Theater score for your role, it is essential that you read over your part in advance so
as to be prepared.

What I Expect:
1. Ms. Matis Automatics:
a. Characters (names, roles, motivations, relationships, traits)
b. Setting (time, place, environment, attitudes, historical era)
c. Plot (order of events, why the events happen, how the events unfold, significance of events to the
plot as a whole, characters involved in said events)
d. Theme (be on the look out for developing themes remember, the protagonist(s) often reveal the
theme and novels usually have more than one central theme)
e. Significant lines of dialogue or narration (make note of narration or dialogue you deem
important on that note, you should be able to match relevant dialogue to character(s), if asked)
2. Be prepared to discuss the play in class with authority and enthusiasm. Come prepared with
questions, comments, opinions, connections, and the like. Over the years, I have found that the
classes that discuss the most effectively often learn the most, not only from the text or the teacher,
but also from each other.
3. Always be caught up with your reading and any additional assignments. A pop quiz may rear its
head at any time.
4. I expect you to critically approach this text. This does not necessitate liking it; however, it does
mandate that you will value the text as one to be questioned, analyzed, and evaluated. I expect you
to think! Think! Think!
5. Journals (Google Drive) should be completed in a timely, thoughtful and thorough manner. I also
hope you will use the ideas garnered from these journals to bring to class discussion and our
examination of the play.

READING SCHEDULE (*subject to change at teachers discretion):

Act I reading & vocabulary due ____________________________________
Act I journal due ____________________________________
Act II reading & vocabulary due ____________________________________
Act II journal due ____________________________________
Act III reading & vocabulary due ____________________________________
Act III journal due ____________________________________