English 9 - Semester 2 Study Guide - Brennan - May 2026

Extraneous

Something extra or unnecessary to the matter at hand

Satire

Genre of literature that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to highlight/expose something (a problem) about the world

Modest

Simple, humble, shy, moderate —> decent, proper

Vignette

a short piece of descriptive writing that focuses on a single moment, memory, or idea (rather than a full plot)

Theme

a central, underlying message or idea —> unifying concept

Amalgam

a mixture of different ideas, cultures, or things

Symbol

a mark, sign, or object —> often standing for something abstract, representative of something

Sensory language

use of descriptive words to bring details to life, using the five senses to create impactful imagery

Figurative language

use of words or phrases that is different from their dictionary definitions, to explore a deeper meaning

Context clues

hints/info. found in surroundings that help understanding unfamiliar concepts or words

Anemic

lacking vitality; listless and weak

Spartan

Courageous in the face of pain, danger, or adversity

Inherited

to receive from an ancestor

Canteen

a snack bar or small cafeteria

Thesis statement

claim and preview of three reasons

Speaker (the rhetorical triangle)

Credibility, etc

Influences how the audience perceives the information/message

Audience (the rhetorical triangle)

Knowing the audience allows for tailoring to their values, helps shape the message and affect the speaker

Message (rhetorical triangle)

Structure and presentation shapes its impact—the audience is going to determine how it needs to be structured to have its intended impact, but the speaker determines that

The Rhetorical Triangle

Concept that enhances/improves communication in writing in speaking, w/ the goal of better understanding and engagement (in a balanced way)

in-text citation

a reference to show the source of the info., often w/ an author’s last name and page number

aligns/works together w/ works cited (which has the full information of where to find the source)

Works Cited

a list at the end of a paper that provides a writer’s sources (where their evidence came from)

Paraphrase

Restating information in one’s own words

Plagiarism

Using someone else’s words or ideas w/o giving them credit and passing them off as your own

Hook

an opening sentence that draws the reader’s attention, hooking them in

Topic: Family

Theme: Different family dynamics shape individuals differently as they grow up.

Topic: Environment

Theme: Environment shapes people’s perspectives

Topic: Culture

Theme: A person’s cultural traditions and background influence them as they experience life and the world.

Esperanza

• Personality: thoughtful, observant, dreams of a better future

• Attitude: often unsatisfied w/ her life, hopeful but critical

• Family: Loving but struggles financially

Nenny

• Personality: childlike, innocent, immature

• Attitude: doesn’t fully understand the world yet

• Family: Esperanza’s younger sister

• Shows Esperanza what she used to be like, makes Esperanza feel more grown-up and sometimes burdened

Sally

• Personality: flirty, attractive, rebellious, insecure

• Attitude: seeks attention, wants escape from home

• Family: Abusive, strict father

• Exposes Esperanza to more grown-up situations (too early)

• Her choices (marriage to escape) show Esperanza what she doesn’t want

Ruthie

• Personality: childlike, dreamy, not fully independent

• Attitude: lives in her own world

• Family: Lives w/ her mother (but says she’s just visiting- yet never leaves to go home), says she’s married & has a nice house out of the city

• Represents lost potential & what happens when someone never grows up

“The Family of Little Feet”

High Heels—Lucy, Rachel, & Esperanza trying them on, growing up too soon, beauty & gender roles (lasting impact on all 3 of them)

Sally - abusive home life

reveals normalized abuse, shapes Esperanza’s understanding of relationships, shows marriage as escape

Angel falling

Had an impact on the people around Esperanza, even if she didn’t completely understand what happened—part of a huge family, therefore impact on the neighborhood

Esperanza’s dad crying when her grandfather died

Shows Esperanza strong people being vulnerable, she had never seen her dad cry before

Louie’s other cousin getting arrested

Unexpected, whole group of them watched him get arrested for car theft, the people around her’s reactions —> lasting impact

Works Cited

• Works Cited title is centered & capitalized

• Hanging indents

• Entries are in alphabetical order