Page 9 - Argumentative_Graphic_Organizer_Sabando_María_Writing_II

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Name: Sabando María Date: December/31 /2017 Period: September 2017-February 2018

Teacher Resource

Dick Gregory, the well-known comedian, has long been active in the civil rights movement. During the 1960’s Gregory was also

an outspoken critic of America’s involvement in Vietnam. In the following episode from his autobiography Nigger (1964), he
narrates the story of a childhood experience that taught him the meaning of shame. Through his use of authentic dialogue and
vivid details, he dramatically re-creates this experience for his readers.

Questions for Study and Discussion

1. What does Gregory mean by “shame”?

In the few years he had, he did not want anyone to mock or feel sorry for him and his family.

2. How do the first three paragraphs of the essay help to establish a context for the narrative that follows?

The first three paragraphs tell the first anecdotes in sequence of Gregory's childhood.

3. Why do you think Gregory narrates this episode from the first person's point of view? What would they

gain or lose if he instead wrote it in the third-person point of view?

When an essay is written in the first person, the reader assumes the main role in making the story his/her own.

4. Specific details can enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation of a narrative. Gregory’s
description of Helene Tucker’s manners or the plaid of his mackinaw, for example, makes his account

vivid and interesting. Cite several other specific details he gives and consider how the narrative would be
different without them.

 I'd rub my tennis sneakers on the back of my pants and wish my hair wasn't so nappy and the white folks' shirt
fit me better.

 Sometimes I'd follow her all the way home, and shovel the snow off her walk and try to make friends with her

mom and her aunts.
 Everyone had heard what the teacher had said, everyone had turned around and felt sorry for me.

 There was shame in running over to Mister Ben's at the end of the day and asking for his rotten peaches.
 Was shame in asking Mrs. Simmons for a spoonful of sugar, there was shame in running out to meet the relief

truck.

Level 2 - Argumentative Essay Graphic Organizer