“Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry” Rudolfo Anaya

What is the author's voice?

• The author's unique style and tone in writing

• The literal sound of the author's voice

• The author's choice of words

• The author's perspective on a topic

What are some elements that reveal an author's voice?

• Tone, style, and word choice

• Plot and setting

• Character names and dialogue

• Chapter titles and length

How can word choice reveal an author's voice?

• By showing the author's unique style and tone

• By providing factual information

• By listing historical events

• By using complex vocabulary

Read the excerpt from “Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry” by Rudolfo Anaya: My friend had concluded that if he took his language and culture out of his poetry, he stood a better chance of receiving a fellowship. He took out his native language, the poetic patois of our reality, the rich mixture of Spanish, English, pachuco and street talk which we know so well. In other words, he took the tortillas out of his poetry, which is to say he took the soul out of his poetry. Which best explains how Anaya’s word choice establishes his voice in the excerpt?

• Anaya compares “tortillas” to “the brain” of a Mexican-American writer, demonstrating the ability of these writers to combine Spanish and English in their writing.

• Anaya compares “tortillas” to “the soul” of a Mexican-American writer, emphasizing his belief that writers must be allowed to express their culture and heritage.

• Anaya compares “tortillas” to “the heart” of a Mexican-American writer to persuade people to read more literature by writers that come from mixed heritages and diverse cultures.

• Anaya compares “tortillas” to “the mind” of a Mexican-American writer to express his opinion that only those writers who exist outside of the mainstream are worthy of an audience.

How is Anaya's cultural identity reflected in his voice and purpose?

• Through his use of language and themes

• By ignoring cultural influences

• By focusing solely on universal themes

• Through his rejection of cultural identity

What is the purpose of rhetoric?

• To inform

• To persuade

• To entertain

• To confuse

Which rhetorical mode uses one's own experience, status, and expertise to persuade?

• Pathos

• Logos

• Ethos

• Kairos

What is the text structure that involves arranging events in the order they occurred?

• A) Description

• B) Chronological/Sequencing

• C) Compare and Contrast

• D) Cause and Effect

Which text structure provides several details of something to give the reader a mental picture?

• A) Description

• B) Problem-Solution

• C) Cause and Effect

• D) Compare and Contrast

Identify the text structure that tells about a problem and then gives one or more solutions.

• A) Cause and Effect

• B) Problem-Solution

• C) Chronological/Sequencing

• D) Description