Literary Devices
Identify the difference between similes and metaphors.
What is using like/as ?
An argument relies heavily on expert testimony but ignores emotional impact. Which appeal dominates?
What is ethos?
“The terrain was rugged—full of jagged rocks and steep cliffs.”
What does rugged mean?
What is difficult?
Explain the difference: connotation vs. denotation in one sentence.
What is: denotation is the literal meaning, while connotation is the emotional/associated meaning?
A character who acts as a contrast to highlight another character’s traits is called this.
What is a foil?
Identify the literary devices.
The wind whispered through the trees.
What is personification?
A speaker uses a personal story to connect emotionally and build trust. Which TWO appeals are being used?
What are pathos and ethos?
"The teacher’s reprimand was stern, not harsh but clearly serious.”
What does reprimand mean?
What is a scolding/correction?
The root “bene-” helps determine the meaning of this word: “benevolent.”
What does benevolent mean?
What is kind/good-hearted?
If a narrator knows all characters’ thoughts and feelings, the point of view is this.
What is third-person omniscient?
Identify the 2 kinds of literary device being used:
The silence screamed between them.
What is oxymoron and personification?
An argument includes accurate data but is presented by a source with a clear bias or lack of expertise. Which appeal is undermined?
What is ethos?
“The once-vibrant town was now desolate, abandoned and eerily quiet.”
What does desolate mean?
What is empty/lifeless?
The root “cred” appears in “credible,” “credit,” and “incredulous.” What does this root mean?
What is “to believe” or “trust”?
When a reader uses clues and prior knowledge to draw a conclusion not directly stated, they are doing this.
What is making an inference?
What is motif?
A writer opens with a personal anecdote, then transitions into research-based claims. How does this shift impact the effectiveness of the argument?
What is: it builds pathos/ethos first, making the audience more receptive to logos?
“The solution seemed plausible, though not everyone was convinced it would work.”
What does plausible mean?
What is believable/possible?
Identify the error: “The speech had a good affect on the audience.”
What is: “affect” should be “effect”?
An author repeatedly describes a setting as “cold,” “gray,” and “silent.” How does this contribute to the text’s meaning?
What is it reinforces mood and may symbolize isolation, emptiness, or emotional distance?
Define dramatic irony.
What is the characters in the story do not know something, but the audience does?
A claim relies on fear-based language (“This will destroy our future”) without sufficient evidence. Identify the appeal AND evaluate its effectiveness.
What is pathos, and it may be ineffective or manipulative because it lacks supporting logos?
“The once ubiquitous payphones have nearly vanished, replaced by personal cell phones.”
What does ubiquitous mean?
What is found everywhere/widespread?
A brief reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature.
What is an allusion?
Short, choppy sentences begin to replace longer ones during a tense scene. How does this impact suspense?
What is it increases pacing and creates urgency, building tension?