Leveled Readings / Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Men (1872)
Leveled reading · key passage
Frederick Douglass: Self-Made Men (1872)
Frederick Douglass, “Self-Made Men” (1872)
These are adaptations, not the original. The original wording is always shown first. Each adapted version restates the same passage at about a grade 4, grade 7, or grade 10 reading level without adding or removing ideas. Quote the original in student writing.
Original wording
“It is not luck, nor is it great mental endowments, but it is well directed, honest toil.”
Adapted · about grade 4
Success does not come from luck or from being very smart. It comes from honest hard work.
Adapted · about grade 7
Success is not luck or great natural talent; it is well-directed, honest work.
Adapted · about grade 10
It is neither luck nor great mental gifts, but well-directed, honest toil.