Literature how Kincaid Used Diction

The past two weeks we’ve been going over how Kincaid used diction, syntax, and detailed descriptions to create “Girl”. Think about how the author is using word choice, description, and form to create an effect/mood in the reader that helps us better understand the characters and situations.

Think about your own community. How are young adults taught, either directly or indirectly, about the unwritten rules of the community you grew up in that are not taught in the formal classroom? Write about a person in your life (mother, coach, teacher, pastor, barber, older sibling, commander, etc.) dictating the tasks and rules of your community to a young person of whatever gender you choose.

Imitate Kincaid and write a 500 word piece in that person’s voice.

Use the 2nd person point of view (“You”).

Try to imitate the way the person speaks: common phrases you heard them use, any exclamations or interjections, etc. Condense their teachings into a block that resembles Kincaid’s “Girl” (after all, the narrator of the story probably didn’t tell the girl all these things in one afternoon).

Think about what effect you want to have on the reader, and how you might try to get it through structure, syntax, and diction choice.

Use lots of details. Vague writing doesn’t help the reader get a sense of what you are trying to convey.