Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________ Subject: 9/10 Literature and Composition
Reading Guide and Discussion Questions
“The Jacket” by Gary Soto
As you read, annotate according to your Annotation Instructions. Additionally, underline examples of the
following types of figurative language and write the appropriate code (in parentheses) next to where you
underlined it in the story:
Type of Figurative Language
Imagery/Sensory Details/Descriptive Language (I)
What Is It?
Hyperbole (H)
Simile (S)
Metaphor (M)
Personification (P)
Onomatopoeia (O)
Write your favorite example of each type of figurative language in the “Evidence” column below. Then, in the
“Commentary” column, explain your reaction to it. For example, you may explain that it paints a picture in your
mind or that it puts part of the story in relation to something you understand.
Figurative
Evidence
Language
Imagery/Sensory
Details/Descriptive
Language
Hyperbole
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Commentary
Onomatopoeia
Correct the grammar or spelling in the sentences below by choosing the best multiple choice answer to replace
the underlined section. The select sentences are in bold in the story with the corresponding question number in
front of them.
1. I remember the green coat that I wore in fifth and sixth grade when you either danced like a champ or
pressed yourself against a greasy wall, bitter as a penny toward the happy couples.
a. you wore in fifth and sixth grade
b. I wear in fifth and sixth grade
c. I wore in fifth and sixth grades
d. NO CHANGE
2. I described something like bikers wear: black leather and silver studs with enough belts to hold down a
small town.
a. ;
b. .
c. –
d. NO CHANGE
3. He jumped at me, and missed.
a. me and missed
b. me; and missed
c. me. And missed
d. NO CHANGE
4. My best friend, Steve Negrete, eat an apple while looking at me, and the girls turned away to whisper
on the monkey bars.
a. eating an apple
b. ate an apple
c. eats an apple
d. NO CHANGE
5. I received Cs on quizzes, and forgot the state capitols and the rivers of South America, our friendly
neighbor.
a. forgetting the state capitols
b. forgot the state capitals
c. forgetting the state capitals
d. NO CHANGE
6. That winter the elbows began to crack and whole chunks of green began to fell off.
a. green begin to fell off
b. green began to falls off
c. green began to fall off
d. NO CHANGE
7. When it became so spotted that my brother began to call me, “camouflage,” I flung it over the fence
into the alley.
a. me “camouflage,” I
b. me, “camouflage” I
c. me “camouflage” I
d. NO CHANGE
Discussion Questions: Write your answers to these questions (all parts). There is NO RIGHT ANSWER.
8. How does Gary Soto use figurative language to help you see and feel his embarrassment? Use at least 2 specific
examples to explain how he makes you see or feel his embarrassment.
9. Do you think Soto uses too many, not enough, or just the right amount of figurative language? Support your
opinion with specific examples.
10. How can you follow Gary Soto’s example to enrich your writing with figurative language? Which types of
figurative language do you see yourself using? Why those and not others?
11. Listen to “Parents Just Don’t Understand” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince. Compare and contrast it to “The
Jacket.” How does the Fresh Prince convey a similar embarrassment? Does the song use any figurative language? If
so, what types? Does it use any other literary devices (for example, alliteration)? Provide examples.
12. Share a time your “parents just didn’t understand” or when you were embarrassed. Use at least 2 examples of
figurative language in your description.