Figure of Speech
-any way of saying something other than the ordinary way
Figurative Language
-language using figures of speech; shouldn't be taken literally
Simile and Metaphor
-compare things that are essentially unlike
a) Simile: comparison is expressed by the use of like, as, than, similar to, resembles, seems, etc.
b) Metaphor: comparison is created when a figurative term is substituted for or identified with the literal
term
Four Forms:
1) both the literal and figurative terms are named (simile)
2) the literal term is named and the figurative term is implied
3) the literal term is implied and the figurative term is named
4) both the literal and figurative terms are implied (rare)
Personification and Apostrophe
-closely related ways of giving life and immediacy to one's language
a) Personification: giving the attributes of a human being to an animal, object, or
a concept
-subtype of a metaphor
b) Apostrophe: addressing someone absent or dead or something nonhuman as if
it were present and alive and could reply to what's being said
Synecdoche and Metonymy
-rest on congruences or correspondences
-substitute some significant detail or quality of an experience for the experience itself
a) Synecdoche: the use of the part for the whole
e.g. All hands on deck!
b) Metonymy: the use of something closely related for the thing actually meant
Reasons for the Effectiveness of Figurative Language
1) affords us imaginative pleasure
2) it's a way of bringing additional imagery into verse, of making the abstract concrete and poetry more sensuous
3) it's a way of adding emotional intensity to otherwise merely informative statements and of conveying attitudes along with information
e.g. “He is a rat” or “My feet are killing me”
reveals the characteristics of a speaker
how a character expresses a thought will define the attitudes or qualities as much as what that thought is
4) effective means of concentration, a way of saying much in brief compass
When Analyzing a Poem...
-decide what it is that the figures accomplish as well as identifying them
-ask yourself
1) What use is being made of this figure?
2) How does it contribute to the experience of the poem?
Bored?
Then play a fun game of Hangman: Figures of Speech Edition!!!
Perrine's Literature Ch 6: Figurative Language II
Differences between figurative languages:
image - means what it is
e.g. a dirty dog rubbed his back on a white fence
metaphor - means something other than what it is
e.g. some dirty dog stole my wallet last night
symbol - means what it is and more
e.g. you can't teach an old dog new tricks
The interpretations of symbols in poems vary in degree to the openness of it:
e.g. “A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman
-symbol's meaning is explicitly stated
e.g. “The Sick Rose”
-no meanings are indicated
When interpreting a symbol:
-do not assume things based on personal opinions
-use delicacy, tact, and good sense
-avoid the tendency to indulge in symbol-hunting and see anything as symbolic
Allegory:
-narrative or description that has a second meaning beneath the surface
-involves a system of related comparisons
-puts less emphasis on images and more on their ulterior meanings
-meanings are definite, unlike a symbol
-effective way of making the abstract concrete
Brush up on common poetry terms!
Perrine's Literature Ch 7: Figurative Language III
Paradox, Overstatement, Understatement
1) Paradox
-apparent contradiction that is nevertheless somehow true
-the contradiction usually stems from one of the words being used figuratively or with more than one denotation
-used for “shock value” of its seeming impossibility
-its apparent absurdity underscores the truth of what's being said
2) Overstatement (hyperbole)
-exaggeration in the service of truth
-meant to add emphasis; not to be taken literally
e.g. I'm starved!
You could have knocked me over with a feather!
3) Understatement
-saying less than one means
-may exist in what one says or how one says it
e.g. “a light snack” in reference to a heavy meal
Types of Irony
1) Verbal Irony
-discrepancy between what the speaker says and what the speaker means
-difference between verbal irony and sarcasm and satire
a) Sarcasm: bitter cutting speech intended to wound feelings on a colloquial level
b) Satire: ridicule of human folly or vice with the purpose of bringing
about reform; more formal; applied to written literature
2) Dramatic Irony
-discrepancy between what the speaker says and what the poem means
-poem indicated to the reader ideas/attitudes opposed to those the speaker voices
-also used to illuminate the character
3) Irony of Situation
-when a discrepancy exists between the actual circumstances and those that
would seem appropriate or between what one anticipates and what actually
comes to pass
The Rhetorical Situation
rhetoric – the art of communication
rhetoric situation – set of circumstances surrounding the act of communication
Elements:
Subject – what is the topic?
broaden, narrow, refocus?
details, examples, explanations?
Purpose -what effect wants to be created?
to entertain: for pleasure
to reflect: personal responses
to inform: convey facts, common ideas, etc
to persuade: seek to change the audiences ideas
Audience - who will receive this communication?
what's the age group?
would they have any biases? (social, religious, etc)
what's their educational background?
Speaker (Persona) - how do you want to seem when sending this message?
are you or a fictional personality speaking?
what attitude do you want convey towards your audience?
what character traits would help you connect with the audience?
Arguments
Argument is one way to accomplish the goal of persuasion
Persuasion is a purpose for communication
Persuasive Communication:
Argument
Logos – appeals to logic
logical arguments constructed to appeal to our ability to reason
Pathos – appeals to emotion
feelings like pity, sympathy, anger, etc
Ethos – appeals to ethics
our morality; sense of right and wrong
Argumentation Vocabulary:
Thesis – the main point
an opinion that you prove though your paper
Claim – an assertion; idea that's not a simple fact
a series of claims can support one's thesis
Warrant – an explanation of your reasoning
shows what your evidence means and how it supports your claim
*the warrant ties the claim and evidence together*
Evidence – facts that show your claims are reasonable
Fallacy – false reasoning; bad logic
Necessary – needed elements of an argument that can't be ignored
Sufficient – when the condition is sufficiently met
you have done enough to make your case
it has enough gravitas
Affirm - “agree with”
claims, thesis statements, and conclusions can all affirm an idea
Deny - “disagree with”
claims, thesis statements, and conclusions can all deny an idea
Qualify - “agree with under certain circumstances”
claims, thesis statements, and conclusions can all set special circumstances under which they all will
agree with an idea
Common Types of Arguments:
Proposal Argument
-proposes something should be done and attempts to justify why
Cause and Effect Argument
-seek to show how some situation happens
Argument of Evaluation
-make judgments on the quality of things by establishing a standard and then measuring something against it
Argument of Fact
-shows that despite controversy or misunderstanding, facts can be established
Argument of Definition
-attempts to create boundaries around a concept by showing what should/should not be included in a
certain category
How to Construct an Argument:
1) ask yourself about the rhetoric situation
-purpose in the argument
-the audiences expectations
-persona you are trying to project
-needs of your subject matter
2) construct a thesis
3) what does the audience need to know to accept my thesis?
4) have each section of the ensuing argument based on a claim tied to evidence with warrants
More information on argumentative essays
Outside Connections:
I can now see the importance of learning about rhetoric this week because the lesson on rhetoric has helped me with my outside readings. I can also see how it will be incredibly useful for our AP Essays.
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