Structure

The Misadventure of Awkward Black Girl has a clear structure that accentuates humorous and even parodic elements of in the book, playing off both superhero comic books, self-help books, and advice columns. Joshing tone aside, the book reads like an episodic memoir. Its introduction begins with an anecdote about the author herself. Issa Rae introduces herself by her given name, Jo-Issa Diop and explains her quest for an epic childhood nickname that would help alleviate her awkward bearing. This begins to explain who she is and how she will be telling her story. It clarifies in advance any confusions that may arise in the proceeding references to peoples and places. By signing off her introduction, “Awkwardly yours, Issa Rae,” (p.14) the author sets the scene for what will feel like correspondence with a community, drawing inspiration from “Dear Sally” advice columns from the past.

There are fourteen...