“ To Build a Fire”
Extension Assignment
To wrap-up this unit on survival and “understanding the meaning of things,” you will choose one
of the writing assignments below and complete the graphic requirement. I am going to be assessing
your understanding of the material by looking closely at what details you pull from the story and
how you are able to use these details to create new information. You will only have three class
periods to work on these assignments, so use your time wisely. You may, if you wish, complete
both writing assignments to receive extra credit.
credit
1. Journal: Using details found in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire,” pretend you are the man
who is traveling in the Yukon wilderness. Although it was not mentioned in the original text,
assume you were carrying a small notebook with you to record your experiences. You might begin
your journal before the hike—make sure you record what time you start your journey, and record
the time you write other entries. Describe the supplies you have brought with you and how they
will protect you from the cold. Also, make sure you focus on the mistakes you have made.
Requirements: Handwritten, at least five entries, at least one paragraph per entry, address at least
three complications in the plot, times for each entry must coincide with events in the story, use first
person point of view
2. Newspaper Article: Using details found in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire,” pretend you are a
reporter for an Alaskan newspaper. Write an expository article that describes the discovery of a
dead hiker in the Yukon wilderness. You will probably need to fill in necessary details not
mentioned in the story (e.g. name of victim, names of friends who reported the disappearance,
etc.)
Requirements: Handwritten or typed, at least five paragraphs, at least five details mentioned in the
story (facts that were established somewhere in the story,) use third person point of view
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Safety Poster:
Using details found in Jack London’s “To Build a Fire,” pretend you have been
placed in charge of creating a safety poster for hikers in the Yukon wilderness. What dangers
should hikers be alerted to? Your drawing should address something you found important within
the story. Examples include freezing temperatures, adequate protection, environmental dangers,
or advice given by the old-timer at Sulfur Creek.
Requirements: Hand-drawn, an event in the story is referenced, color, use persuasive writing
Rubric for Graphic Assignment
4
3
2
1
Used several story details
Persuasive in nature
References an actual event in the story
Color
High level of creativity
Needed more details from story
Could have been more persuasive
Indirectly references a story event—needs to be more clear
Mostly color—might need more
Stuck to the requirements (little creativity)
Not many details from story included
Not very persuasive
Reader needs help to determine which event is being referenced
Mostly in sketch form—needs more color
Little to no creativity; not much effort
Unrelated to story
Not persuasive
Does not address an event in the story
No color
Complete lack of effort/creativity
Rubric for Article Assignment
4
3
2
1
Used several story details
At least 5 paragraphs written
At least 5 details from story included
Consistent 3rd Person P.O.V.
High level of creativity
Needed more details from story
Less than 5 paragraphs written
Less than 5 details from story included
Inconsistent 3rd Person P.O.V.
Stuck to the requirements (little creativity)
Not many details from story included
Less than 4 paragraphs written
Less than 4 details from story included
Mostly in 1st Person P.O.V.
Little to no creativity; not much effort
Unrelated to story
Less than 3 paragraphs written
Less than 3 details from story included
Point of view in 1st or hard to determine
Complete lack of effort/creativity
Rubric for Journal Assignment
4
Used several story details
At least 5 entries written
Times of entries were noted
Entries coincided with events in story
Consistent 1st Person P.O.V.
High level of creativity
3
Needed more details from story
Less than 5 entries written
Times of entries may or may not be noted
Most entries coincided with events in story
Inconsistent 1st Person P.O.V.
Stuck to the requirements (little creativity)
2
Not many details from story included
Less than 4 entries written
Times of entries probably not included
Most entries did not coincide with events in story
Mostly in 3rd Person P.O.V.
Little to no creativity; not much effort
1
Unrelated to story
Less than 3 entries written
Times of entries not included
Entries did not coincide with events in story
Point of view in 3rd or hard to determine
Complete lack of effort
Advertising Techniques
BANDWAGON
"Everyone travels with a partner."
