Metonymy: A term from the Greek meaning "changed label" or "substitute name," metonymy is a figure of speech in which the name of one object is substituted for that of another closely associated with it. A news release that claims "the White House declared" rather than "the President declared" is using metonymy. This term is unlikely to be used in the multiple-choice section, but you might see examples of metonymy in an essay passage.
Mood: This term has two distinct technical meanings in English writing. 1)The first meaning is grammatical and deals with verbal units and a speaker's attitude. The indicative mood is used only for factual sentences. For example, "Joe eats too quickly." The subjunctive mood is used for a doubtful or conditional attitude. For example, "If I were you, I'd get another job." The imperative mood is used for commands. For example, "Shut the front door!" 2) The second meaning of mood is literary, meaning the prevailing atmosphere or emotional aura of a work. Setting, tone, and events can affect the mood. In this usage, mood is similar to tone and atmosphere.
Narrative: The telling of a story or an account of an event or series of events.
Onomatopoeia: A figure of speech in which natural sounds are imitated in the sounds of words. Simple examples include such words as buzz, hiss, hum, crack, whinny, and murmur. This term is not used in the multiple-choice section. If you identify examples of onomatopoeia in an essay passage, not the effect.
Oxymoron: From the Greek for "pointedly foolish," an oxymoron is a figure of speech wherein the author groups apparently contradictory terms to suggest a paradox. Simple examples include "jumbo shrimp," and "cruel kindness." This term does not appear in the multiple-choice questions, but there is a slight chance you will see it used by an author in an essay passage or find it useful in your own essay writing.
Paradox: A statement that appears to be self-contradictory or opposed to common sense but upon closer inspection contains some degree of truth or validity. The first scene of Macbeth, for example, closes with the witches' cryptic remark "Fair is fowl, and foul is fair..."
Parallelism: Also referred to as parallel construction or parallel structure, this term comes from Greek roots meaning "beside one another." It refers to the grammatical or rhetorical framing of words, phrases, sentences, or paragraphs to give structural similarity. This can involve, but is not limited to, repetition of a grammatical element such as a preposition or verbal phrase. A famous example of parallelism begins "Charles Dickens' novel A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity..." The effects of parallelism are numerous, but frequently, they act as an organizing force to attract the reader's attention, add emphasis and organization, or simply to provide a musical rhythm.
Parody: A work that closely imitates the style or content of another with the specific aim of comic effect and/or ridicule. As comedy, parody distorts or exaggerates distinctive features of the original. As ridicule, it mimics the work by repeating and borrowing words, phrases, or characteristics in order to illuminate weaknesses in the original. Well written parody offers enlightenment about the original, but poorly written parody offers only ineffectual imitation. Usually an audience must grasp literary allusion and understand the work being parodied in order to fully appreciate the nuances of the newer work. Occasionally, however, parodies take on a life of their own and don't require knowledge of the original.
Pedantic: An adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.
Periodic Sentence: A sentence that presents its central meaning in a main clause at the end. This independent clause is preceded by a phrase or clause that cannot stand alone. For example, "Ecstatic with my AP score, I let out a loud shout of joy!" The effect of a periodic sentence is to add emphasis and structural variety.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Friday, September 11, 2015
Remembering September 11th (AP Language Homework)
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gwbush911addresstothenation.htm
Several Minute Essay #2
This week we began with the discussion of the piece "What They Saw at the Holocaust Museum," which dealt with how museums can either help people understand events better or can turn them off to understanding events. I then had you analyze different speeches given at significant times in history and break them down using the "Rhetorical Triangle" chart.
After watching George W. Bush's speech given the evening of September 11, 2001, using the concepts from the "Rhetorical Triangle" (communicator, audience, message), tell me whether his speech would rank on the same level as the speech you analyzed this week in class.
You can include your personal opinion, but try to remain as objective as possible by using specific examples from his speech or the speech you analyzed.
Due Tuesday, September 15th
**P.S. I forgot to ask the class whether you want to work next week on Jonathan Edward's homily, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," or the short story by Hawthorne, "The Minister's Black Veil."
If you can post a comment below letting me know which one you would prefer I would appreciate it. I will tally up the responses on Monday (teacher work day) and we will work on the one with the most votes.
We will cover both, I just wanted to give you all the choice of which one to do first. :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
AP Terms (21-30)
Generic Conventions: This term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions (established and universally accepted traditions) help define each genre; for example, they differentiate between an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. On the AP Language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention.
Genre: The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are: 1)Prose, 2) Poetry, and 3) Drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels, short stories, etc.) or non-fiction (essays, biographies, etc.) Poetry can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc. Drama can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc. On the AP Language exam, expect the majority of the passages to be from the following genres: autobiography, biography, diaries, letters, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.
