Connotation & Denotation
What's the big idea?
Understanding Rhetoric
Name that text structure!
Argument, claims, and reasoning
100

Which words all have a negative connotation?

A. brother, green, brown

B. yelled, glared, taunted

C. bottles, concrete, sunlight

D. school, direction, glasses

B. yelled, glared, taunted

100

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

Summer is a wonderful time to spend at West Beach. It is a beach with light-colored, soft sand. The coastline goes on for a long way and many people enjoy walking along  it. Children like to play in the surf and walk along the rocks that are visible at low tide. This is a fun beach for people of all ages.

summer is a wonderful time at West Beach

100

An implied comparison between two unlike things to help readers perceive the object of the comparison more vividly, such as "her eyes are stars". 

What is a metaphor?

100

Name that text structure!

An ocelot is an animal from the cat family that lives in South America, Central America, and South Texas. Ocelots are nocturnal; they like to spend their days sleeping in bushes and fields. Their coats allow them to blend in. The ocelot earned the nickname “ghost cat” for the ability to camouflage. At one time, coats made from ocelot furs sold for as much as 40,000 dollars. The species, however, is in decline, and it is no longer legal to bring ocelots or their skins into the US.

Description

100

Name the claim!

The story of Disney's "The Lion King" draws direct inspiration from Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Simba represents Hamlet, the successor of the King/Mufasa, who swears revenge on his evil uncle Scar/Claudius. Likewise, Simba's best friend Nala represents both Ophelia, a love interest, and Horatio, a best friend.

The story of Disney's "The Lion King" draws direct inspiration from Shakespeare's "Hamlet".

200

"I ain't gonna be late because of you!" he said, as he glared at his brother. 

Based on this sentence and the word's connotation, what could the meaning of the word glared be?

A. shone with a strong or dazzling light

B. made or caused to make a loud, harsh noise.

C. stared in a fierce or angry way.

D. provoked or challenged someone with insulting remarks. 

C. stared in a fierce or angry way.

200

What is the central idea?

The movie Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995. It is an exciting story about space exploration. In the movie, the astronauts get in trouble while they are trying to return to Earth. People in the audience are on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens. What makes it even more exciting is that it is a true story.

Apollo 13 was a blockbuster for the summer of 1995

200

a direct comparison of two unlike things, often introduced by like or as, such as "strong like an ox".

What is a simile?

200

Original zoos showcased animals to a curious public. Although animals were central to the business, animal well-being was not always a priority. As naturalists noticed animal species declining in the wild, they asked zoos to work for the animals instead of having the animals work for the zoo. Answering the naturalists’ calls, zoos began to change. Instead of presenting animals to the public, zoos began serving the animals instead. Using captive species, zoo resources, and knowledge of raising exotic animals, zoos worked to save threatened species. The role of of zoos changed drastically. Zoos became leaders in animal conservation and species survival.  

Cause and effect

200

Name the claim!

According to a paper published in the journal 'Science', people in America living near coal-fired power stations are exposed to higher radiation doses than those living near nuclear power plants. In addition, despite popular belief, the production of nuclear energy results in a lower yearly death rate compared to coal energy production

Despite popular belief, nuclear energy production is actually quite a bit safer as a whole than coal-fired energy production.

300

Connotations refer to a meaning that is implied by a word. Connotations are often decided by cultural and emotional meanings. If someone called you childish, would it be considered a negative or positive connotation?

negative

300

What is the central idea?

Most teenagers and young adults do not know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. It is a big decision. There are a number of things you can do to narrow the choices. For example, you can take an interest test, do some research on your own about a career, try volunteer work in the field in which you are interested, or “job-shadow”, in which you spend a day with a person who is working in a field that interests you. These are just a few helpful ideas as you begin to choose a career.

a few ideas to help the reader choose a career

300

metaphor, simile, imagery, rhetorical question.

What are the rhetorical devices?

