Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template

Use this document to plan and write your Personal Response, then
attach it to the PRT dropbox on D2L for submission
Carefully read and consider the poem that you analyzed for your Poetry in Voice recitation. Use your
DISRUPTion, newfound knowledge, and personal connections/experiences to complete the assignment
that follows.

In your writing, you must

● Use a prose form [i.e. a personal essay, a journal entry, a personal letter, a diary entry, a script,
an editorial, a monologue, a short story, or any other format aside from poetry]
● Connect the text provided (your Poetry in Voice selection) to your own ideas and impressions

Format:
● use a 12 point, legible font

● double-space your text

Respond to ONE of the following topics:

What does the text suggest to you about…

1. …the impact of individual choices?

2. …the need to form meaningful connections ?
3. …the impact of personal freedom?
4. … an individual’s response to challenges?
5. …the nature of love?

Support your idea(s) with reference to the poem, and to your previous knowledge and/or
experience.

I am responding to topic number: 4

Poem Title: Dear Diaspora Child Poet’s Name: Cicely B. Blain

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 Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template
What is your Controlling Idea (response to the topic) and how does it connect to the poem/topic?

In the personal essay, it is my aim to expand more on how the poem offers the reader a great deal of comfort with regards to
one's cultural identity. In my analysis, I will focus on the aspects of culture and identity and how the poem relates to my own
experience. As I explain my experiences and thoughts, I want to stress the significance of cultural diversification and people’s
acceptance of themselves and others regardless of how they look or behave.

What approach will I use to communicate this idea:

There are numerous ways in which you can shape your response. Some formats have more structure than
others, while others are not limited by any particular form or structure. Some possible formats are (but not
limited to):
journal entries personal essay
anecdotal response short story
philosophical discussion political rant
historical perspective monologue
mock interview eulogy

⮚ When writing a creative response, include your format choice, how you plan to illustrate your idea
(plot diagram, for example), and how your idea connects to the text and the assigned prompt. Your
character should be dynamic, undergoing a change.
⮚ If you choose an essay format, identify the main idea (topic sentence) for each paragraph, how it
will be explored (examples), and how it relates to your controlling idea.
⮚ In either case, you must briefly provide quotations and/or references to the text to show how they
inspire your piece for clarity’s sake.
⮚ For more information about the writing options available to you, see the Personal Response
Tutorial Tips document on Brightspace.

What format do you intend to use? Personal essay

(Select one from the list above)

What is the Unifying Effect (title, motif, metaphor, symbolism)? How will you demonstrate this in
your writing?

The theme of self-acceptance and validation in this poem is evident in the acceptance and celebration of cultural identity. The
line “it’s okay if..” used throughout the poem acts as a structural and thematic hook, establishing a pattern that focuses on the
poem’s main idea of comfort. In this essay, I will demonstrate with the help of examples and storytelling what the poem
means to me and how it relates to the process of cultural identity exploration.
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Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template

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 Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template
Texas Hold’em Planning & Review
Like Texas Hold’em, you are given two cards. One is to be completed BEFORE writing, the other as a
review AFTER you are finished. This will help you stay organized and ensure you have everything done:
Planning CARD (To be completed BEFORE you write your response)

CHARACTER - Who will the reader

be following on this journey? Provide 2
adjectives that define your protagonist.

ARC - What obstacles does your

character face; how do they change, learn,
transform

RESULT - What is the result of this

change/transformation?

DESCRIPTION - What is the setting

(time/place); what figurative language will
you use to establish
tone/mood/contribute to the theme?

SIGNIFICANCE - Why does it

matter? What does it all mean?

Review CARDS (To be completed AFTER you write your response)

CONFLICT - Does your response

include and address a central conflict?
What is it?

ATMOSPHERE - Have you included

thought-provoking, emotional
language/anecdotes? Give an example.

RESOLUTION - Has the central

conflict been resolved? If so, how? If not,
why?

