South African History
In 1994, who became the first black South African president, after having recently served close to thirty years in jail?
Nelson Mandela.
To whom did Trevor Noah dedicate his book?
His mom.
He starts them with introductions that explain bits of South African history and culture that will be relevant in the upcoming chapter.
Instead of starting a sentence with "And ...." what transition words can you use to show you are continuing on the same line of thought? Name three.
Answers may include: Also, Moreover, In addition, Additionally, Furthermoe, Likewise, Similarly, etc.
When Mphahlele describes Mrs. Plum and her activist friends as wearing black sashes, he hints at their participation in the Women's Defense of the Constitution League, a real group of white South Africans who opposed apartheid. This kind of cultural or historical reference in a work of literature is called ....
An allusion.
What famous black civil rights activist who was killed by South African police later became the subject of a famous song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel and the movie Cry Freedom?
Stephen (Steve) Biko.
What scandalous story of anti-semitism in Noah's past does he confess to but explain as a big cultural misunderstanding?
He had a dancing friend named Hitler, and he and his buddies started chanting, "Go Hitler!" at a Jewish school's cultural event.
Which family member does Trevor Noah discuss the most in his book?
His mother.
Instead of starting a sentence with "But ...." in a formal essay, what transition words can you use to show that you are moving away from your previous line of thinking?
Answers may include: In contrast, However, On the other hand, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Despite the fact that, In spite of this ...., etc.
Irony.
What did the Dutch South Africans who spoke a different language start calling themselves?
Afrikaners (and their language is Afrikaans).
Why does Noah say that having some money is important.
It gives you more choices (freedom).
Why does Noah use swear words in his book?
To make stressful or scandalous moments seem humorous / to add lightness to the accounts.
There are different ways to cite quotes in writing, but which is the proper way for MLA citations:
a) He says, "quote" (12).
b) He says, "quote." (12)
Use the MLA method for research papers.
Writers such as Maya Angelou and Alice Walker are famous for their descriptive details that paint a picture in the reader's mind. What is this figurative language called?
Imagery.
Who won the Nobel Peace Prize along with Nelson Mandela in 1993?
Trevor and his mother moved around quite a bit, but he spent most of his childhood in a black township outside of Johannesburg known for having a famous racial riot. What was it called?
Soweto.
Trevor peppers his autobiography with accounts of racism that are factual but completely absurd, such as the pencil test. Describe the pencil test.
If officials couldn't "tell" if a person was white or black, they'd put a pencil in the person's hair. If it stuck, they were black; if it slid out, they could pass for white.
What does the expression "quote sandwich" mean?
Set up your quote first by identifying the speaker and context. (This is like the first piece of bread.)
Next, put your quote. (This is like the filling.)
Then spend the most time explaining your quote and particular word choices within it. (This is like the final piece of bread.)
What figurative language is a synonym for "exaggeration," and a technique that Trevor Noah sometimes uses?
What was the name of the South African Anglican bishop who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his anti-apartheid sermons in 1931?
Desmond Tutu.
Trevor mentions "Bantus" several times in his book. Who are they?
Migrating black South Africans who were kicked out of their homelands and had to go live in townships in arid country landscapes, called Bantu states.
A large part of Noah's humor or comedy comes from his use of analogies. What type of analogies are they? (Name the figurative language that he frequently uses.)
Similes (outrageous similes).
When you analyze characterization in a work of literature, you should pay attention to STEAL? What does "STEAL" stand for?
Speech (of the protagonist or of other characters, about the protagonist), Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, and Looks.
What are the three parts of the "rhetoric triangle" that speakers ever since the ancient Greek philosophers have employed? This includes Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Trevor Noah, etc.
Ethos (establishing credibility)
Pathos (appealing to emotions) and
Logos (appealing to logic with many facts)