Purpose and Format in "The Leader in the Mirror" – Flashcards

To effectively compare and contrast two texts written in different genres, a reader must

Read the excerpt from a letter. Dear Ann, The funniest thing happened during my ski lesson! I tried a new ski run and I was doing very well. The sun was shining and the snow was fresh. My instructor encouraged me to bring my skis closer together so I could gain a little speed. I don't know exactly what happened next, but suddenly my skis had criss-crossed and I was skiing backward! What is the author's purpose?

Read Pat Mora's poem quoted in "The Leader in the Mirror." Immigrants wrap their babies in the American flag, feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie, name them Bill and Daisy, buy them blonde dolls that blink blue eyes or a football and tiny cleats before the baby can even walk, speak to them in thick English Now read the excerpt from Mora's essay "The Leader in the Mirror." My own father was once a paper boy for the newspaper hosting the banquet. I might not have known that fact, nor his long history of hard work, had I not been listening to him with my tape recorder a few years ago. I did not want the students to wait as long as I had to begin preserving the rich inheritance of their family voices. The strength of their heritage would give them the courage to face the future. How are the two passages different?

Read the excerpt from a speech. I hope everyone in attendance tonight will consider making a donation to the City Park Fund. This neighborhood treasure provides a safe place for children to play. It is a gathering place for summer concerts and community sporting events. City Park makes our town unique and special. What is the author's purpose?

Read Pat Mora's poem quoted in "The Leader in the Mirror." Immigrants wrap their babies in the American flag, feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie, name them Bill and Daisy, buy them blonde dolls that blink blue eyes or a football and tiny cleats before the baby can even walk, speak to them in thick English hallo, babee, hallo, whisper in Spanish or Polish when the baby sleeps, whisper in a dark parent bed, that dark parent fear, "Will they like our boy, our girl, our fine american boy, our fine american girl?" Now read the excerpt from Mora's essay "The Leader in the Mirror." When I was growing up on the U.S. side of that border, the society around me tried in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to convince me that my Mexican heritage was inferior to that of Anglo-Americans. I hope that today's educators on the border and throughout this nation are now committed to multiculturalism, to motivating the next generation to draw on their heritage as a resource for learning. The U.S. has been described as the first international country: Our varied cultures are our common wealth. How are the two passages similar?

Read the excerpt from a letter. Parkour, also known as free running, is becoming a popular sport. The object of parkour is to navigate obstacles using fluid, efficient movement. Athletes run through urban areas using gymnastic-type leaps and jumps to move over and around walls, ledges, and other barricades. The sport's name originates from parcours du combattant, an obstacle course used to train soldiers in the French army. What is the author's purpose?

A is a particular form or manner of expressing ideas.

Which genre would most likely be used to educate a large group of people?

An author's purpose is his or her for writing.

Read the excerpt from Pat Mora's essay "The Leader in the Mirror." We will continue to squander our talent if our leaders—in politics, science, business, education and the arts—do not reflect our grand variety. I urged the students (and all of us) to ponder the strength of the mountains around us, to rise to the challenges. What is the author's purpose in this excerpt?