Part 1: READ + ANNOTATE “Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood,” Sections 1 & 2
DIRECTIONS: While you read, annotate the text in order to examine how the author uses rhetoric. You also need to ANSWER the following questions:
1. What is an “aria”? Why do you think Rodriguez chose it for his title? Is it appropriate? Effective?
2. How do the first four paragraphs appeal to ethos?
3. Describe the tone of paragraph 5 where Rodriguez first raises the issue of bilingual education.
4. Why does Rodriguez emphasize the sound of language? Is this an appeal to logos, pathos, or ethos?
5. How would you describe Rodriguez’s attitude towards his parents? How does it change from one point to another? Identify specific passages to support your answer.
6. Where in the essay does Rodriguez present his most straightforward argument? Is it effective? Would it have been more effective if it had been placed nearer the beginning?
7. Rodriguez uses very little Spanish in this essay. Why does he choose to use it when he does?
8. Who do you think is the intended audience for this essay? Cite passages to support your viewpoint.
Part 2: Literary Devices Project
DIRECTIONS: You will be assigned two of the literary devices (from the handout) that you will need to become an expert on. You will need to be able to present this device to the class and share a visual “notecard” that you will put on the wall of our classroom. Please write (or print) large enough for people to read your description from their seats. (Please see below for a sample.) Use this site to help you: http://literarydevices.net
DIRECTIONS: While you read, annotate the text in order to examine how the author uses rhetoric. You also need to ANSWER the following questions:
1. What is an “aria”? Why do you think Rodriguez chose it for his title? Is it appropriate? Effective?
2. How do the first four paragraphs appeal to ethos?
3. Describe the tone of paragraph 5 where Rodriguez first raises the issue of bilingual education.
4. Why does Rodriguez emphasize the sound of language? Is this an appeal to logos, pathos, or ethos?
5. How would you describe Rodriguez’s attitude towards his parents? How does it change from one point to another? Identify specific passages to support your answer.
6. Where in the essay does Rodriguez present his most straightforward argument? Is it effective? Would it have been more effective if it had been placed nearer the beginning?
7. Rodriguez uses very little Spanish in this essay. Why does he choose to use it when he does?
8. Who do you think is the intended audience for this essay? Cite passages to support your viewpoint.
Part 2: Literary Devices Project
DIRECTIONS: You will be assigned two of the literary devices (from the handout) that you will need to become an expert on. You will need to be able to present this device to the class and share a visual “notecard” that you will put on the wall of our classroom. Please write (or print) large enough for people to read your description from their seats. (Please see below for a sample.) Use this site to help you: http://literarydevices.net