Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Vignette: Cleaning Up After #5”

In this activity, students will demonstrate their understanding of Braithwaite’s style, Korede’s voice, and the novel’s meaning by adding a vignette to Korede’s story.

When My Sister, the Serial Killer ends, a young man is at the door of Korede and Ayoola’s family home. The title of the novel’s final vignette, “#5,” implies that this man will be Ayoola’s next victim. In this activity, you will show that you understand Braithwaite’s vignette style, Korede’s voice as a narrator, and one of the novel’s important themes by writing a vignette about the aftermath of Ayoola’s next murder.

Investigate the Text

• Reread several vignettes to get a sense of their usual structure, focus, and content.
• Choose one to examine in depth for markers of Korede’s narrative voice:

○ What kind of language does she typically use?

○ What is her general tone?

○ How is her personality revealed through her choice of detail?

• Consider the novel as a whole: What messages does it convey about life through the use of