Transcript Thank You, M’am” by Langston Hughes

“Names, Nombres”
by Julia Alvarez
Vocabulary and Story Map
Power Point
Ironically
(adv) – in a way that is contrary to
what is expected or intended
Ironically, although she had the most foreignsounding name, she and I were the Americans
in the family. pg. 39
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ethnicity
(n) – a racial, national, or cultural
heritage
Our first few years in the States, though, ethnicity was not yet
“in”. pg. 40
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Usher
(v) – to make known the presence or
arrival of
Those were the blond, blue-eyed, bobby-sock years of junior
high and high school before the 60’s ushered in peasant
blouses hoop earrings, sarapes. pg. 40
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Initial
(adj) - first
My initial desire to be known by my correct Dominican
name faded. pg. 32
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Merge
(v) – to blend together
I just wanted to be Judy and merge
with the Sallys and Janes in my
class. pg. 40 - 41
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Inevitably
(adv) – impossible to avoid or prevent
But, inevitably, my accent and
coloring gave me away. pg. 41
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Specify
(v) – to make known or identify
“From the Caribbean,” I answered vaguely, for if I specified, no one was
quite sure what continent our island was located on. pg. 41
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Exotic
(adj) – unusual or different
They were just being
curious, I knew, but I
burned with shame
whenever they singled me
out as a “foreigner,” a rare,
exotic friend. pg. 41
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Chaotic
(adj) – confused, disordered
I pronounced it slowly, a name as
chaotic with sounds as a Middle
Eastern bazaar or market day in a
South American village. pg. 41
Convoluted
(adj) – difficult to understand;
complicated
These relatives had such
complicated names and there
were so many of them,
and their relationship to myself
were so convoluted. pg. 41
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About the Author
• Julia Alvarez
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Born in 1950 in New York City
Moved to the Dominican Republic and lived there for 10 years
At age 10, she moved back to New York City
She writes stories and poems
Her writings are about her experiences and memories
http://www.eht.k12.nj.us
Literary Terms to Know
Plot – sequence of related events that make up a
story
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Exposition
Resolution
Literary Terms to Know
• Characters – person, animal, or creature that
takes part in the literary work.
– Protagonist – main character
– Antagonist – character that causes problems for
protagonist
Personal Essay – a short form of nonfiction that
expresses the author’s feelings and thoughts about one
subject
Author’s purpose – why did the author
write this?
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To express an opinion
To persuade
To inform or to explain
To entertain