Lesson 3: Figures of Speech
Figurative Language Term: Euphemism (yoo-fe-mi-zm)
- Define the term: A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression used to replace one that may be considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant.
- Provide an example: "Passed away" instead of "died."
Figurative Language Term: Oxymoron (awk-see-maw-ron)
- Define the term: An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.
- Provide an example: "Deafening silence."
Figurative Language Term: Alliteration (uh-lit-uh-ray-shun)
- Define the term: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in a series of words.
- Provide an example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."
Figurative Language Term: Allusion (uh-loo-zhun)
- Define the term: An allusion is a reference to a well-known person, place, event, or literary work.
- Provide an example: "He was a real Romeo with the ladies."
Figurative Language Term: Idiom (id-ee-uhm)
- Define the term: An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements.
- Provide an example: "Kick the bucket," meaning to die.
Figurative Language Term: Onomatopoeia (aa-nuh-maa-tuh-pee-uh)
- Define the term: Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the natural sound of a thing.
- Provide an example: "Boom," "buzz," or "sizzle."
Figurative Language Term: Personification (pur-son-uh-fi-kay-shun)
- Define the term: Personification is giving human characteristics to non-human things.
- Provide an example: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Figurative Language Term: Hyperbole (hy-pur-buh-lee)
- Define the term: Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally.
- Provide an example: "I've told you a million times."
Figurative Language Term: Understatement
- Define the term: An understatement is a figure of speech in which a situation is made to seem less important or serious than it is.
- Provide an example: Saying "It's just a scratch" when referring to a large dent in a car.
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 difficult or unpleasant ideas, making them more acceptable to the audience.
What is juxtaposition? (juhk-stuh-puh-zi-shun)
Juxtaposition is placing two or more ideas, characters, settings, or themes side by side to develop comparisons and contrasts.
Lesson 4: Comparisons
How are similes and metaphors the same?
Both similes and metaphors are figures of speech used to make comparisons between two different things to enhance understanding or meaning.
How are similes and metaphors different?
Similes use "like" or "as" to make a comparison, while metaphors do not; they state that one thing is another.
What is an example of a simile?
"She is as brave as a lion."
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 "light bulb" is to "illumination" as "engine" is to "movement."
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 emotions or associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.
What is a nuance? (pronounced noo-aans)
A nuance is a subtle difference or distinction in meaning, expression, or response.
What is the mood in a text?
The mood is the emotional quality or atmosphere created by the author's words, affecting the reader's feelings.
What is the tone of a text?
The tone is the author's attitude toward the subject or audience expressed through their word choice and writing style.
What is imagery?
Imagery is descriptive language that appeals to the senses and helps to 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, making the experience more immersive and influencing their emotional response to the narrative.
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 sunset painted the sky with hues of orange and purple.
- Sound: The leaves rustled in the wind, whispering secrets to each other.
- Smell: The aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air, warm and inviting.
- Touch: The rough bark of the tree scraped against her palm as she climbed higher.
- Taste: The chocolate melted in her mouth, smooth and rich.
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 | When someone says one thing but means another, often the opposite. | "Oh, fantastic!" when something bad happens. | | Dramatic Irony | When the audience knows something that the characters do not. | In a horror movie, the audience knows the killer is in the house, but the character does not. | | Situational Irony | When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected. | A fire station burns down. | | Sarcasm | The use of irony to mock or convey contempt. | "Great job on that presentation," said with a sarcastic tone after a poor performance. | | Paradox | A statement that appears contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth. | "This statement is false." |
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, affecting the behavior and reactions of the people involved and helping to explain and interpret what is happening and why.
What is historical fiction?
Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the story takes place in the past, often featuring historical events, figures, or settings.
When writing historical fiction, why do authors have to take special care when creating the setting?
Authors must accurately depict the historical time period, including social norms, customs, and events, to create an authentic and believable setting.
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 firsthand accounts to provide context.
What is a dialect?
A dialect is a particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group, often including distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
What is a cultural setting?
A cultural setting is the social, ethnic, and historical background that informs the characters and events of the story.
To craft cultural settings with which readers may not be familiar, authors use descriptive language and cultural references.
Why is cultural setting important to the context of a story?
Cultural setting helps to ground the story in a specific time and place, influencing the characters' behaviors, attitudes, and realities, making the narrative more relatable and enriching for the reader.