A Walk in the Woods

How does Bryson mix personal anecdotes with historical and factual information about the Appalachian Trail and the locations they visit? Does this combination make the book more engaging or informative? Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question.

• How might the book have been different if Bryson had only focused on his journey without incorporating the broader context and history of the Appalachian Trail?
• Bryson’s storytelling combines subjective (personal anecdotes) and objective (factual information) elements. How does this mix influence your trust in him as a narrator?
• How does Bryson balance his voice with the objective voice needed to deliver historical facts and data? Do these two voices seem to be in conflict, or do they complement each other?

Teaching Suggestion: For this question, you may wish to have students identify a personal anecdote that Bryson shares and a piece of historical information from the book. Students can explore how they relate to each other and the connections between the personal and historical narratives.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Debate on Conservation Issues”

In this activity, students will debate a statement related to the conservation themes in the book.