The Power of Anecdotes in Literature

Exploring the Role of Anecdotes in Literary Works

Read the excerpt from “First Generation” of Dreaming in Cuban. She considers the vagaries of sports, the happenstance of El Líder, a star pitcher in his youth, narrowly missing a baseball career in America. His wicked curveball attracted the major league scouts, and the Washington Senators were interested in signing him but changed their minds. Frustrated, El Líder went home, rested his pitching arm, and started a revolution in the mountains.

Read the excerpt from “Like Mexicans.” We talked for an hour and had apple pie and coffee, slowly. Finally, we got up with Carolyn taking my hand. Slightly embarrassed, I tried to pull away but her grip held me. I let her have her way as she led me down the hallway with her mother right behind me. . . . Carolyn waved again. I looked, back, waving. . . . Her people were like Mexicans, only different.

The Similarities in Structure

Which best states how the structures of the excerpts are similar?

Based on the excerpts from “First Generation” of Dreaming in Cuban and “Like Mexicans”, it can be said that the structures of the excerpts are similar in that they both used an anecdote to appeal to the emotions of its readers. Anecdotes are short stories regarding a real situation that happened. It usually has interesting or humorous content.

How do anecdotes contribute to the overall impact of a literary work?

Anecdotes in literature serve to engage the reader on a personal level, evoke emotions, provide insight into characters or themes, and make abstract concepts more relatable and understandable. By sharing a brief story or episode, authors can create a connection with the audience and enhance the impact of their message.