2. “What’s in a name? A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
William Shakespeare
from Romeo and Juliet

3. But would it really?

5. Why do names matter?

6. “My Name” an excerpt from

7. The House on Mango Street
Coming of age novel by a Mexican-American author
Each chapter is a short poem-like story
Young Latina girl named Esperanza Cordero
She lives in a poor immigrant neighborhood in Chicago
She longs for a better life

8. While we read … Pay attention to the following questions
Why is Esperanza’s name important to her?
Does she like her name or dislike her name, or both? How do you know?
Make sure you are marking the passage and could point us to specific lines to defend your opinion

9. My Name (first paragraph)
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.
What types of figurative language are being used in this paragraph? We will come back to this question 

10. My Name (paragraph 2-4)
It was my great-grandmother’s name and now it is mine. She was a horse woman too, born like me in the Chinese year of the horse — which is supposed to be bad luck if you’re born female — but I think this is a Chinese lie because the Chinese, like the Mexicans, don’t like their women strong.
My great-grandmother. I would’ve liked to have known her, a wild horse of a woman, so wild she wouldn’t marry. Until my great-grandfather threw a sack over her head and carried her off. Just like that, as if she were a fancy chandelier. That’s the way he did it.
And the story goes she never forgave him. She looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow. I wonder if she made the best with what she got or was she sorry because she couldn’t be all the things she wanted to be. Esperanza. I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place by the window.

11. My Name (paragraph 5-6)
At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver, not quite as thick as sister's name Magdalena--which is uglier than mine. Magdalena who at least- -can come home and become Nenny. But I am always Esperanza.
I would like to baptize myself under a new name, a name more like the real me, the one nobody sees. Esperanza as Lisandra or Maritza or Zeze the X. Yes. Something like Zeze the X will do.

12. So far, we have discussed WHAT Sandra Cisneros (the author) is saying BUT HOW she is saying it

13. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”
One of the ways that Sandra Cisneros creates such descriptive imagery is through simile and metaphor.
She uses this type of imagery repeatedly throughout the text.

14. Simile and Metaphor:
Simile - where two unlike objects or ideas are compared using “like” or “as” in the phrase.
Metaphor - where an object is directly said to be something that it only similar to.

15. The river is a satin ribbon through the frozen grass.
Metaphor
The river is a satin ribbon through the frozen grass.

16. The sun shone like a golden thread.
Simile
The sun shone like a golden thread.

17. The lake is a glittering mirror of beauty.
Metaphor
The lake is a glittering mirror of beauty.

18. The leaves are as thick as
a winter blanket
covering the ground.
Simile

19. The clouds are white wisps of soft fabric.
Metaphor
The clouds are white wisps of soft fabric.

20. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

21. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

22. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

23. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

24. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

25. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver, not quite as thick as sister's name Magdalena--which is uglier than mine.

26. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver, not quite as thick as sister's name Magdalena--which is uglier than mine.

27. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver, not quite as thick as sister's name Magdalena--which is uglier than mine.

28. Simile and Metaphor in “My Name”:
At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver, not quite as thick as sister's name Magdalena--which is uglier than mine.

29. Now you are going to be describing YOUR NAME

30. Describing Your Own Name:
First, you will think about the emotions that you connect to your name.
How does your name make you feel?
What comes to mind when you hear your name?
Then, you will connect those emotions with detailed images that help to describe your name in an unusual way.

31. Ms. Reffel’s Example:
Peace Pride Comfort

33. Ms. Reffel’s Example: Peace Pride Comfort
The gentle sound of rain outside my window
The warm smell of fresh bread baking in the oven

34. Blue = REQUIRED
Complete this part now in class by writing a complete description in each box
Green = OPTIONAL
Complete AT HOME using a computer (or phone) if you have access to one

35. How to move from brainstorming to drafting
We are still practicing the steps in the writing process
It is ALWAYS hard to move from the brainstorming step to actually drafting and putting ideas down on paper in a rough draft
To help with this = We will practice writing images from your brainstorming.

36. 4-Part Image Practice!
Please take out a blank sheet of notebook paper.
Write 4-Part Image Practice at the top (with your name/date/period)
Fold the paper in half. Then fold in half again.
Unfold and trace the lines
You should have divided your paper into 4 equal parts

37. Your Name My name is _____________ , ________ and __________. 1. 2. 3.
Choose your three favorite ideas from your brainstorm. 1. 2. 3.
My name is as __________ as ________________ .
Three Details: -
My name is _____________ , ________ and __________.
Three Details: -
My name is __________ and __________, like ________.
(metaphor)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(simile)
(simile)

38. Examples: My name is a mountain sunset, quiet and calming.
My name is as unusual and unexpected as a small desert cactus in a sea of sand.
My name strong and ready to pounce, like a powerful hunting tiger.

