Standard 3.9
Explain how, persona, and the choice of a narrator affect
characterization and the tone, plot and credibility of a text.
Narrator’s Voice
within a Text
Number of Questions
The literary response and analysis
section of the CAHSEE contains
20 multiple-choice questions, two
of which test your understanding
of standard 3.9
Definitions of Voice
The style of language used by the persona of a literary
work, designed be the author to establish the work’s tone.
(Persona--voice of character)
The style and words the author picks to tell the story.
For example: the persona, who is often the “voice” that
narrates the story, may speak in a very formal or informal
voice, a sarcastic or friendly voice, an innocent or
experienced voice.
Persona
The narrative voice understood to be speaking,
thinking, or writing the text. This narrating voice is
designed by the author to produce a particular
affect on the reader, that is, to see the story thru
the persona.
The persona, not the author, “tells” the story.
More importantly the test will focus on your
understanding of how the persona affects the
text.
Tone
The persona’s attitude towards the
characters and plot. The tone is shown
through the voice and persona.
A tone may be:
angry
humorous
sarcastic
persuasive
frustrated
upset
Plot
The order of events in which the story is
told.
climax
falling action
introduction
rising action
conclusion
Sample Questions
1. The words casual, wander, and gaze in the text
in the paragraph suggest a feeling of _______
A.
B.
C.
D.
determination
solitude
bewilderment
relaxation
Example Text
On the morning I wake naturally, for I have
set no clock, nor informed my body timepiece
when it should alarm. I dress in comfortable
shoes and casual clothes and leave my house
going no place. If I am living in a city. I wander
streets, window-shops, or gaze at buildings. I
enter and leave public parks, libraries, the
lobbies of skyscrapers, and movie houses. I
stay no place for very long.
Ask yourself how do these words make you feel?
Sample Questions
1. The words casual, wander, and gaze in the
text in the paragraph suggest a feeling of
_______
A.
B.
C.
D.
determination
solitude
bewilderment
relaxation
Sample Questions
1. The words casual, wander, and gaze in the
text in the paragraph suggest a feeling of
_______
A.
B.
C.
D.
determination
solitude
bewilderment
relaxation
Example Text #2
Each person deserves a day away in which no
problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of
us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw
from us. We need hours of aimless wandering or spaces of
time sitting on park benches, observing the mysterious
world of ants and the canopy of treetops.
If we step away for a time, we are not, as many may
think and some will accuse, being irresponsible, but rather
we are preparing ourselves to more ably perform our duties
and discharge our obligations.
When I return home, I am always surprised to find some
questions I sought to evade had been answered and some
entanglements I had hoped to flee had become unraveled in
my absence. A day away acts as a spring tonic. It can dispel
rancor, transform indecision, and renew the spirit.
Sample Question #2
Which BEST describes the narrator’s tone in
the passage?
a. persuasive
b. humorous
c. sarcastic
d. frustrated
These words have negative
connotations
Clues within the Text
Since we know the voice is not negative, look in the
text for clues as to whether the voice is
persuasive or humorous.
In the passage the narrator shows how and
what to feel by saying things such as: “each of us
needs”, “each person deserves”, and “we need an
hour of aimless wandering”.
These statements are not funny. Instead, the
statements are trying persuade you that a day away
is vital, therefore “persuasive” is the correct answer.