Exploring Cultural Identity through Language

In a paragraph, compare and contrast the way Anaya and Nye use voice (including word choice, tone, and text structure) and rhetorical appeals to support their purposes.

Both authors discuss cultural foods and use words in languages other than English.Both authors address the topic of heritage.Both authors use anecdotes.Both authors appeal to pathos.Anaya appeals to logos.Anaya has an earnest tone toward culture and an angry tone toward censorship, while Nye's tone is accepting of blended culture.

If we leave out our tortillas - and by that I mean the language, history, cultural values and themes of our literature - the very culture we're portraying will die. Publishing has often forced us to do just that. Trade publishers who control publishing in this country continue to have a very narrow view of the literature of this country. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry," Rudolfo Anaya Anaya uses the word "tortillas" as a symbol for Mexican American food Mexican American culture Mexican American literature.

Mexican American culture

Read the excerpt from "Speaking Arabic."At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel—so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head.Which best explains how Nye's text structure helps establish her voice in the excerpt? Nye relates a story about something she heard to emphasize the point she wants to make about heritage. Nye compares her experience to a stranger's experience to express her ideas about the importance of heritage. Nye lists food booths at a neighborhood fair in Texas to make a statement about diverse foods in America. Nye uses a cause-and-effect format to show how heritage can limit a person's cultural diversity.

NOT Nye compares her experience to a stranger's experience to express her ideas about the importance of heritage. NOT Nye lists food booths at a neighborhood fair in Texas to make a statement about diverse foods in America.

What effect do the words Oom-pah and Gorditas have on the passage? They emphasize cultural diversity. They represent Nye's heritage. They show Nye's favorite foods. They show how the food stands are all the same.

They emphasize cultural diversity.

Just two years ago, the editor of a major publishing firm asked me to submit a story for a middle school reader. Those readers have the power to shape how thousands of children think about Mexican Americans. The criteria were: "It can't have religion in it; it can't be mystical; it can't have Spanish in it." Everything that was in Bless Me, Ultima was rejected out of hand before the publisher would look at a manuscript. Needless to say, I did not submit a story. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya What is one text structure that Anaya uses to create voice in this passage?the reference to a middle school readerthe Spanish word Ultima in the story's titlean anecdote about a personal experience

an anecdote about a personal experience

Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry."I do not believe we should have to leave out the crucial elements of our language and culture to contribute to American literature, but, unfortunately, this is a conclusion I am forced to reach. I have been writing for a quarter century, and have been a published author for eighteen years. As a writer, I was part of the Chicano Movement which created a new literature in this country.Which type of rhetoric is used most in the excerpt to convince readers that Anaya's conclusion is accurate? an appeal based on emotion an appeal based on logic an appeal based on the author's character an appeal based on the author's feelings

an appeal based on the author's character

Just two years ago, the editor of a major publishing firm asked me to submit a story for a middle school reader. Those readers have the power to shape how thousands of children think about Mexican Americans. The criteria were: "It can't have religion in it; it can't be mystical; it can't have Spanish in it." Everything that was in Bless Me, Ultima was rejected out of hand before the publisher would look at a manuscript. Needless to say, I did not submit a story. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya The voice of this anecdote helps establish the idea that Anaya is pleased to influence middle school students by teaching them about Mexican Americans. disappointed because a publishing company will not accept what Anaya believes is a good Mexican American story. annoyed that the publishers rejected his story without bothering to read it.

disappointed because a publishing company will not accept what Anaya believes is a good Mexican American story.

Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry."For me, reading has always been a path toward liberation and fulfillment. To learn to read is to start down the road of liberation, a road which should be accessible to everyone. No one has the right to keep you from reading, and yet that is what is happening in many areas in this country today. There are those who think they know best what we should read. These censors are at work in all areas of our daily lives.To convince readers that censors have unjust motives, the author uses rhetoric to appeal mostly to logiccharactersethicsemotion.

emotion

Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry."In other cases, the censoring has been direct and brutal. On February 28, 1981 the morning newspaper carried a story about the burning of my novel, Bless Me, Ultima. The book was banned from high school classes in Bloomfield, New Mexico, and a school board member was quoted as saying: "We took the books out and personally saw that they were burned."Which best describes the rhetorical appeal used to illustrate the destructive nature of censorship? factual evidence is used to appeal to the reader's sense of logic a painful event is described to appeal to the reader's sympathy the author's novel is referenced to appeal to his credibility as a writer a strong opinion is presented to appeal to the reader's anger

factual evidence is used to appeal to the reader's sense of logic

Which ideas did you include in your response? Check all of the boxes that apply. Both authors discuss cultural foods and use words in languages other than English. Both authors address the topic of heritage. Both authors use anecdotes. Both authors appeal to pathos. Anaya appeals to logos. Anaya has an earnest tone toward culture and an angry tone toward censorship, while Nye's tone is accepting of blended culture.

