Unit 6 Study Guide: Language and Style

**Unit 6 Study Guide: Language and Style**

**Lesson Name & Number**

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### Key Concepts

**Lesson 3: Figures of Speech**

#### Figurative Language Term

| Term | Definition | Example |
|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| **euphemism** | A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt. | "Passed away" instead of "died." |
| **oxymoron** | A figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. | "Bitter sweet." |
| **alliteration** | The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. | "She sells sea shells by the sea shore." |
| **allusion** | An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect reference. | "He has the Midas touch." (reference to King Midas) |
| **idiom** | A phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements. | "It's raining cats and dogs." |
| **onomatopoeia** | The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. | "Buzz," "hiss," or "clang." |
| **personification** | The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human. | "The wind whispered through the trees." |
| **hyperbole** | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. | "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." |
| **understatement** | A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. | "It's just a scratch" when referring to a large dent.|

- A **figurative meaning** is a meaning that to be interpreted requires an understanding of the way the words used relate to another concept.
- A **literal meaning** is a meaning that uses the ordinary or basic definition of words.
- **Connotation** is the feeling a word gives you that is different from its literal definition.

**Why might an author use a euphemism?**
An author might use a euphemism to soften the impact of a harsh truth or to address a sensitive topic in a more palatable way.

**What is juxtaposition?**
Juxtaposition is placing two contrasting elements close together in order to highlight their differences.

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**Lesson 4: Comparisons**

**How are similes and metaphors the same?**
Both similes and metaphors are used to make comparisons between two unrelated things, revealing similarities between them.

**How are similes and metaphors different?**
Similes use "like" or "as" to make a comparison (e.g., "as brave as a lion"), whereas metaphors do not use these words and imply that one thing *is* another (e.g., "He is a lion in battle").

**What is an example of a simile?**
"Her smile was as bright as the sun."

**What is an example of a metaphor?**
"Time is a thief."

- An **analogy** is a useful literary device an author can use to link an unfamiliar concept to a more familiar one.

**What is an example of an object-to-function analogy?**
A knife is to cutting as a pen is to writing.

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**Lesson 5: Mood and Sensory Language**

**What is the difference between denotation and connotation?**
Denotation is the literal, dictionary definition of a word, while connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.

**What is a nuance?**
A nuance is a subtle difference in meaning, expression, or tone.

**What is the mood in a text?**
The mood is the emotional atmosphere of a piece of writing that evokes certain feelings in the reader.

**What is the tone of a text?**
Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice and style.

**What is imagery?**
Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses and helps create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

**How does sensory language help create the mood in a story?**
Sensory language engages the reader's senses, enhancing their emotional response to the text and immersing them in the setting.

- Sensory language can also include descriptions that are **kinesthetic**, meaning they relate to the sense of movement and action of a character or object.

#### Create an example of sensory language for each of the five senses:
- **Sight**: "The golden sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange."
- **Sound**: "The leaves rustled gently in the wind, whispering secrets to one another."
- **Smell**: "The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, warm and inviting."
- **Touch**: "The rough bark of the tree scratched against my palm as I climbed higher."
- **Taste**: "The tangy lemonade burst with flavor, quenching my thirst on a hot summer's day."

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**Lesson 6: Irony, Sarcasm, and Paradox**

**Irony** is a literary technique that shows a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, or between the way things seem to be in contrast to the way they really are.

| Term | Definition | Example |
|--------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| **Verbal Irony** | A figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is meant. | "Oh, great! Another rainy day!" |
| **Dramatic Irony** | When the audience knows something that the characters do not. | In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive when Romeo thinks she is dead. |
| **Situational Irony** | A situation that ends up in a way opposite to what was expected. | A fire station burns down. |
| **Sarcasm** | The use of verbal irony to mock or convey contempt. | "Nice job on that assignment! Really impressive!" |
| **Paradox** | A statement that contradicts itself but may include a latent truth. | "Less is more." |

- A **paradox** can challenge our ideas of how things work and make us reconsider the way we see the world.

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**Lesson 7: Context**

**Context** is the set of circumstances in which an event or situation takes place, which affects the behavior and reactions of the people involved and that can help explain and interpret what is happening and why.

**What is historical fiction?**
Historical fiction is a literary genre where the story takes place in the past, often featuring real events, people, and places while incorporating fictional elements.

**When writing historical fiction, why do authors have to take special care when creating the setting?**
Authors must accurately depict the time period to ensure authenticity and immerse the reader in the historical context.

**What do authors of historical fiction often use to provide context and describe the experience of living in a different environment and a different time?**
Authors often use research, historical documents, and cultural references to create an accurate backdrop for their stories.

**What is a dialect?**
A dialect is a particular form of a language that is specific to a region or social group, featuring distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

**What is a cultural setting?**
A cultural setting refers to the social, historical, and cultural background in which the story takes place, influencing characters' behaviors and perspectives.

- To craft cultural settings with which readers may not be familiar, authors use **research** and **vivid descriptions**.

**Why is cultural setting important to the context of a story?**
Cultural setting provides depth and context, enhancing the reader's understanding of characters’ motivations and behaviors within their specific cultural framework.

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**Submit your completed Study Guide to the drop box at the end of Unit 6 Lesson 8.**