Irony
Define situational irony in one sentence and give a brief example.
Situational irony is the irony of something happening that is very different to what was expected. Some everyday examples of situational irony are a fire station burning down, or someone posting on Twitter that social media is a waste of time.
Define direct characterization.
Direct characterization, is a method of describing the character in a straightforward manner: through their physical description (i.e. blue eyes), their line of work (i.e. lawyer), and their passions and outside pursuits (i.e. voracious reader).
Define connotation
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
Define alliteration and give an original example.
Bob bribes Billy to bring him a bologna biscuit.
Define "theme" in literature.
Theme is the central message, insight, or underlying idea that a literary work conveys about life, society, or human nature.
Define dramatic irony and give a short example from a well-known play, film, or novel.
Dramatic irony put simply, is when the audience knows something that the characters in your film or T.V. series don't.
Define indirect characterization.
Indirect characterization is a method of indicating what a character is like by revealing their personality through descriptions of their actions, speech, appearance, and interactions with other characters.
Provide two synonyms with different connotations and explain the difference.
Example answer:
Identify the figurative language in the sentence:
"Her smile was as bright as the morning sun, warming everyone around her."
Simile
Distinguish theme from topic with a short example.
Define verbal irony and give an example
Verbal irony involves saying one thing but meaning the opposite.
Through dialogue, we discover that Emma always compliments others and avoids conflict. What type of characterization is this?
Indirect Characterization
Explain how connotation affects tone in a passage and provide an example.
Identify the figurative language in the sentence:
"He was drowning in paperwork, buried under a mountain of forms."
Hyperbole
Passage:
"The old oak stood at the edge of the field, its branches reaching skyward like pleading arms. Generations had picnicked beneath its shade, carved initials into its bark, and whispered secrets to its roots. Now, bulldozers roared in the distance, and the tree trembled as the earth shook. Progress was coming, and it had no voice to protest."
Options:
A) Nature is powerless against human ambition.
B) Friendship lasts forever.
C) Technology always improves life.
D) Trees are important for shade.
A) Nature is powerless against human ambition
Explanation: The passage emphasizes the tree’s history and helplessness as bulldozers approach, highlighting the conflict between nature and progress—not friendship or shade.
Name that irony:
A student laughs at someone for failing a test, then fails the next one themselves.
Situational Irony
We learn that Jake is selfish because he refuses to share his lunch with a hungry friend.
Indirect Characterization
Rewrite a neutral sentence to change its tone by altering word connotation (positive or negative).
The man spoke about his ideas.
Identify the figurative language in the sentence:
"Time is a thief that steals our happiest moments."
Metaphor
Passage:
"Lena watched the train disappear into the horizon, clutching the letter in her hand. She had begged him to stay, but ambition had pulled him away. The fields around her were quiet now, and she wondered if dreams were worth the silence they left behind."
Options:
A) Love conquers all.
B) Ambition can create distance between people.
C) Hard work always leads to happiness.
D) Nature heals all wounds.
B) Ambition can create distance between people
Explanation: The passage emphasizes ambition pulling someone away and the resulting loneliness, not love conquering or nature healing.
In Romeo and Juliet, the audience knows Juliet is alive, but Romeo does not.
Dramatic Irony
“He was a tall man, with a brown face, and dark eyes, and a moustache.” — The Great Gatsby
Direct Characterization
Analyze diction in the passage and explain how connotation shapes reader response.
Example:
"The politician smiled broadly, flashing his perfect teeth as he promised change."
Analysis: Words like smiled broadly and flashing his perfect teeth carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting insincerity or artificial charm. This diction shapes the reader’s response by making the politician seem fake rather than trustworthy.
Identify the figurative language in the sentence:
"The wind whispered secrets through the trees as night fell."
Personification
Identify the theme and how specific details across a longer passage develop it.
"He counted his coins every night, ignoring his family’s laughter in the next room. When he finally bought the mansion, he found himself eating alone."
Details like counting coins and ignoring laughter show obsession with wealth, while eating alone emphasizes isolation. Together, these details develop the theme: Greed can lead to loneliness.