select all

At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel - so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head. —"Speaking Arabic,"Naomi Shihab Nye From Never In a Hurry: Essays on People and Places, by Naomi Shihab Nye. Copyright ©1996 University of South Carolina Which element contributes to Nye's voice in this passage? foreign locations a lonely tone specific foods

specific foods

Obviously, my novel did not meet the criteria of the status quo. Using a technique censors often use, they zoomed in on one detail of the novel, the so-called bad words in Spanish, and they used that excuse. Had they read the novel they would have discovered that the novel is not about profanity. That was never the novel's goal. The novel was a reflection of my childhood, a view into the Nuevo Mexicano culture of a small town. I looked at values, I looked at folkways, I created heroic characters out of poor farmers. I wrote about old healing remedies used by the folk to cure physiological and psychological illness. I elevated what I found in my childhood, because that's the way I had experienced my childhood. Poverty and suffering did not overwhelm us; they made us stronger. My novel was my view of the human condition, and it reflected the Mexicanos of New Mexico because that was the community I knew. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya What overall tone does Anaya use and why? ✔ an earnest tone an angry tone an entertaining tone

✔ an earnest tone

If we leave out our tortillas - and by that I mean the language, history, cultural values and themes of our literature - the very culture we're portraying will die. Publishing has often forced us to do just that. Trade publishers who control publishing in this country continue to have a very narrow view of the literature of this country. At a time when multicultural diversity is challenging the literary canon, the major publishers still are slow to respond to the literary output of Chicano writers. After twenty-five years of contemporary Chicano writings, there are still only three or four Chicano writers who publish with the big trade publishers. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya The phrase "the very culture we're portraying will die" is an appeal to logos ✔ pathos ethos. The sentence "After twenty-five years of contemporary Chicano writings, there are still only three or four Chicano writers who publish with the big trade publishers" uses facts to appeal to ✔ logos pathos ethos.

✔ pathos ✔ logos

EXAM 90% Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry." In other cases, the censoring has been direct and brutal. On February 28, 1981 the morning newspaper carried a story about the burning of my novel, Bless Me, Ultima. The book was banned from high school classes in Bloomfield, New Mexico, and a school board member was quoted as saying: "We took the books out and personally saw that they were burned." Which best describes how Anaya effectively uses rhetorical appeal to convince readers that censorship is a tool of the powerful? Anaya uses words that lack emotional connotations to present a painful anecdote from his life. Anaya presents facts from a newspaper story about school board members burning his books. Anaya establishes his credibility as a published Chicano author by referring to his first novel. Anaya delivers a passionate argument against the ability of school boards to ban books.

Anaya presents facts from a newspaper story about school board members burning his books.

Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry."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 text structure establishes his voice in the excerpt? Anaya lists a series of facts about language to support his point of view. Anaya explains how to apply for a fellowship to support his point of view. Anaya compares his writing to a friend's writing to support his point of view. Anaya relates a story about a poet he knows to support his point of view.

Anaya relates a story about a poet he knows to support his point of view.

Read the excerpts from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry" and "Speaking Arabic."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.At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel—so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head.Which best states how the structures of the excerpts differ? Anaya structures his excerpt as an anecdote, while Nye structures her excerpt as a rhetorical appeal. Anaya structures his excerpt as an analysis, while Nye structures her excerpt as an observation. Anaya structures his excerpt as an observation, while Nye structures her excerpt as an analysis. Anaya structures his excerpt as a rhetorical appeal, while Nye structures her excerpt as an anecdote.

Anaya structures his excerpt as an analysis, while Nye structures her excerpt as an observation.

Read the excerpts from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry" and "Speaking Arabic."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.At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel—so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head.Which best states how the structure of each excerpt supports a different tone? Anaya structures his text as an anecdote, which gives it a humorous tone, while Nye structures her text as a counterclaim, which gives it a defensive tone. Anaya structures his text as an explanation, which gives it an authoritative tone, while Nye structures her text as an impression, which gives it a soothing tone. Anaya structures his text as a theory, which gives it an academic tone, while Nye structures her text as a list, which gives it an unemotional tone. Anaya structures his text as a news report, which gives it a neutral tone, while Nye structures her text as a critique, which gives it a judgmental tone.

Anaya structures his text as an explanation, which gives it an authoritative tone, while Nye structures her text as an impression, which gives it a soothing tone.

