Diction and Imagery that Convey Voice Opening “dry September of the dirt roads” “arid, sterile dust” “brown, crumbly dust of late summer” “as I recall that devastating moment when I was suddenly more woman child, years ago in Miss Lottie’s yard.” First encounter with Miss Lottie “we children hated those marigolds. They interfered with the perfect ugliness of the place.” Overheard conversation “Where did I fit into this crazy picture?” “But the room was too crowded to allow me to sleep.” Final act of destruction “...whatever was of love and beauty and joy that had not been squeezed out by life, had been there in the marigolds.” “I leaped furiously into the mounds of marigolds and pulled madly, trampling and pulling and destroying the yellow blooms.” Closing “Of course I could not express the things that I knew about Miss Lottie as I stood there awkward and ashamed.” “In that humiliating moment I had looked beyond myself and into the depths of another person. This was the beginning of compassion, and one cannot have both compassion and innocence.”

Writing Prompt Describe the voice of (Lizabeth) the narrator. Then explain how the diction and imagery create this voice. You might also mention other literary elements, such as juxtaposition, that contribute to the narrator’s voice or point of view. Be sure to: Begin with a clear thesis for your position. Include direct quotations to support your claim, and punctuate them correctly. Include transitions and a concluding statement.

Sample Response The narrator, Lizabeth, has chosen to retell a story as an adult reflecting on a significant incident from her childhood. Her voice is that of a reflective, thoughtful adult, but she tells the story with the vivid detail of a child who experienced it. The narrator sets the tone by saying she is recalling “that devastating moment when I was suddenly more woman than child.” Because Lizabeth uses words such as “poignant” and “devastating” to describe her memory, the reader knows the incident was significant and negative. After the child, Lizabeth, “leap[s] furiously into the mounds of marigolds and pull[s] madly, trampling and pulling and destroying the yellow blooms,” the adult realizes she has also destroyed “whatever was love and beauty and joy” for Miss Lottie and herself. The imagery and diction convey the angry, bewildered child whose adult self is, in an act of reflection, trying to understand herself.