DICTION - Have you chosen your

words carefully and purposefully? Give
me 5 examples.

SUPPORT - Have you referenced the

text (poem) to support your response to
the topic? Give an example.

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 Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template

[Loti Siraj]

ELA 10-1

[ May 29th 2024]

[Embracing Cultural Diversity ]

In the society of today, culture is the common denominator that unites people and groups them based

on similarities or ancestry. However, identity formation can be particularly difficult in multicultural

societies as this poem has demonstrated. These ideas are illustrated in the poem “Dear Diaspora

Child”, which appeals to a wide audience and highlights the message that everyone is unique and

should not attempt to conform to other people’s experiences. Being a first generation daughter of

immigrants, the themes depicted in the poem are not only familiar but comforting. Looking at the

verses of “Dear Diaspora Child” it is possible to derive a strong message about the variations of

diaspora cultures and assert that each individual's experiences deserve to be acknowledged and valued.

The poem “Dear Diaspora Child” sheds profound understanding about the subject of culture and

assimilation that relates to the general prosperity of the different diaspora groups. In the poem, the

phrase “it’s okay if” is used several times, making the readers understand that it is okay to be cultural

as well as to have different experiences. For instance, the line “it’s okay if English is the only language

that flows freely from your mouth” recognizes that there is a multicultural force within cultural

communities and puts into words the experience of those people who have had feelings of shame every

time they do not use their ancestors’ language correctly. This portrayal deconstructs traditionally

imposed cultural identities in favor of change and understanding of who people are. On a similar note,

the poem engages the concept of cultural identity based on how families work and what is expected of

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 Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template
the individuals by the same families. Phrases such as “it’s okay if you dread the disappointed stares of

aunties” argue the social pressure that people have to submit to the expectations of their given culture,

therefore reinforcing the idea of the poem within the poem about the pressure and internal conflict

individuals are faced with. Regarding these pressures, the poem is aimed at teaching readers to accept

themselves, as well as the fact that they do not have to be like everyone else, which reaffirms the topic

of approval. One can conclude that “Dear Diaspora Child” offers powerful proof necessary for global

and cultural diversity, understanding and accepting cultural and personal experience.

The story, “Dear Diaspora Child,” resonates with my own experiences and the importance of providing

support and affirmations for those struggling with cultural identity. My own experience of going to a

predominantly white school also made me feel that I have lost touch not only with the culture but I also

lost touch with my identity. Whereas others seem to assimilate themselves into the culture easily, I

began to feel a lack of connection to my ethnic background. It became especially challenging when

some of my family members raised questions as to why I could not fluently speak and understand our

native language while I failed to do so due to my inability to speak fluently due to my young age of

leaving Kenya. They would then bring up comparisons to other cousins making me feel as though I

was lacking and further distanced me from my heritage. As much as the above experiences presented

to me the shocks, hitches and barriers, I realized that they helped me in gaining more emergent

appreciation and values of my culture. Gradually I started to understand myself better and get closer to

the side of me that I had left dormant for years. Over the past year I've made the effort to integrate

myself more into my culture through foods, dancing, and cultural events. Instead of worsening my

discontent, I’ve learned to accept it as it is what makes me who I am. Reflecting on my cultural

background and identity, I found it crucial to embrace diversity and acknowledge the cultural values

which “Dear Diaspora Child” also promotes; accepting and sharing the experiences, therefore, creating

a culture where the different cultures are recognized and valued.

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 Personal Response to Texts Writing Assignment 10-1: Template
In conclusion, “Dear Diaspora Child” effectively depicts the messages conveyed by Cicely B. Blain in

regards to the views on ethnic and cultural diversity and the value of recognizing individuality within

the diaspora populations. The poem thus makes a strong statement of encouragement, validation and

acceptance that makes a positive impact on current multicultural societies. Highlighting the importance

of embracing individual experiences within diverse spaces.

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