1. “Names, Nombres” by Julia Alvarez
Vocabulary and Story Map
Power Point

2. (adv) – in a way that is contrary to what is expected or intended
Ironically
(adv) – in a way that is contrary to what is expected or intended
Ironically, although she had the most foreign-sounding name, she and I were the Americans in the family. pg. 39

3. (n) – a racial, national, or cultural heritage
ethnicity
(n) – a racial, national, or cultural heritage
Our first few years in the States, though, ethnicity was not yet “in”. pg. 40

4. (v) – to make known the presence or arrival of
Usher
(v) – to make known the presence or arrival of
Those were the blond, blue-eyed, bobby-sock years of junior high and high school before the 60’s ushered in peasant blouses hoop earrings, sarapes. pg. 40

5. Initial
(adj) - first
My initial desire to be known by my correct Dominican name faded. pg. 32

6. Merge (v) – to blend together
I just wanted to be Judy and merge with the Sallys and Janes in my class. pg
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7. (adv) – impossible to avoid or prevent
Inevitably
(adv) – impossible to avoid or prevent
But, inevitably, my accent and coloring gave me away. pg. 41

8. (v) – to make known or identify
Specify
(v) – to make known or identify
“From the Caribbean,” I answered vaguely, for if I specified, no one was
quite sure what continent our island was located on. pg. 41

9. (adj) – unusual or different
Exotic
(adj) – unusual or different
They were just being curious, I knew, but I burned with shame whenever they singled me out as a “foreigner,” a rare, exotic friend. pg. 41

10. (adj) – confused, disordered
Chaotic
(adj) – confused, disordered
I pronounced it slowly, a name as chaotic with sounds as a Middle Eastern bazaar or market day in a South American village. pg. 41

11. (adj) – difficult to understand; complicated
Convoluted
(adj) – difficult to understand; complicated
These relatives had such complicated names and there were so many of them,
and their relationship to myself were so convoluted. pg. 41

12. About the Author Julia Alvarez Born in 1950 in New York City
Moved to the Dominican Republic and lived there for 10 years
At age 10, she moved back to New York City
She writes stories and poems
Her writings are about her experiences and memories

13. Literary Terms to Know
Plot – sequence of related events that make up a story
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Resolution
Exposition

14. Literary Terms to Know
Characters – person, animal, or creature that takes part in the literary work.
Protagonist – main character
Antagonist – character that causes problems for protagonist

15. Personal Essay – a short form of nonfiction that expresses the author’s feelings and thoughts about one subject

16. Author’s purpose – why did the author write this?
To express an opinion
To persuade
To inform or to explain
To entertain