Question

People use figures of speech and illusions to communicate, what figure of speech might you hear in everyday life.
1. Identify the figure of speech.
Ask yourself: What word or phrase has a meaning that is different from its literal meaning? What well-known person, place, event, or literary work may be referenced?
2. Activate your prior knowledge of the figure of speech.
Ask yourself: Have I heard this word or phrase before? If I think that this is an illusion, what do I already know about the person, place, event, or work of art or literature being referenced?
3. Analyze how the figure of speech is used in the text.
Ask yourself: What details help to explain the figure of speech? How do the context clues, or surrounding words and details, help me understand the figure of speech?
4. Connect the details with your prior knowledge to determine the meaning of the figure of speech.
Ask yourself: What does the figure of speech mean? What connection or idea does the author want me to understand?

Answer 1

Let's go through these steps using a common figure of speech: **"Achilles' heel."**

### 1. Identify the figure of speech.
- **Figure of Speech:** Achilles' heel
- **Meaning:** This phrase refers to a person's vulnerability or weakness, especially in someone who is otherwise very strong or invulnerable.
- **Reference:** The term originates from Greek mythology, where Achilles was a great warrior whose heel was his only point of vulnerability.

### 2. Activate your prior knowledge of the figure of speech.
- **Prior Knowledge:** I have heard the phrase "Achilles' heel" used in various contexts, often in discussions about sports, politics, or personal weaknesses. I know that in mythology, Achilles was dipped in the River Styx by his mother to make him invulnerable, but his heel remained dry and became his fatal weakness.

### 3. Analyze how the figure of speech is used in the text.
- **Context Examples:** If a writer describes a businessman who is exceptionally talented in negotiations but struggles with public speaking, they might say, "Despite his keen negotiation skills, his public speaking is his Achilles' heel."
- **Details and Clues:** Here, the context clues are "keen negotiation skills" and the emphasis on the weakness of public speaking, which suggests that while the person is strong in one area, there's a significant flaw in another.

### 4. Connect the details with your prior knowledge to determine the meaning of the figure of speech.
- **Meaning:** The phrase "Achilles' heel" emphasizes the idea that everyone has a weakness, regardless of their strengths. The author uses this figure of speech to communicate that even the most competent people have vulnerabilities that can undermine their success.
- **Connection/Understanding:** The author wants the reader to recognize that recognizing and addressing one's weaknesses is as important as cultivating strengths. Just like Achilles' downfall was tied to his singular vulnerability, the text implies that one should be aware of their weaknesses to avoid detrimental consequences.

In summary, using figures of speech like "Achilles' heel" not only conveys a deeper meaning but also enriches the understanding of the character or situation being described.