Diction & Tone
Is the diction in the following sentence formal or informal? Which words tell you?
I'd have to say that anyone who wants to live on Mars is pretty crazy!
informal
I'd, pretty crazy
What is the author's purpose of the following passage?
In ancient Greece, the typical home was small—just two or three rooms. Larger homes included a kitchen, a bathroom, several bedrooms, and a dining room for men, or andron. Some larger homes also included a separate room for women, or gynaeceum.
Large or small, homes in ancient Greece were usually made of sun-dried bricks and constructed around an open courtyard. From the outside, they appeared rather plain, with just a door and a few small windows set high in the walls.
to describe what homes looked like in ancient Greece
What is the meaning of this simile?
To Clara, her new town was like another planet.
Her new town was strange and different
Name the parts of an argument
claim, evidence, reasoning, counterclaim and rebuttal
Although people continue to debate whether competive gamers should be considered athletes, there is no argument that the esports industry continues to gain momentum. A growning number of universities have field teams that compete in esports leagues.
What is the meaning of momentum as used in the passage?
forward motion or progress
What is tone?
the author's attitude toward their subject or audience
What is the author's purpose of the following passage?
In summer, the adult common loon has an iridescent black head, a black bill, and a white band around its neck. Its back is checkered with black and white feathers, while its belly is all white. In winter, the loon's bill fades to gray. Its winter plumage is gray on the back and head, while the breast, belly, and wings are white.
to describe the common loon
What is the meaning of the metaphor?
The news that Spencer's friends were moving to town was music to his ears.
The news is pleasant to Spencer
Define "claim"
the position the author takes
The cookiecutter shark has serrated teeth along it lower jaw, which look like a row or sharp white triangles. They use these to say through their prey.
What is the meaning of serrated as used in the passage?
sawlike
What words (diction) show a hopeful tone.
I began to watch the bird out of boredom; I ended in keen excitement. The sight of it seemed to open up my eyes. I realized the zest of liberty, the passion of life again. I felt that beyond this dim underworld there was the great joyous earth, and I longed for it. I wanted to live now.
excitement, zest, passion, joyous
What is the author's purpose?
Show your support for Allenville's co-ed soccer team! Help us raise funds for the new, state-of-the-art soccer stadium by purchasing a personalized paving brick. These elegant granite bricks will be laid right at the new stadium in downtown Allenville. At no extra cost, you can even choose an inscription to immortalize a business, family member, or friend. Each brick is only $100, and all funds will go toward permit fees and construction costs. Help us reach our goal!
To persuade people to buy a brick
What does this simile tell you?
They talked like their mouths were full of rubber bands!
The way people talked was unusual.
Define "evidence"
a quote from a reliable source. (a fact, example, or quotation)
The Silk Road both facilitated the exchange of goods and allowed people in cities along the routes to trade ideas with other cultures.
What is the meaning of facilitate as used in the passage?
make easier or to bring out
What words (diction) create a threatening tone?
they could feel the cold as it crept in through the cracks, reaching out for them with its icy, death-dealing fingers; and they would crouch and cower, and try to hide from it, all in vain. It would come, and it would come; a grisly thing, a specter born in the black caverns of terror.
cold cept in, death-dealing fingers, cower, grisly, cavern of terror
What is the author's purpose?
The outcome of this presidential election will affect every citizen and determine what kind of country we live in for years to come. In the past, presidential elections have changed the nation's course in everything from health care and employment to matters of security and war. This election will be no different.
to persuade readers to vote
What does this example of personification tell you?
I thought of what Uncle said about gold being a curse. I felt it reaching out with invisible hands to twist people's hearts and minds. It's made everyone crazy.
People are changing in a bad way
Define "counterclaim"
opposing viewpoints
Though many people today still understandably maintain an aversion to snakes and prefer to avoid them. others enjoy keeping them as pets.
What is the meaning of aversion as it is used in the passage?
a feeling of intense dislike
Which words show a disgusted tone?
His thin lips were constantly compressed into a rude - it might almost be called a vicious- smile. A special feature of his face was its death-like paleness, which gave the whole man a starved appearance in spite of his hard look.
rude, vicious, death-like, starved
What is the author's purpose?
Call of the Wild has been arranging five-star luxury safaris in Tanzania for more than twenty years. We customize every tour to the particular needs and desires of our clients. Do you want to see the majestic wildlife in Serengeti National Park? Climb Kilimanjaro? Visit Ngorongoro Crater? Do all three? We have the safari package for you—at a price that fits your budget. Tame your thirst for adventure with Call of the Wild. Our office has a dedicated staff ready to take your call. Book your luxury safari today!
to persuade readers to go on a Safari
What does this example of personification tell you?
They had left the silver glint of a biting autumn evening; and now around them everything was golden with light.
The evening is painfully cold.
define "rebuttal"
response to a coutner claim and why it is wrong
Bear cams capture snapshots of daily life in Katmai National park in Alaska. it shows hlking bears tussling over the best fishing spots and cute cuts trailing after their mothers. The bears captivate millions of viewsers who tune in to watch the footage.
What is the maing of captivate as used in the passage?
to appeal or fascinate