English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Classify the figure of speech: review
Classify the figure of speech: review
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between literal and figurative language in complex literary texts.
Accurately identify and classify at least ten distinct figures of speech, including metaphor, synecdoche, metonymy, litotes, apostrophe, and paradox.
Analyze the specific function and effect of a given figure of speech within a passage from American literature.
Evaluate how an author's choice of figurative language contributes to the overall tone, theme, and characterization of a text.
Synthesize analysis of multiple figures of speech to construct a cohesive argument about an author's style or purpose.
Articulate the subtle distinctions between related figures of speech, such as metonymy and synecdoche, or paradox and oxymoron.
Ever wonder why calling a busy city a...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
MetonymyA figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept.In the phrase 'The pen is mightier than the sword,' 'pen' represents writing/diplomacy and 'sword' represents military force.
SynecdocheA figure of speech in which a part of something is used to represent the whole, or the whole is used to represent a part.The phrase 'all hands on deck' uses 'hands' (a part) to refer to the sailors (the whole).
LitotesAn ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.Saying 'The journey was not a short one' to emphasize that the journey was very long.
ApostropheA figure of speech in which a sp...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Part for Whole' vs. 'Associated Concept' Test
If the word used is a physical part of the larger thing it represents, it's synecdoche. If the word is a closely associated concept or object but not a physical part, it's metonymy.
Use this rule to differentiate between synecdoche and metonymy. 'Wheels' for a car is synecdoche (part for whole). 'The Crown' for the monarchy is metonymy (associated object for concept).
The 'Statement vs. Phrase' Test
A paradox is a full statement or proposition that seems contradictory. An oxymoron is a two-word phrase that combines contradictory terms.
This helps distinguish between paradox and oxymoron. 'I must be cruel to be kind' is a paradoxical statement. 'Cruel...
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Challenging
A political speech declares, 'We must get the boots on the ground.' A critic argues this is synecdoche, while another claims it is metonymy. Based on the tutorial's rules, which argument is stronger and why?
A.Metonymy is stronger, because 'boots' are an object closely associated with soldiers.
B.Synecdoche is stronger, because 'boots' are a part of the soldier's uniform and thus represent the whole soldier.
C.Both are equally valid as the terms are interchangeable.
D.Neither is correct; this is a clear example of personification.
Challenging
An author's style is characterized by frequent use of metonymy (e.g., 'Hollywood is releasing a new blockbuster') and litotes (e.g., 'The film was not without its flaws'). Synthesizing the typical effects of these devices, what overall tone is this author most likely trying to create?
A.passionate, emotional, and direct tone.
B.whimsical, fantastical, and imaginative tone.
C.detached, intellectual, and subtly critical tone.
D.simple, folksy, and conversational tone.
Challenging
Analyze the line from John Milton: 'The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.' How does the chiasmus in the second clause reinforce the paradoxical idea presented in the first clause?
A.The chiasmus simplifies the idea by repeating key words in the same order.
B.The chiasmus has no relationship to the first clause; it is purely for decoration.
C.The inverted structure of the chiasmus (A-B, B-A) mirrors the mind's power to invert reality, thus structurally demonstrating the paradox that the mind can transform one state into its opposite.
D.The chiasmus creates an example of litotes, understating the power of the mind.
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