1. A Personal Essay By Julia Alvarez
Names/Nombres
A Personal Essay
By Julia Alvarez

2. Pre-write
What’s in name? How did you get your name? Do you have a nickname? How did you get your nickname?
Please respond below:

3. Pre-write
Based on the title, what predictions can you make about the short story we are about to read? Please respond in the space below:

4. Connection
Think about a time someone new joined your class. How did the newcomer try to fit in?
If you were in a situation where you were a newcomer, how might you fit in?
Please respond in at least 5-10 complete sentences.

5. Background
In ______________________________ tradition, a child normally has two last names—the father’s family name and the mother’s maiden name. Often a child’s full name can include ____________________ generations of family names.
Although Julia Alvarez was born in New York City, she spent 10 years of her childhood in the _______________________, a small island in the __________________________.
Names/Nombres is a ____________________________, a short form of nonfiction that expresses the author’s thoughts and feelings about one subject. Often personal essays include anecdotes in which authors use elements of _________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.

6. Characters
Record any notes or character traits you may notice as you’re reading the short story. This information may help answer future questions and help you keep track of who’s who!
Julia
Ana

7. Vocab Terms to Define Ironically Chaotic Ethnicity Convoluted
Usher Exotic
Initial Specify
Merge Inevitably