39. Your Name My name is _____________ , ________ and __________. 1. 2. 3.
Choose your three favorite ideas from your brainstorm. 1. 2. 3.
My name is as __________ as ________________ .
Three Details: -
My name is _____________ , ________ and __________.
Three Details: -
My name is __________ and __________, like ________.
(metaphor)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(description)
(simile)
(simile)

41. Rough Draft:
Review your brainstorm and practice images before you begin
Write a complete description of your name:
Include detailed imagery (including simile and metaphor)
Include the most interesting and relevant information from your research (blended into your imagery)
At least fifteen detailed sentences
Be sure to include…
- A complete introduction sentence introducing your name/main idea
- Complete sentences giving details about your name
- A concluding sentence that wraps up your piece

42. Growing with Me
My name was my grandmother’s before mine. She shared it with me, and now she has left me to carry it alone. My name is a fragile and doft, like the petals of a fresh flower. It grows with me as I grow. It is beautiful.
My name calms me like the soft chords played on an old piano. It is the cosy snugness of my favorite fleece blanket as I listen to the gentle rain outside. My name is feeling safe inside when the rain turns stormy. When the sky clears, my name is the smooth, clear blue of morning. My name is peace.
It is a familiar smell. My name is the warm smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. The crust is crispy. The inside is soft and delicious with apple butter. It is the crisp air of early Autumn. Inside my name are all the colors of the changing leaves. My name is a sea of yellow, rust, red and burnt orange. And, when those leaves fall, my name is the new buds of spring. It grows as I grow. It is beautiful.

43. Writing Revision:
Read your piece again slowly to review what you wrote
Mark your changes in a DIFFERENT COLOR
Think about each of the following:
Add another specific detail
Re-write and improve a sentences or phrases
Remove a phrase or sentence that does not belong
Change the order of a sentence or phrase
Add at least one strong vocabulary word
Add another creative image
Add paragraphs when you change main ideas
Improve your introduction sentence
Improve your concluding sentence
Add or improve the title
Check all spelling and grammar
Re-read your piece a final time for other improvements

44. Writing Revision:

45. Growing with Me
My name was my grandmother’s before mine. She shared it with me, and now she has left me to carry it alone. My name is a fragile and doft, like the petals of a fresh flower. It grows with me as I grow. It is beautiful.
My name calms me like the soft chords played on an old piano. It is the cosy snugness of my favorite fleece blanket as I listen to the gentle rain outside. My name is feeling safe inside when the rain turns stormy. When the sky clears, my name is the smooth, clear blue of morning. My name is peace.
It is a familiar smell. My name is the warm smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. The crust is crispy. The inside is soft and delicious with apple butter. It is the crisp air of early Autumn. Inside my name are all the colors of the changing leaves. My name is a sea of yellow, rust, red and burnt orange. And, when those leaves fall, my name is the new buds of spring. It grows as I grow. It is beautiful.

46. Growing with Me
My name was my grandmother’s before mine. She shared it with me, and now she has left me to carry it alone. My name is fragile and soft, like the petals of a fresh flower. It grows with me as I grow. It is beautiful.
My name calms me like the soft chords played on an old piano. It is the cosy snugness of my favorite fleece blanket as I listen to the gentle rain outside. My name is feeling safe inside when the rain turns stormy. When the sky clears, my name is the smooth, clear blue of morning. My name is peace.
It is a familiar smell. My name is the warm smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. The crust is crispy. The inside is soft and delicious with apple butter. It is the crisp air of early Autumn. Inside my name are all the colors of the changing leaves. My name is a sea of yellow, rust, red and burnt orange. And, when those leaves fall, my name is the new buds of spring. It grows as I grow. It is beautiful.

47. Final Draft:
Re-write your paragraph carefully on your final draft paper.
Add a title to your final draft.
Be Creative!
Make it visual
You may write in an interesting way or find a visual way to present your piece.

48. Final Draft of Your Name Piece
Your Title
Images and Designs that are connected to your writing.
Final Draft of Your Name Piece

49. Enhancing Your Final Draft:
Make your title visually interesting.
Use ALL the space on the page. Don’t leave any blank space.
Fill the frame with many different images and words (drawn or cut out) that relate to the images in your writing piece.
Use a variety of images (don’t just repeat the same ones)
Use appropriate colors
Add designs that complement your writing

53. What You TURN IN: Final Draft (with visuals) Yellow Planning Sheet
Front: Brainstorming
Back: Complete Rough Draft
Four-Part Image Practice

54. Name Research information …

55. Researching Your Name:
Websites allowed for your research.
You may NOT use any other websites or use the computers for any other purpose.

56. Researching Your Name:
Suzanne Reffel
Suzanne means “Lily of the valley”
Origin: Hebrew
Suzanne is a name that comes from the Biblical figure Susannah
My last name is German. I know that my grandfather’s parents were of German descent. They immigrated to the U.S. when my grandfather was young.

57. Describe and Research Your Name:
Continue creating images to describe your name that connect with the emotions you identified.
Make sure images are complete and detailed
Investigate the history of both your first/last names.
Meaning
Cultural connection (where the name come from)
Historical connections (what can you discover about others with the same name?)

58. Describe and Research Your Name:
Complete your image chart with your three best ideas from your brainstorm
Make sure images are complete and detailed
Investigate the history of both your first/last names.
Meaning
Cultural connection (where the name come from)
Historical connections (what can you discover about others with the same name?)