ENDORSEMENTS
"Jack London would come
prepared."
IDEAL WORLD
"If we are smart and come prepared,
we will be safe and happy in the
Yukon."
ARTISTIC
EFFECTS
"The colors, illustration, and design
are wonderful…safety is wonderful."
REPETITION
"I'll remember to be safe the next
time I go hiking."
EXCITEMENT
"Wow! Hiking in potentially cold
weather is exhilarating if I’m safe
and smart!"
EMOTIONAL
PROMISES
"How will your loved ones feel if
they know you are risking your life?"
EXAGGERATION
“Try saying Chechaquo with only
half your face."
Creative Blueprint:
Communication Objective:
(To sell a certain product or idea. What is the product or idea? Think of it being the benefits of coming to
the Yukon prepared.)
Target Audiences:
(What age group? What part of the country? Who would be interested in this?)
Current Attitudes:
(What do most people think and feel about this idea?)
Desired Attitudes:
(What do you want them to think and feel?)
Desired Action:
(What do you want them to do?)
Primary Selling Proposition:
("If you do this thing you will…")
Support:
(What support is there for you to behave in this way?)
Personality:
(What kind of personality do you want this ad to have? Risky? Exciting? Thoughtful?)
Success Indicators:
(When will you know the ad is successful?)
January 8th, 12:30 p.m.
Arrived at The Forks just like I thought. Figure I must be
going about 4 miles an hour. I still can’t believe how cold
it is here! Must be at least 50 below zero today—maybe
colder. Running out of tobacco, but it don’t matter much
since all it does is give me this darned yellow beard.
Biscuits and bacon were just what the doctor ordered—took
me a while to eat ‘em though—forgot to build a fire, so
when I went to take a bite, I couldn’t even get my mouth
open. Old man Humphreys was right—if I had a partner I
would’ve knowed that I should’ve built a fire first! Dog’s
driving me crazy—all it wants to do is lay around the fire
all day. Oh well, that’ll be me once I get to camp and the
boys. Better get moving—I can hardly feel my fingers in
this weather. I’m surprised I can even write this down!
Frozen
Hiker’s Body
Discovered
♦Man’s
Dog Alerted
Friends Waiting at
Camp
A. Rowland
Snark Enterprise
Henderson Creek, Alaska. The
body of a forty year old hiker was
found by searchers last night near the
fork at Henderson Creek, authorities
reported. According to a group of
men waiting at Angel’s Camp, the
hiker’s dog showed up without
him—they immediately sought help
to rescue their friend.
The victim, Joseph Shaw, a
Chechaquo, had apparently come
unprepared to the Yukon and
suffered what appeared to be
symptoms of extreme overexposure
to cold. According to one of the
searchers of the team, Shaw was
found seated under a tree just off the
main trail. “He was stone cold dead,
and it looked like he had a grin on
his face,” the man told authorities.
“The guy must have been pretty
dumb, too, because he didn’t think to
protect his face and he didn’t have a
traveling partner. This is the worst
I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”
Since the discovery of gold in
this region of Alaska, numerous
deaths have been attributed to the
victims’ being unprepared. In fact,
most deaths seemed to have occurred
when temperatures plummet beyond
minus sixty degrees. According to
Michael Humphreys, a veteran
prospector who resides in nearby
Sulfur Creek, most Checaquos or
newcomers do not heed his advice.
“I’ve been out here my whole life,
and these young whippersnappers
think they know best. They think
because I’ve got gray hair and can
barely walk anymore that it means I
don’t know what I’m talking about.
I told that fella he should be with
someone out there. It’s a cryin’
shame.”
Authorities are hoping that
deaths such as these remind
newcomers that the Klondike is a
dangerous place. A local committee
of volunteers has organized to create
warning signs to post along the main
trail. Anyone interested should
contact A.E. Rowland at (951)GET
2WRK.
Authorities believe Joseph Shaw (above)
probably died of exposure to cold