Directions: After reading/listening to David Sedaris’s essay “SantaLand Diaries”, respond to the following questions. You must cite specific evidence in your responses.

1. How does Sedaris hook the audience?

2. What is the intended effect of listing each of the different types of elves?

3. How does Sedaris’s reading of the essay enhance the reader’s understanding of his comment, “It makes one's mouth hurt to speak with such forced merriment”?

4. Sedaris admits to some bad behavior he exhibited towards the customers. What details does he include that help the reader empathize with Sedaris and understand his somewhat questionable customer service?

5. Sedaris says, “It's not about the child or Santa or Christmas or anything, but the parents' idea of a world they cannot make work for them.” Explain what he means by this. Do you agree with his statement? Why or why not?

6. Why does Sedaris use the word “diaries” in his title rather than “stories” or “journals”?

7. Who or what is Sedaris satirizing? What is the overall message he is trying to communicate about this topic?