Word Choice and Tone
“The storm spoke in thunderous syllables.” What device is used here?
Personification — giving human traits to nature; it makes the tone dramatic or intense.
What does it mean when a writer acknowledges the other side?
It means the author shows they understand the other side’s opinion.
List two examples of different mediums used to convey stories.
Examples include books and movies, or podcasts and graphic novels.
Why might two news stories tell different facts about the same event?
Different sources, times, or details reported.
What is figurative language?
uses words and phrases with a non-literal meaning to create a more engaging or powerful effect.
What’s an allusion? Give a quick example.
An allusion is a quick reference to something famous, like “He’s a real Romeo.”
Name one way an author answers an opposing argument.
Rebuttal or concession (e.g., “While that’s true, here’s more evidence…”).
What’s one good and one bad thing about learning from a short video?
Good: visuals help you see ideas; Bad: not enough detail.
What is bias and how can it cause conflict?
Bias means personal opinions that twist facts.
Define "metaphor" and provide an example.
Comparing two unlike things directly, or without using like or as.
He has a heart of gold.
How does an analogy help explain something tricky?
An analogy makes an idea easier to understand by comparing it to something familiar (e.g., “A cell is like a factory”).
Claim: “Electric cars don’t go far.” Response: “New cars go over 250 miles.” Does that answer the claim well?
Partly — it gives a fact but doesn’t explain everything (like trip length or charging time).
How does the medium (e.g., text, film, audio) affect the audience's understanding of a message?
The medium affects understanding by influencing how the information is presented and perceived, such as visual elements in film or auditory elements in audio.
If an argument uses real stats but ignores other sides, what’s missing?
It’s missing counterarguments or other evidence to balance the claim.
How does simile enhance the imagery in a text?
It creates vivid mental images using comparisons between unfamiliar and familiar concepts.
Which word makes this sound sarcastic? “Of course the broken machine was a marvel of engineering.”
“Marvel” (used sarcastically because the machine is broken)
Why might an author mention the opposite view before arguing against it?
To seem fair and make their own argument stronger.
How do headings or pictures on a website help readers understand the main idea faster?
Headings and pictures help you find main ideas faster.
One study uses teens, another uses adults. Why might they find different results?
Teens and adults act differently, so results vary.
Identify the use of personification in this sentence: "The wind whispered through the trees."
wind whispered
The author calls the city a “tired giant.” What feeling or tone does that create?
“Tired giant” creates a sad or weary tone, showing the city feels old or worn down.
If an author admits the other side has a few good points, how does that make them seem more believable?
It builds credibility and makes the writer sound reasonable and trustworthy.
Give one reason social media helps research, and one reason it hurts research.
Helps: fast updates and real voices; Hurts: can be biased or unverified.
How could you tell if an author’s reasoning has a mistake or fallacy?
Look for bad logic like jumping to conclusions (hasty generalization) or twisting what someone said to make it easier to argue against (changing or exaggerating their words).
Analyze the effect of hyperbole in a piece of writing.
making a point more memorable and impactful, evoking strong emotions, adding a creative touch, and making writing more engaging or dramatic