HOMS Research project—Thesis

1. Research-Related TEKS
• brainstorm, consult with others, decide upon
a topic, and formulate a major research
question to address the major research
topic.[20A]
• formulate a plan for engaging in research on a
complex, multi-faceted topic.[20B]

2. Figurative language we’ve studied in
HOMS
• Diction—wordchoice
• Simile—adirectcomparisonbetweentwounlikethings,usuallywith
thewordslikeoras.
• Metaphor—impliedcomparisonbetweentworelativelyunlike
things.Thecomparisonisnotannouncedbylikeoras.
• Personification—givesthequalitiesofapersontoananimal,an
object,oranidea.
• Tone—writer'sattitudetowardthematerialand/orreaders.
• Imagery—Descriptionsofpeopleorobjectsintermsofoursenses
• Paradox—astatementthatseemstocontradictitselfbutmakes
sensewithmorethought
• Analogy—comparisonofsimilaritiesoftwosituations

3. Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences
• Essential Question is the basis of
what statement?
• Thesis Statement
• Subsidiary Questions are the basis of
what sentences?
• Topic Sentences

4. Thesis Statement and Topic Sentences
• (Essential Question) How does
Sandra Cisneros use figurative
language to develop characters
and themes in The House On
Mango Street?

5. Formulating a Thesis Statement
• EssentialQuestion—basisofThesisStatement
– HowdoesSandraCisnerosusefigurativelanguagetodevelopcharacters
andthemesinTheHouseOnMangoStreet?
• SubsidiaryQuestions—basisofTopicSentences
– Diction—wordchoice
– Simile—adirectcomparisonbetweentwounlikethings,usuallywiththe
wordslikeoras.
– Metaphor—impliedcomparisonbetweentworelativelyunlikethings.The
comparisonisnotannouncedbylikeoras.
– Personification—givesthequalitiesofapersontoananimal,anobject,or
anidea.
– Tone—writer'sattitudetowardthematerialand/orreaders.
– Imagery—Descriptionsofpeopleorobjectsintermsofoursenses
– Paradox—astatementthatseemstocontradictitselfbutmakessensewith
morethought
– Analogy—comparisonofsimilaritiesoftwosituations

6. Example: Content Card
Personification / Character “Four Skinny Trees” 1
Example from Text: “Four skinny trees with skinny
necks and pointy elbows like mine.”
My comment: Esperanza identifies with the trees;
she sees herself in them. She and the trees share
similar physical characteristics. The trees are skinny
and angular; she is a skinny, gangly little girl.
1

7. Example: Content Card
PersonificationandDiction/Tone
&Theme
“FourSkinnyTrees” 1
ExamplefromText:“Theygrowupanddownandgrabtheearth
betweentheirhairytoesandbitetheskywithviolentteethandnever
quittheiranger.Thisishowtheykeep.”
Mycomment:Cisnerossetsanangrytoneherewithherwordchoice.
EsperanzafeelsangryaboutherlifesituationonMangoStreet;about
feelinglikeanoutsider;aboutthepressureshefeelstoconformto
traditionalculture.Shelongsforthestrengthandpowertolivebyself-
determinationratherthanculturaldetermination.It’sonlybynurturing
thisstronglyaggressivespiritthatshecan“keep”—whichistosay,
surviveandeventuallythrive.
1

8. Example: Content Card
Diction/Theme “FourSkinnyTrees” 1
ExamplefromText:“Theirstrengthissecret.Theysendferocious
rootsbeneaththeground.”
Mycomment:Cisnerosservesthethemeofself-determinationhere
byreferringto“secret”strength.Thetreesdrawtheirstrengthfrom
theirunseen,undergroundroots.Esperanzadrawsherstrengthfrom
the unseeninnerstrengthofherspirit—herinspirations,dreams
andpersonalwill.
1

9. Vignettes where you’ll find plenty of
material:
• My Name (p. 10)
• The Family of Little Feet (p. 39)
• Four Skinny Trees (p. 74)
• No Speak English (p. 76)
• Rafaela (p. 79)
• Sally (p. 81)
• Beautiful and Cruel (p. 88)
• A House of My Own (p. 108)
• Mango Says Goodbye Sometimes (p. 109)

10. Whatyou’re lookingforin yoursources
Figurative Language… that illustrates the development of…
Diction 1. Complex yet believable characters
Simile 2. A theme of “the outsider”
Metaphor 3. A theme of self-determination vs.
cultural determination
Personification
Tone
Imagery
Paradox
Analogy
How does Sandra Cisneros use figurative language to develop
characters and themes in The House On Mango Street?
ThemeHint:WhatdidEsperanzawantmorethananythinginherlife?