DICTION QUIZ NAME: PERIOD:
Diction: circle the letter of the writing that has better diction, and use the space to explain why.
“Speaking with Hands” by Luis Rodriguez
1. A. Americans live comfortable lives and can afford luxuries.
B. Americans can live with two cars in the garage and swimming pools in the backyard.
Explain:______
2. In the first stanza, the author states, “the owners were often thieves in white coats/who talked to you like animals.”
What does the poet’s diction imply about these owners?
a. They liked to dress nice. c. They sell animals at the store
b. They felt superior to the customers d. They have other jobs
3. In the first stanza, the author states, “who knew you had no options/ who knew Watts was the landfill of the city.” What does the poet’s diction imply about the place?
a. They lived by a landfill
b. They lived in a rough part of town and an area that people looked down on, and the people who lived there were treated unfairly.
c. They wanted to leave but couldn’t.
d. It wasn’t a bad place to be.
4. In the 2nd stanza, the poet talks about Mama, and chose the words, “In her broken English, speaking with her hands.” What does this diction imply about Mama?
- Mama uses her hands, and has broken items.
- Mama’s first language was not English, but she speaks passionately to convey her message.
- She only speaks English when she wants to.
- She uses sign language to communicate.
5. In the third stanza, the poet states, “Mama became a woman /swept by sobering madness” What does the poet’s diction imply about Mama?
a. She had to stand-up for herself because of an incident that made her realize the realities of her life.
b. She had to become sober and it made her mad?
c. She was struggling to grow up and started crying.
d. She is always mad because she is a single mom.
6. Choose one of the lines that made you really visualize the scene. What words did the author use to create that scene and make it more visual? What is the author implying with those words?
7. What is this poem about?
8. What is the author trying to say in this poem? What is the message or what is the point?