Read the excerpt from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry."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 tone establishes his voice in the excerpt? Anaya's tone is humorous, which reflects his desire to highlight the topic. Anaya's tone is easy-going, which reflects his lack of concern about the topic. Anaya's tone is passionate, which reflects his strong feelings about the topic. Anaya's tone is joyful, which reflects his determination to celebrate the topic.

Anaya's tone is passionate, which reflects his strong feelings about the topic.

Read the excerpts from "Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry" and "Speaking Arabic."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.At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel—so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head.Which best states how the structures of the excerpts are similar? Each presents factual evidence to appeal to the reader's logic. Each documents career credentials to appeal to the reader's ethics. Each discusses a friend to appeal to the reader's sense of community. Each relates an anecdote to appeal to the reader's emotions.

Each relates an anecdote to appeal to the reader's emotions.

If we leave out our tortillas - and by that I mean the language, history, cultural values and themes of our literature - the very culture we're portraying will die. Publishing has often forced us to do just that. Trade publishers who control publishing in this country continue to have a very narrow view of the literature of this country. At a time when multicultural diversity is challenging the literary canon, the major publishers still are slow to respond to the literary output of Chicano writers. After twenty-five years of contemporary Chicano writings, there are still only three or four Chicano writers who publish with the big trade publishers. —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya Why is the statistical fact presented in this passage an effective appeal to logos? It contrasts the vast number of years for which Chicano authors have been writing with the small number of authors who are accepted by big publishers. It provides a precise number of Chicano authors who have made an impact on large publishing houses. It suggests logical reasons for why Chicano writers have been writing for the past twenty-five years.

It contrasts the vast number of years for which Chicano authors have been writing with the small number of authors who are accepted by big publishers.

On February 28, 1981 the morning newspaper carried a story about the burning of my novel, Bless Me, Ultima. The book was banned from high school classes in Bloomfield, New Mexico, and a school board member was quoted as saying: "We took the books out and personally saw that they were burned." —"Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry,"Rudolfo Anaya What is the overall effect of this anecdote? It allows Anaya to show that the town had very little of interest going on in 1981. It helps Anaya establish the difference between schools in the past and schools today. It lets Anaya show that his book was seen as a threat, but it was also powerful. It shows the reasons the school board made their decision.

It lets Anaya show that his book was seen as a threat, but it was also powerful.

What is the effect of Anaya's tone and voice on the overall passage? It explains that offensive language is an important part of culture. It shows that his goal for writing is to preserve culture, not to offend people. It creates a tense scene between censors and cultural preservationists. It shows the importance of staying angry at people who don't understand your writing.

It shows that his goal for writing is to preserve culture, not to offend people.

What is Anaya claiming by choosing the word "tortillas"? Publishing companies do not appreciate Mexican American culture. Trade publishers force authors to do what the rest of the country wants them to do. Mexican American culture has to be part of Mexican American literature to remain alive.

Mexican American culture has to be part of Mexican American literature to remain alive.

Why can't I forget the earnest eyes of the man who said to me in Jordan, "Until you speak Arabic, you will not understand pain"? Ridiculous, I thought. He went on, something to do with an Arab carrying sorrow in the back of the skull that only language cracks. A few words couldn't do it. A general passive understanding wasn't enough. At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel - so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head. —"Speaking Arabic," Naomi Shihab Nye How does the anecdote, which appeals to pathos, effectively support Nye's purpose? The anecdote makes readers feel sorry for the man's lack of heritage, then reminds readers that the man has an equally valuable heritage. The anecdote makes readers want to enjoy the delicious ethnic food at the fair, then reminds them they have their own ethnic food. The anecdote makes readers empathize with the man from Jordan, in contrast to Nye, who seems unable to understand pain. The anecdote uses logical evidence, such as facts and statistics, to explain why heritage is important.

The anecdote makes readers feel sorry for the man's lack of heritage, then reminds readers that the man has an equally valuable heritage.

Why can't I forget the earnest eyes of the man who said to me in Jordan, "Until you speak Arabic, you will not understand pain"? Ridiculous, I thought. He went on, something to do with an Arab carrying sorrow in the back of the skull that only language cracks. A few words couldn't do it. A general passive understanding wasn't enough. At a neighborhood fair in Texas, somewhere between the German Oom-pah Sausage Stand and the Mexican Gorditas booth, I overheard a young man say to his friend, "I wish I had a heritage. Sometimes I feel — so lonely for one." And the tall American trees were dangling their thick branches right down over his head. —"Speaking Arabic," Naomi Shihab Nye What is Nye's purpose in her essay? to explain why she dislikes her heritage to show that everyone has a cultural heritage to illustrate the difference between heritages Which appeal does the anecdote about the young man use? logos patho sethos

What is Nye's purpose in her essay? ✔ to show that everyone has a cultural heritage Which appeal does the anecdote about the young man use? ✔ pathos