Look at this well-known poem by Langston Hughes and consider the diction and syntax choices he makes. How does he use line length, punctuation, and word choice to achieve maximum effect in eleven lines?

Harlem

Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—

5

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over—

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

10

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

(1951)

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