Transcript The Basics
The Basics • Metaphor – “this is that” • Simile – Using “like/as” • Personification – Human Qualities • Allusion – Historical/Mythical/Biblical • Hyperbole – “The ONLY/ the WHOLE world/NEVER has it…” • Repetition – Repeating the same words • Parallel Structure (phrases) • Diction – SPECIAL word choices • EX: Penal Conflagration • EX: Desolate • Syntax – Sentence Length • Long/Short • Simple/Compound/Complex • ARGUMENTS – Ethos (Ethics vs. ) – Logos (Use your Brain!) – Pathos ( the Heart! ) What’s a Simile? Similes compare two dissimilar objects, concepts, etc., in order to suggest an unexpected likeness between the two. Similes can often be distinguished by the presence of one of two code words, “like” and “as.” For Example… Two Dissimilar Subjects Blanket Snow Simile Time! If we wish to make a comparison between the way a blanket covers a bed and the way the snow covers the group, we should use a simile. How can we use a simile to compare the two? The Finished Product! The snow is like a thick blanket on the ground. Notice the key presence of “like.” What About Metaphors? If you choose to use a metaphor instead, remember that you aren’t simply comparing the snow to the blanket – you’re equating the two! For Example… Rather than claiming that the snow is like the blanket, simply claim that the two are the same. “The snow is a blanket on the earth.” Is the snow actually a blanket? No! However, the image the equation creates is a vividly descriptive one – and vivid images are excellent! I Need Direction An easy way to remember the difference between similes and metaphors is to determine whether the writer is trying to be direct. “The snow is a blanket” is direct; the comparison in “the snow is like a blanket” is by definition more abstract than the equation. A Very Thin Line At their core, metaphors and similes aren’t separated by much; in the previous example, the presence of the word “like” is all that distinguishes one from the other Please Don’t Take My Sunshine Away “You are my sunshine” “You are like the sun” Which is the metaphor? How can you tell that the Langston Hughes quote contains a metaphor? Can they be divided? Many, Many Metaphors….. Metonymy Synecdoche • is another form of metaphor, very similar to synecdoche, in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject with which it is to be compared. • – The orders came directly from the White House. (Pres.) – You can't fight city hall. – This land belongs to the crown. is a type of metaphor in which the part stands for the whole, the whole for a part, the genus for the species, the species for the genus, the material for the thing made, or in short, any portion, section, or main quality for the whole or the thing itself (or vice versa). – Farmer Jones has two hundred head of cattle and three hired hands. – If I had some wheels, I'd put on my best threads and ask for Jane's hand in marriage. – It is sure hard to earn a dollar these days. A Close Paring Anaphora The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses or lines. ) "We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender." (British Prime Minister Winston Churchill Epistrophe (also called antistrophe) • The counterpart to anaphora, because the repetition of the same word or words comes at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences: – Where affections bear rule, there reason is subdued, honesty is subdued, good will is subdued, and all things else that withstand evil, for ever are subdued. -Wilson – And all the night he did nothing but weep Philoclea, sigh Philoclea, and cry out Philoclea. --Philip Sidney • . Parallelism • repeating a grammatical structure or an arrangement of words to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. • • • • • • • • • • Ask not what your country can do for you —ask what you can do for your country. -JFK …in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract…. that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. -Abraham Lincoln (from “The Gettysburg Address”) Let us begin with “A”… Antithesis Asyndeton (Polysyndeton is the OPPOSITE of this!) • • Opposition, or contrast of ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. – "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." (Barry Goldwater - Republican Candidate for President 1964) – "Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more". (Brutus in: " Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare) consists of omitting conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses. – On his return he received medals, honors, treasures, titles, fame. – She likes pickles, olives, raisins, dates, and pretzels. • In certain cases, the omission of a conjunction between short phrases gives the impression of synonymy to the phrases, or makes the latter phrase appear to be an afterthought or even a substitute for the former. – Compare: He was a winner, a hero. – He was a winner and a hero. More… Apostrophe Cacophony • A turn from the general audience to address a specific group or person or personified abstraction absent or present. • Harsh joining of sounds – "For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel. Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him". (Mark Antony in Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare) – "We want no parlay with you and your grisly gang who work your wicked will." (British Prime Minister Winston Churchill -referring to Hitler.) And still more…. Euphemism Irony (verbal) • • Expression of something which is contrary to the intended meaning; the words say one thing but mean another. substitution of an agreeable or at least non-offensive expression for one whose plainer meaning might be harsh or unpleasant. Examples: Euphemisms for " stupid" A few fries short of a Happy Meal. A few beers short of a six-pack. One Fruit Loop shy of a full bowl. All foam, no beer. The cheese slid off his cracker. – “Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. “ (Shakespeare's Mark Antony in Julius Caesar) Yup… Oxymoron Paradox • Apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another. • An assertion seemingly opposed to common sense, but that may yet have some truth in it. – “I must be cruel only to be kind.“ (Shakespeare, Hamlet) – "Hurts so good…“ (John Cougar Melancamp) – “Jumbo Shrimp” – “What a pity that youth must be wasted on the young." (George Bernard Shaw) And it goes on…. Analogy Enumeration • In rhetoric, reasoning or explaining from parallel cases. • detailing parts, causes, effects, or consequences to make a point more forcibly: – A simile is an expressed analogy; a metaphor is an implied one. -Referee is to football as umpire is to ________________________. (basketball, baseball, hockey, judge) -Baseball is to diamond as basketball is to ______________________. (field, inside, game, court) -Baseball is to ball as hockey is to ________________________. (stick, penalty, puck, shoot) – I love her eyes, her hair, her nose, her cheeks, her lips [etc.]. • When the new highway opened, more than just the motels and restaurants prospered. The stores noted a substantial increase in sales, more people began moving to town, a new dairy farm was started, the old Main Street Theater doubled its showings and put up a new building . . Modes of Writing! • LOOK IN THE PROSE MODELS!! We did presentations on these!!!