Name:
Date:
Period:
Analyzing Language & Style
Read the extract below from “Red Clowns” & then spend time annotating for
diction and detail, then answer the question:
How does Cisneros illustrate Esperanza’s emotional state through her
use of style & language?
*Try to find at least 4 different techniques.
“
Why did you leave me all alone? I waited my
whole life.
You're a liar. They all lied. All the books
and magazines, everything that told it wrong. Only
his dirty fingernails against my skin, only his sour
smell again.
The moon that watched.
The tilt-a-
whirl. The red clowns laughing their thick-tongue
laugh.
Then the colors began to whirl. Sky tipped.
Their high black gym shoes ran. Sally, you lied, you
lied. He wouldn't let me go. He said I love you, I love
you, Spanish girl.
”
Now, answer the above question in a
formal written paragraph.
You should:
●
Make a distinct
claim
answering the question.
(“Cisneros uses diction and detail to…”)
●
Explain your claim with
embedded
direct
evidence
from the text
