Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Who is Bill Bryson? What is his background, and what other works has he written? How does his unique style contribute to the field of travel literature?

Teaching Suggestion: Bryson is one of the most famous travelogue writers, notable for his humor and critiques of the places he visits. Discussing the use of humor in his books and why they are so popular may be beneficial. You may also wish to discuss Bryson’s books’ impact on the travelogue genre.

• This author page about Bryson from Barnes and Noble lists some of his books and discusses his popularity.
• This article from Scientific American describes Bryson’s background and contributions to the scientific community.

2. What is the Appalachian Trail (AT)? Where is it located? What is its length? What are some characteristics of the trail?

Teaching Suggestion: Some students might have background knowledge about the Appalachian Trail, especially those who enjoy hiking or live in the area. Depending on the knowledge level of your class, this could be a research activity where students find the path of the trail and look at the environments of the states through which it passes.