Section: Reading
Heading: “Everyday Use” Reading Questions
Date:
Background: During the 1960s, many African Americans took part in the Black Power, or the
Black Pride, movement, which involved political action for civil rights. It was a time of
rediscovering African roots and taking pride in African styles of clothing, art, language, music,
and religion.
Read the short article on page 77 and answer the following questions.
1. What activities are done in a swept yard?
2. What kind of “room” are swept yards considered to be?
3. Why are the yards “swept”?
Read “Everyday Use” (70-75) and answer the following questions.
1. What differences between the sisters are clear from the very beginning?
Maggie:
Dee:
2. What conflict between the sisters is evident even before Dee arrives?
3. To whom does the narrator appear to be closer? Explain.
4. How do Maggie and Dee differ in intelligence and education?
Maggie:
Dee:
5. Why does Dee write that she will come to visit her family but never bring her friends?
6. What does “scalding humor” mean? Why is this phrase significant?
7. Which name do you think better reflects Dee’s heritage? Why?
8. Soul Food is food that is traditionally within African American culture. Describe what is
served during their meal.
9. Why does Maggie slam the door when Dee asks for the quilts?
10. What other issue surrounds the quilts?
11. Find the passage in the text that explains the title and record it below. Is the title of this
story effective?
12. What do you think Mama wants to accomplish by giving the quilts to Maggie?
13. Near the end of the story on page 75, Dee accuses Mama of not understanding their
African American heritage. Do you agree or disagree with Dee? Why?
14. What do you think each of these three women will be doing ten years after the story
ends? Explain.
15. Do you think Alice Walker chose the right narrator for her story? How would the story
differ if Dee or Maggie were telling it, instead of Mama?
Read the biography about Alice Walker on page 76 and answer the following question.
16. Why do you think Alice Walker dedicated her story “For Your Grandmama”?
Section: Reading
Heading: “Everyday Use” Plot
Date:
CLIMAX
RISING ACTION
FALLING ACTION
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
EXPOSITION
Characters (give 2 details for each character):
1.
2.
3.
4.
Setting (give 3 details about the setting):
1.
2.
3.
Conflict:
RESOLUTION
Section: Literary Terms
Heading: “Everyday Use” Literary Terms
Date:
Directions: Identify examples of the following literary devices in “Everyday Use.”
1. Flashback: a scene that interrupts the present action of the plot to show events that
happened at an earlier time.
2. Simile: a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”
3. Metaphor: a comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”
4. Hyperbole: extreme exaggeration
5. Irony: a contrast between expectation and reality
6. Symbol: something concrete that represents something abstract
7. List two themes of “Everyday Use.” One should relate to the topic of “Hard Choices.”
A.
B.
Section: Writing
Heading: “Everyday Use” – Group Time Period Research
Name:
Date:
Directions: Research the event through the Internet or a book source (ex: encyclopedia). You will cite
this source (according to MLA rules) and directly quote from it as you write a summary paragraph.
Remember that www.easybib.com is a helpful source to aid you in correct MLA citations. Refer to the
rubric below for specific grading criteria.
Research Topics: Circle your topic.
Lasers Invented
Lunch Counter Sit-in at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, NC
Black Panther Party Established
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
Rock and Roll concert at Woodstock
New York City Great 1965 Blackout
Marilyn Monroe Found Dead
Peace Crops Founded
Malcolm X Assassinated
Johnny Carson Takes over Tonight Show
First Super Bowl (1967)
Andy Warhol Exhibits Campbell’s Soup Can
Famous 1962 Escape from Alcatraz
Miniskirt First Appears (1965)
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) becomes World Heavyweight Champion
Focus Correction Areas:
1. The source is correctly cited according to MLA format.
2. The summary paragraph is rich in detail, at least 8 sentences
and in correct TEST-paragraph format.
3. A direct quote is included, fits in well with the surrounding
details, and includes a parenthetical citation.
4. Based upon your research, provide a visual aid to add to the class
quilt and help enrich your presentation. A brief explanation of how it
relates to your topic must be included.
5. Class presentation: Presentation is clear, informative, and
organized. All students in group present information.
________ / 20
________ / 40
________ / 10
________ / 20
________ / 10
Part 1: Once you have located a source, cite it on the lines below (use www.easybib.com).
________________________________________________________________________
Part 2: Closely read through the source and prepare to write a summary of your findings. This can be
handwritten or typed. Be sure to follow the rubric guidelines. You should directly quote at least one
sentence from the source to be included in your paragraph. Write this (with correct citation) below.
“____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________” (
).
Part 3: A visual aid must be present at your presentation. Provide a 1-2 sentence explanation of its
connections.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________