1. Million Man March By Maya Angelou Diction

2. Repetition ● It uses repeated words of past tense to show that the horrific events were in the past and they are now moving forward and putting their struggles behind them (stanza 5) ● The use of repetition creates a chanting effect through diction by repeating “i say clap hands.” this shows union amongst people and that they are in it together. (stanza 7)

3. Connotations ● The connotations in the words sharpened toughened shows strength, the deliberate use3 of these words how us that they are gaining from their past experiences of oppression and they are thinking positively and optimistically about the future. (stanza 6)

4. Mood / tone ● The choice of words effects the mood and tone of the poem for example in stanza 8 the word “impostering” is used in the sentence “stop impostering our own history” this is saying that the black people need to stop dwelling and morning about the past and instead focus on the present. They need to do this in order to move forward.

5. Arrangement ● The way the poem is structured at the end of the poem creates an uplifting effect. By having the words “clap hands” at the beginning of every other line, allows the reader to join in and be part of the movement. Having the phrase “and still we rise” in a separate line, adds emphasis to the fact that they are rising up together. (stanza 8)

6. Pronouns ● Throughout the poem personal pronouns are used to connect with the reader on a personal level. It has the effect of making them feel like they are being spoken to directly. This draws the reader in and allows them to feel empathetic towards the people who were part of the Million Man March.

7. Theme and Ideas ● The use of diction has been used throughout the poem in arrangement, connotations, pronouns, repetition and mood/tone. The combined use of these all contribute to making the theme and ideas visible in the poem. This is the idea of the black people rising up together for equality and overcoming (the theme) oppression.