In this curriculum unit of three lessons, students read Frederick Douglass's 1845 slave narrative, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself. They analyze Douglass's vivid first-hand accounts of the lives of slaves and the behavior of slave owners to see how he successfully contrasts reality with romanticism and powerfully uses imagery, irony, connotative and denotative language, strong active verbs, repetition, and rhetorical appeals to persuade the reader of slavery's evil. Through guided reading and discussion, students have an opportunity to experience the power of persuasive language and how this power can be used to focus people's minds and attention on matters that are extremely important. Students also identify and discuss Douglass's acts of physical, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional courage on his journey towards freedom. Suggested assessments include written responses on Douglass's persuasive techniques. Links to specific chapters of Douglass's autobiography and other related primary source materials are available at the website. (author/sec)