Cisneros' Writing Style: In Her Own Words

Sandra Cisneros' writing style is often characterized as unique when compared to standard classical literature. Her experience growing up as a poor Latina in Chicago gives her writing a unique perspective and voice. Cisneros says she became a writer because she was "determined to fill a literary void, trying to write the stories that haven't been written."

In addition, her stories are compact and lyrical, which give her words a tone of familiarity, and an oral quality. While reading her work, I often feel like I am being told a story by my aunt or a close girlfriend. Regarding her writing, she says, she "found a way to write stories which could be read at any random point without having any knowledge of what came before or after. Or that could be read in a series to tell one big story."

Another unique aspect of her writing is her use of deceptively simple language. While succinct, the small details in her stories carry important meanings. Her words offer penetrating insights into concepts such as, feminism, cultural imperialism, as well as life in general.