300

How are a carnivore and an herbivore different? A carnivore's teeth are long, sharp, and pointed. Since carnivores eat meat, their teeth are used for tearing flesh. Their jaws move up and down. Herbivores' teeth are flat-edged. Since they eat vegetation, their teeth are used for biting and grinding. An herbivore’s jaws move both up and down and side to side. These are not the only differences between animals that eat meat and animals that eat vegetation. For example, carnivores drink by lapping with their tongue; herbivores drink by sucking water up into their mouths. Carnivores and herbivores have quite a bit in common, but their differences are noticeable

Compare and contrast

300

Is this an example of inductive or deductive reasoning?

All men are mortal,
Socrates is a man,
therefore: Socrates is mortal. 

*deductive = general to specific

*inductive= specific to general

*abductive= incomplete observations to most likely conclusions

deductive

400

Which phrase has a negative connotation? 

A.a stingy person

B. a thrifty person  

A. a stingy person
400

What is the central idea?

The United States seems to be in love with the idea of going out to eat. Because of this, a real variety of restaurants has come about specializing in all kinds of foods. McDonald’s is the king of a subgroup of restaurants called fast-food restaurants. Chances are, no matter where you live, there is a McDonald’s restaurant near you. There are even McDonald’s in the Soviet Union. Now McDonald’s is trying something new. It is called McDonald’s Express and there is a test site in Peabody, Massachusetts. It is part of a Mobil gas station. This allows you to fill up with gas and fill up on food at the same time. What will they think of next?

McDonald’s is the king of fast food

400

ethos, pathos, and logos.

What are the rhetorical appeals?

400

Can’t get your parents to let you have a pet rat? Try out these compelling reasons. First, a rat does not require a lengthy commitment. Its lifespan is less than five years. Second, rats are quiet animals. Some pets such as birds are excessively noisy; this is not a problem with a pet rat. Further, parents may think that rats spread the Bubonic Plague. In truth, fleas were the culprits to spreading disease. Diseased fleas could have just as easily been a guest on a dog or a cat. Finally, rats are easily trained. A pet rat will happily sit on it owner’s shoulder. These are just a few reasons that may prompt parents to keep an open mind when they visit the pet store. Parents may find themselves pleasantly surprised by a domestic rat’s great qualities!

Problem/ solution and sequential/ steps in a process

400

What type of reasoning is this?

Premise 1: The bridge X is regularly inspected by qualified engineers.
Premise 2: Vehicles have been driving over it for years.
Conclusion:  It will be safe to drive over it tomorrow.

*deductive = general to specific

*inductive= specific to general

*abductive= incomplete observations to most likely conclusions

Inductive

500

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. 


My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.

A. thrifty

B. miserly

C. stingy

D. selfish

A. thrifty
500

What is the central idea?

Do you wear glasses? Make sure your glasses fit well. The earpieces should be at eye level. Don’t try to adjust the earpieces yourself. Take your glasses for adjustments to the place you bought them. Keep your glasses in a case when you’re not wearing them. This will prevent scratches. Keep the lenses clean. A soft cloth is best for cleaning.

Taking care of your glasses involves many steps.

How to take care of your glasses

500

Name the appeal:

"As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment will likely generate the best results."

Ethos

500

what do you do if you get bitten by a snake? First, stay calm and call for help. Most snake bites won’t require medical attention, but it is always best to be safe. Second, get a good description of the snake. A picture or a verbal description will help medical responders. Next, go to a safe spot nearby- and then remain still. While there, keep the wound below the level of your heart. The movement of venom (if there is any) will be slowed. If available, wipe the wound with a clean, damp cloth. Last, wait for medical help. Being bitten by a snake is a frightening situation, but taking these steps will ensure the best outcome.

Sequential order/steps in a process AND problem/ solution

500

All of my friends are eating the soup my sister made. 

The soup is probably tasty.


abductive reasoning