Subject: English and Language Arts

Details:

Literature
If the Expedition could have brought some good reading for pleasure during layovers, they might have carried pocket books by these authors of the time: (name some). After they returned, writers like Washington Irving were intrigued by their story. Irving’s Astoria was inspired in part by Lewis and Clark’s journey (Richard, were there others?)

Writing: Conventions
The Lewis and Clark journals provide a readily-apparent example of why of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph structure are so important. One observer notes that Clark never spelled the word Sioux the same way twice. Capitalized words appear for no apparent reason. Periods are frequently left out and sentences often run-on. Add in the differences in English language style, syntax and colloquialisms of the period and teachers at any grade have an ideal opportunity to emphasize why the basic rules of writing are so important.

Writing: Personal
We know several men were writing in journals, sometimes daily but at least frequently. Lewis and Clark themselves apparently set the example, but for the military members (particularly officers) the keeping of journals was part of the Army’s expectations. Personal feelings would often creep into the official journals. It was in letters sent before leaving St. Louis, from Fort Mandan and after their return where we learn more about the men’s feelings about their experience, their families back home and how they are changing as persons.

Writing: Descriptive
The journals of Lewis and Clark are famous for what they provide as descriptions of people, places, plants and animals–most never before seen by U.S. citizens of the time or scientists anywhere in the world. Lewis is typically considered the best descriptive writer and he took this responsibility seriously, often taking several pages to describe a new plant or creature he’d never seen before. He used scientific as well as colloquial language and often compared and contrasted a fruit, for example, to how it looked, tasted and smelled in relation to something he remembered back in the States.

Writing: Persuasive
Occasionally Lewis and others were required to write a letter to convince someone to do something or explain a particular decision or action or need. For example, Lewis wrote a short but convincing letter to Clark urging that he consider taking a leading role on the Expedition. At other times, Lewis had to write Jefferson explaining logistical delays or to a military office requesting more goods. It was Jefferson’s own famous "letter of instruction" (link) to Lewis that spelled out exactly what the Expedition was to accomplish.

Speech
Speechmaking was a regular routine for Lewis as the Expedition fulfilled Jefferson’s diplomatic mission and because the Corps itself needed to establish friendly terms with the tribes they encountered. The journals describe elaborate events not unlike the campaign trail today when candidates deliver the same "stump speech" (and when the staff must look interested and excited after hearing the same story again and again). Because of language differences, and time for translation, the role of nonverbal communication was probably as important as the oratory itself.

Penmanship
The distinctive cursive Lewis and Clark learned as young students included how to use quill (that had to be regularly sharpened with a penknife) and ink (mixed from a powder), tools the pencil and then the fountain pen and ballpoint replaced in our school desks 200 years later. On their Expedition, Lewis and Clark carried fine rag paper with sturdy binders (about 6 x 9" in size, resembling a steno pad). Until it was destroyed in a horse accident during the rough Bitteroot crossing, Lewis had a special writing desk made for the field. Each word they wrote probably required another dip of the pen into ink and despite rain and wind, and personal health problems, the journals they kept were remarkable for their consistent quality and readability.

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