Focusing Question Task #2 - Angelle Fair

In the free verse poem Josh Bell rhyming is used to show Joshs
skill in basketball. To indicate that Josh is a well known basketball player
he says Josh Bell/ Is my name/ But Filthy McNasty is my claim to fame. If
anyone else called me/ fresh and sweet/ Id burn mad as a flame/ But I
know shes only talking about my game. This helps the reader know how
original Josh is in basketball. The use of rhyming is used to tell the reader
about Joshs basketball skills.

In the occasional poem Mom since you asked, Ill tell you why Im so
angry repetition is used to present Joshs frustration. When Josh says
Because my crossover should be better/...Because the only thing that
matters is swish/ Because our backboard is splintered. he is i llustrating
to the reader that he needs to be better at his crossover. Josh tells the
reader he is guilty about his dads hospitalization by blaming himself for his
dad getting the ball and trying to dunk because his crossover should be
better. Joshs frustration is shown through repetition.

The occasional poem and the free verse poem both show a
connection between Josh and his mother but contrast in how they talk
about his confidence. Joshs confidence level differs in the two poems
because in Josh Bell Josh is cocky and gloats about his game but in
Mom since you asked Ill tell you why Im so angry he starts doubting his
crossover. Josh expresses to the reader that he has trust and appreciation
towards his mother by speaking to her about his feelings in Mom since you
asked by saying If anyone else called me/ fresh and sweet/ Id burn
mad as a flame/ But I know shes talking about my game./. While the two
poems differ in showing Joshs confidence they both indicate a bond
between him and his mother.