Vocabulary, Figurative Language, and Grammar

Make sure you are aware of these terms and can provide a definition and an example of each one.  literal language-  language that is true to fact.  It uses words in accordance with their actual (literal) meanings.  My dog is a carnivore.

figurative language-  language that makes comparisons between unrelated things or ideas, in order to show something about a subject.  In the kitchen, my dog is a tap dancer.

Types of Figurative Language:

metaphor-  literally means transference in Greek.  The writer transfers qualities of one thing to another thing.  A metaphor has two parts:  A=B; something is something else.  The B part, the something else, shows how the poet feels about or sees the A part.

example:                     “Thumb”

The odd, friendless boy raised by four aunts.-  Philip Dacey

simile- from Latin and means similar.  A kind of metaphor that uses like or as to compare two things.  A is like B.

example:

Thumder threatens

Like a sound that rolls around and around

In a mean dog’s throat.

Martha Sherwood

personification:  From Greek, meaning ‘face’ or ‘mask’; a metaphor that gives human or physical qualities to an object, animal, or idea.

example:  ”The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window panes.”  T.S. Eliot

alliteration- the repetition of beginning sounds in a line:  slippery snake, fantastic photo

onomatopoeia- words that imitate the sounds made.

buzz, crunch, whoosh, flip flop, drip drop, pitter patter, sniff,

compression-  trimming the fat in writing- less is more!

deadwood-  unnecessary words that weigh your writing down.  Your goal is to BURN the wood.

Concrete nouns- nouns that use the 5 senses.

Abstract nouns- nouns that you can think about but you can’t see or touch:  hope, prejudice, Buddhism.

Symbolism-  an object or thing that stands for something else and can have multiple meanings.

Point of view-  who/what character is telling the story.

Tone-  author’s feeling or attitude toward the subject

Dialect-the local use of language.  In different parts of the country, the choice of words, how they are used, and how they are spoken can be different.

Homonym- two or more words that are pronounced the same way but have different meanings.

TYPES OF LEADS:

Descriptive Leads: These ‘set’ the scene by painting a picture in the reader’s mind. Example:   “The doorman of the Kilmarnock was six foot two.  He wore a pale blue uniform, and white gloves made his hands look enormous.  He opened the door of the yellow taxi as gently as an old maid stroking a cat.” Question Leads: These immediately draw the reader into the memoir, inviting the reader to ponder the events that lie ahead.   Example: “Where’s Pa going with that ax?” Suspense Leads: Suspense leads create curiosity in the reader’s mind and leave them wondering what will happen next. “You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you.”   Conflict Leads: Conflict leads present the central conflict to the reader for immediate consideration. At the age of six, our family was faced with a beast of a threat that would proceed to tear us apart, piece by piece..   Thematic leads     Definition:   Thematic leads hint to the reader at the ‘life’ lesson that the memoir will teach.       Example:   “I was six years old when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength.”         Your Turn: Narrator Leads: These introduce the reader to the narrator, acquainting the reader with the main character in the memoir. homonym- words that sound alike but have different meanings and different spelling Rules for Commas: 1. Use between words, phrases, or clauses in a series. ex: I ate a banana, a bagel, and a burrito today. 2. Use commas to separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence. ex: I wanted to visit my son, but I had to go to school. 3. Use commas to set off interrupters when they disrupt the normal flow of the sentence. ex: Please attend the concert tonight and, if you are able, give a standing ovation to the cello player. 4. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives tha modify the same noun. ex: My husband is a kind, thoughtful man. 5. Use commas to distinguish items in an address. ex: Do you live at 4 Peach Place, Darien, CT 06820? 6. Use commas to separate an interjection from the rest of the sentence. ex: No, I will not give you the rest of my Twix bar. 7. Use commas to separate a noun of direct address from the rest of the sentence. ex: Please Jimmy, open the window. 8. Use commas to set off the exact words of hte speaker of a sentence. ex: My music teacher said, “Please do not sing too loudly.” 9. Use commas to set off appositives. ex: My mother, an awful cook, ordered pizza every Friday night. Categories 1 Archives May 2010 January 2010 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 Blogroll Check out wordle! Guys Read Middlesex Homework Page Middlesex Resources for English Help Shelfari Teen Reads Commercials to view commercial Commercial Alphabet Commercials for Monday…. Dr.Pepper commercial circa 1970's Michael Jackson commercial Print Ad Analysis For Your Use...... Check out wordle! List of Abstract Nouns Six Word Memoir Webquest for Identity Project Homework Assistance A Closer Look at SPAM! A LINK for the Literary Terms A LIST OF ALL ROOT WORDS! A Media Literacy Quiz Bare Books Can One Person Make a Difference? FInd Mr. English: "Green Thumb" Check out last year's six word memoirs Check out wordle! Create a commercial Grammar Quizzes! List of Abstract Nouns Michael Jackson commercial Middlesex Writing Handbook Six Word Memoir Symbolism in Animals Tanka Poems Using the Web What does this word mean??????? Homework Help Check out wordle! List of Abstract Nouns Six Word Memoir What does this word mean??????? Theme: Ambiru by Phu. Blog at WordPress.com. Follow Follow “Mrs.Kelly's Sixth Grade Blog” Get every new post delivered to your Inbox. Powered by WordPress.com Example:  My earliest memory begins with Edward, as if somehow I have no life to remember before him.”