Question

Write a paragraph explaining how word choice strengthens Douglass’s personal narrative. Include specific examples from the text in your response.

Answer 1

Frederick Douglass carefully chooses his words in his personal narrative. He uses strong verbs and precise adjectives so that readers can imagine exactly how events took place and how they were described. For example, he uses contrasting adjectives to describe Mrs. Auld as kind when Douglass arrived in Baltimore and as harsh after he had been there some time. Douglass contrasts what she was like after the influence of slavery. Douglass also uses words with strong connotations. For example, he uses the word rush to describe how Mrs. Auld moves toward him when she catches him reading. Because rushing suggests her moving angrily, the reader understands that Mrs. Auld is upset with Douglass and maybe even fearful of him learning to read. Both of these examples show that Douglass chooses his words carefully.

Answer 2

It adds extreme emotion, feeling, or even a connection to the word/sentence/paragraph. Gives me more of an understanding on how exaggerated it is. Just like using the word "rush" would be a heavier exaggeration of hurrying up.