Lin-by-Line Meaning
Line: "The clock face offered hours in a slow, perpetual stream." Which of the following best paraphrases this line?
A. Time is moving quickly.
B. The clock is broken.
C. Time is passing slowly and continuously.
D. The stream is moving fast.
C. Time is passing slowly and continuously.
Identify the device in the line: "The stars were like a handful of scattered glitter."
Simile
"The sun rose, bold and bright, promising a glorious day to all who dared to meet it." Which word best describes the tone of this line?
A. Tired
B. Optimistic
C. Angry
D. Gloomy
B. Optimistic
Other than the TAG, what other 2 elements should your thesis statement include?
Theme Statement (What you will prove)
So What? (Why this is important to us/ Connection to the human condition)
Connotative Choice: Why would the author choose "naked" instead of "exposed"?
"The old house stood, utterly naked to the storm."
Stronger emotional effect - naked has a connotation of vulnerability, shame, defencelessness,
"He spoke of dawn, but kept his eyes on the floor; / a promise that felt heavy, like a leaden door."
What can the reader infer about the speaker's feeling toward the promise?
A. Burdensome or unlikely to be kept.
B. Easy to keep.
C. Excited
D. Focused on the sunrise.
A. Burdensome or unlikely to be kept.
Identify the device in the phrase: "She sells seashells by the seashore."
Alliteration
The tone created by words like vast, endless, miracle, and explore would most likely be:
A. Excited
B. Wonder
C. Aggressive
D. Silly
B. Wonder
What is the purpose of TAG in the opening of an analytical response?
To introduce the text being discussed and establish context.
Line: "The politician's words were slippery as wet stone." What effect (Rule 3) does the simile create on the reader?
It makes the reader feel that the politician is unreliable, deceitful, hard to grasp, or cannot be trusted.
"The truth was a cold coin pressed against his open palm."
What does this line suggest about the nature of the truth?
A. It is valuable and rare.
B. It is shiny and metallic.
C. It is an imaginary object.
D. It is unpleasant, solid, and undeniable.
D. It is unpleasant, solid, and undeniable.
What device is used: "The old door groaned in protest"
Personification
If a speaker is describing a battlefield using words like glorious, valiant, and honor, what is the overall tone?
Reverent or Respectful
Solemn or important, grand, serious, sad
In the PETAL structure, what is the Evidence (E) that must be included?
A direct quote of paraphrase from the poem (textual support)
"A host of golden daffodils; ...
"Ten thousand saw I at a glance...
"What wealth the show to me had brought"
The author chose to use hyperbole. What effect (Rule 3) does this create?
Host - (noun) a large number of people or things
It emphasizes the overwhelming number and magnitude of the flowers, showing the speaker's awe/delight.
"We built our castles high upon the sand / Believing in the permanence of youth; / But tide, the patient landlord of the land, / Reminded us of time's unyielding truth."
What is the central message?
A. Youthful endeavors are temporary and cannot escape time/aging.
B. A Youthful spirit never dies
C. A young person partakes in immature activities
D. Aging leads to regret
A. Youthful endeavors are temporary and cannot escape time/aging.
Give the definition and a common example of a symbol in poetry
An object, person, or event that stands for something larger than itself Example: a dove for peace
Explain the difference between the Tone and the Mood
Tone is what the author feels; mood is what the readers feel
The "L" can connect the analysis back to various elements. Name 2.
The Thesis/Theme of the essay
The main Point of the paragraph.
Historical context of the time
The author's background
Line: "My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains / My sense." How does the oxymoron "drowsy numbness pains" serve the author's purpose (Rule 1) about grief?
It shows a paradoxical state of suffering - you feel emotions intensely, but at the same time, you are also emotionally drained, paralyzed, dulled
"The ambulance arrived with quiet, deafening speed."
What technique is used, and what does the line suggest about the atmosphere?
A. Simile; calm.
B. Personification; chaotic.
C. Oxymoron; urgent.
D. Alliteration; loud.
C. Oxymoron; urgent.
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness."
Part 1: Name the sound device present in the example, other than alliteration. (250 points)
Part 2: What is the effect of that device? (250 points)
A. To confuse the reader with difficult language.
B. To create a soothing, calm, and harmonious sound that reflects the peace of autumn
C. To remind the reader of a harsh, cold winter approaching.
D. To emphasize the urgency and speed of the season.
Part 1: Euphony
Part 2: B. To create a soothing, calm, and harmonious sound that reflects the peace of autumn
In the shift from "The path was clear and bright with sun" to "Then shadows fell, and the birds went silent," How have the tone and setting both changed?
Tone shifted from positive to foreboding; Setting shifted from light to dark
What important elements should be included in your Analysis (A)?
A full explanation the quote
Author’s purpose
Author’s choice
Effect of the choice
Explain how Rule 1 (Purpose) and Rule 2 (Choice) are connected in your analytical writing.
The Choice (Rule 2: a metaphor, a word, etc.) is the technique used by the author to achieve their overall Purpose (Rule 1: the theme or message). Analysis must connect the two.