Lesson 3: Figures of Speech
Figurative Language Term
Define the term.
Provide an example.
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Euphemism
- A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
- Example: "Passed away" instead of "died."
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Oxymoron
- A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.
- Example: "Deafening silence."
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Alliteration
- The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.
- Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."
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Allusion
- An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
- Example: "He has the Midas touch," referring to the myth of King Midas.
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Idiom
- A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.
- Example: "Kick the bucket," meaning to die.
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Onomatopoeia
- A word that phonetically resembles or suggests the sound that it describes.
- Example: "Buzz," as in the sound a bee makes.
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Personification
- The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.
- Example: "The wind whispered through the trees."
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Hyperbole
- Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
- Example: "I’m so hungry I could eat a horse."
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Understatement
- A figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.
- Example: Saying "It’s just a scratch" when referring to a large dent.
A figurative language is a meaning that to be interpreted requires an understanding of the way the words used relate to another concept.
A literal language 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 harsh or unpleasant realities, making a situation more palatable or sensitive to the audience.
What is juxtaposition?
Juxtaposition is the act of placing two elements close together to compare and contrast them, highlighting their differences or similarities.
Lesson 4: Comparisons
How are similes and metaphors the same?
Both similes and metaphors are literary devices used to compare one thing to another, helping to create vivid imagery and convey deeper meaning.
How are similes and metaphors different?
Similes use "like" or "as" to make a comparison (e.g., "as brave as a lion"), while metaphors make a direct comparison without using those words (e.g., "Time is a thief").
What is an example of a simile?
"Her smile was like sunshine on a rainy day."
What is an example of a metaphor?
"Life is a journey."
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 pen is to writing as a paintbrush is to painting.
Lesson 5: Mood and Sensory Language
What is the difference between denotation and connotation?
Denotation is the literal meaning 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 or variation in meaning, expression, or sound.
What is the mood in a text?
The mood is the overall feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing evokes in a reader.
What is the tone of a text?
The tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience conveyed through word choice and writing style.
What is imagery?
Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses and paints a picture in the reader’s mind.
How does sensory language help create the mood in a story?
Sensory language enhances the immersive experience of the story, allowing readers to visualize, hear, taste, smell, and feel what the characters are experiencing, thus contributing to the overall mood.
Sensory language can also include descriptions that are kinetic, 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, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
- Sound: The leaves rustled softly in the gentle breeze, like whispers shared between old friends.
- Smell: The rich aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, inviting and comforting.
- Touch: The rough bark of the tree scratched against her palm as she climbed higher.
- Taste: The tangy sweetness of the ripe strawberries burst in her mouth with every bite.
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 | Saying the opposite of what one means. | Saying "Great weather!" during a storm.| | Dramatic Irony | When the audience knows something the characters do not. | A character hiding in a closet is unaware the murderer is in the house. | | Situational Irony | A discrepancy between expectation and reality. | A fire station burns down. | | Sarcasm | The use of irony to mock or convey contempt. | "Oh, fantastic! Just what I needed!" when receiving bad news. | | Paradox | A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a truth. | "Less is more." |
A paradox can challenge our ideas of how things work and make us reconsider the way we see the world.
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 can help explain and interpret what is happening and why.
What is historical fiction?
Historical fiction is a genre of literature that recreates a specific time period through fictional narratives, often incorporating actual historical events and figures.
When writing historical fiction, why do authors have to take special care when creating the setting?
Authors must ensure accuracy in historical details to create an authentic atmosphere that respects the time period and its cultural nuances.
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?
They utilize research, historical documents, and cultural references to ground the story in its time and place.
What is a dialect?
A dialect is a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group, characterized by distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
What is a cultural setting?
A cultural setting refers to the social, historical, and geographical context in which a story occurs, influencing characters, events, and themes.
To craft cultural settings with which readers may not be familiar, authors use research and detailed descriptions.
Why is cultural setting important to the context of a story?
Cultural setting provides depth, shaping characters' identities, behaviors, and the story's themes, thus enriching the reader's understanding of the narrative and its message.
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