Figurative Language
Read this sentence: "The old house stood like a skeletal guard, watching the neighborhood with hollow eyes." * Question A: What two types of figurative language are used here?
Simile ("like a skeletal guard") and Personification ("watching with hollow eyes").
What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?
Direct characterization is when the author explicitly tells the reader what a character is like (e.g., "He was a tall boy" ). Indirect characterization is when the author shows a character's personality through their speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks (STEAL).
"The crowd was ebullient; they were so cheerful and full of energy that you could hear their shouting from three blocks away."
Question: Based on the sentence, what does ebullient mean?
Cheerful and full of energy.
If a professional fire station burns down, why is this considered situational irony?
Because there is a total contrast between what you expect (firemen put out fires) and what actually happened (their own building caught fire).
If a character enters a room soaking wet and carrying a broken umbrella, what is the most logical inference you can make about the setting?
It is raining outside and the weather is likely stormy/windy.
"The golden sun kissed the meadow, and the flowers danced in the gentle breeze."
Question: How does the personification in this sentence affect the mood?
It creates a peaceful, happy, and lighthearted mood.
In "Stop the Sun," the author describes Terry's father's eyes "going away" and his "breath coming in short, hot pants like some kind of hurt animal". Is this direct or indirect characterization, and what does it reveal?
It reveals his intense internal trauma and vulnerability without the author explicitly stating he has PTSD.
"Unlike his sister, who was always gregarious, Mark was very shy and preferred to spend his time alone."
Question: Using the contrast in the sentence, what does gregarious mean?
Sociable or fond of company.
If an author repeatedly mentions a climb up a steep mountain, what abstract idea might this symbolize?
It typically symbolizes a difficult journey, an emotional struggle, or the process of overcoming a major obstacle.
The author uses words like "eerie," "shadowy," and "whispering" to describe a forest. Is this an example of mood or tone?
Mood (it describes the atmosphere/feeling created for the reader).
"After the long hike, my legs were lead weights."
Question: This is a metaphor that includes a sense of hyperbole. What is the author trying to communicate about the character’s physical state?
That the character is extremely exhausted and their legs feel incredibly heavy and difficult to move.
What makes a character "dynamic" in a story?
A dynamic character undergoes a significant internal change, such as a change in perspective, values, or personality, as a result of the plot's events.
"The detective noticed several minuscule scratches near the lock that were so small they could only be seen with a magnifying glass."
Question: What does minuscule mean in this context?
Extremely small.
How can a reader tell if an object in a story is a symbol rather than just a regular prop?
Look for repetition (the object appears often), emphasis (the author describes it in great detail), or placement (it appears at a major turning point or climax).
The words "cheap" and "inexpensive" have the same denotation (low cost), but which one has a more negative connotation?
"Cheap" (it implies low quality, not just low price).
Simile vs. Comparison: Read these two sentences:
A) He looks like his father. * B) He is like a lion in battle.
Question: Which one is a true literary simile, and why?
B is the simile. Sentence A is a literal comparison (two people looking alike). Sentence B compares two unlike things (a human and a lion) to show the trait of bravery.
What does STEAL stand for in indirect characterization?
Speach, thoughts, effect on others, actions, looks.
Prefix Inter- (Between/Among): "The coach emphasized that interpersonal skills were just as important as physical talent when working as a team."
Question: Based on the prefix inter-, what are interpersonal skills?
Skills used between or among people.
An author describes a character constantly checking a watch that has stopped ticking. What could this symbolize about the character's life?
It symbolizes being "stuck in the past" or a refusal to move forward after a specific event.
In many stories, a "sunrise" is used as a symbol. What does a sunrise typically represent in a story's theme?
A new beginning, hope, or a fresh start.
On an assessment, you might see: "The author uses the phrase 'the engine roared to life.' What is the effect of this onomatopoeia/personification?"
It emphasizes the power and sudden energy of the machine, making it seem like a living, breathing force.
Is Terry's father a static or dynamic character in this story? Explain why.
He is largely a static character. While he shares his story, his internal state does not change; he ends the story still feeling "dead" inside and believing he will never be "truly normal". Terry is the dynamic character because his perspective and feelings toward his father undergo a major shift.
Prefix Fore- (Before): "The dark clouds served as a forewarning that a massive storm was approaching."
Question: What does the prefix fore- tell you about a forewarning?
It is a warning that comes "before" the event happens.
How does an author use symbolism to develop a story's theme?
Symbols often represent the core values or lessons of the story; by tracking how a symbol changes (e.g., a dying plant that eventually blooms), the reader can identify the author's message about growth or hope.
Read the description of the father’s memory: "We were crossing the paddy, and it was dark, still dark, you couldn't see the end of your nose. There was a light rain, a mist..." What is the mood of this specific scene?
The mood is eerie, tense, and suffocating. The author’s use of sensory details like the "still dark" and "mist" creates a feeling of isolation and impending danger for the reader.