Homily: This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
Hyperbole: A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony at the same time.
Imagery: The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile (touch), gustatory (taste), or olfactory (smell) imagery. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may represent visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks. An author, therefore, may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially simile and metaphor. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work. On the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of that imagery.
Inference / Infer: To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple-choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice. If an inference is implausible, it's unlikely to be the correct answer. NOTE: If the answer choice is directly stated in the passage, it is not inferred, and is therefore the wrong answer!
Invective: An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.
Irony / Ironic: The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: 1) in verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. 2) In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen. 3) In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. Irony is used for many reasons, but frequently, it's used to create poignancy or humor.
Loose Sentence: A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational.
Metaphor: A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.
Genre: The major category into which a literary work fits. The basic divisions of literature are: 1)Prose, 2) Poetry, and 3) Drama. However, genre is a flexible term; within these broad boundaries exist many subdivisions that are often called genres themselves. For example, prose can be divided into fiction (novels, short stories, etc.) or non-fiction (essays, biographies, etc.) Poetry can be divided into lyric, dramatic, narrative, epic, etc. Drama can be divided into tragedy, comedy, melodrama, farce, etc. On the AP Language exam, expect the majority of the passages to be from the following genres: autobiography, biography, diaries, letters, criticism, essays, and journalistic, political, scientific, and nature writing.
Homily: This term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.
Hyperbole: A figure of speech using deliberate exaggeration or overstatement. Hyperboles often have a comic effect; however, a serious effect is also possible. Often, hyperbole produces irony at the same time.
Imagery: The sensory details or figurative language used to describe, arouse emotion, or represent abstractions. On a physical level, imagery uses terms related to the five senses; we refer to visual, auditory, tactile (touch), gustatory (taste), or olfactory (smell) imagery. On a broader and deeper level, however, one image can represent more than one thing. For example, a rose may represent visual imagery while also representing the color in a woman's cheeks. An author, therefore, may use complex imagery while simultaneously employing other figures of speech, especially simile and metaphor. In addition, this term can apply to the total of all the images in a work. On the AP exam, pay attention to how an author creates imagery and to the effect of that imagery.
Inference / Infer: To draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented. When a multiple-choice question asks for an inference to be drawn from a passage, the most direct, most reasonable inference is the safest answer choice. If an inference is implausible, it's unlikely to be the correct answer. NOTE: If the answer choice is directly stated in the passage, it is not inferred, and is therefore the wrong answer!
Invective: An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation or attack using strong, abusive language.
Irony / Ironic: The contrast between what is stated explicitly and what is really meant. The difference between what appears to be and what actually is true. In general, there are three major types of irony used in language: 1) in verbal irony, the words literally state the opposite of the writer's (or speaker's) true meaning. 2) In situational irony, events turn out the opposite of what was expected. What the characters and readers think ought to happen is not what does happen. 3) In dramatic irony, facts or events are unknown to a character in a play or piece of fiction but known to the reader, audience, or other characters in the work. Irony is used for many reasons, but frequently, it's used to create poignancy or humor.
Loose Sentence: A type of sentence in which the main idea (independent clause) comes first, followed by dependent grammatical units such as phrases and clauses. If a period were placed at the end of the independent clause, the clause would be a complete sentence. A work containing many loose sentences often seems informal, relaxed, and conversational.
Metaphor: A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things or the substitution of one for the other, suggesting some similarity. Metaphorical language makes writing more vivid, imaginative, thought provoking, and meaningful.
Friday, September 4, 2015
AP Class Reading for Labor Day
Remember to read "What They Saw at the Holocaust Museum" pg 337-341 in the Sundance Reader before you come to class on Tuesday, September 8th.
Focus on the mental frame of mind the writer is in. What is the atmosphere / tone?
Come to class ready to discuss.
Focus on the mental frame of mind the writer is in. What is the atmosphere / tone?
Come to class ready to discuss.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for all 10th grade classes
To all my 10th grade English students:
By next Thursday, September 10th I must have, from each of you, either a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Contract or a Tablet Rental Contract.
It is SO important you are getting a grade for it.
I will have copies of both contracts available so you can take it home this weekend and get it signed. If you are going to rent a tablet you also have to make sure you pay the fee by Thursday because on Friday, September 11th the tablets will be distributed.
Here is the link to the BYOD contract if you lost or misplaced it:
http://digital.dadeschools.net/pdfs/7523.pdf
Here is the link to the BYOD contract if you lost or misplaced it:
http://digital.dadeschools.net/pdfs/7523.pdf
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest
To any of my students who would be interested in entering the Florida Hispanic Heritage essay contest:
Please come and see me for the topic details, application and other requirements.
The winner from 9-12 grade students will receive a scholarship.
The deadline is September 15th!
Please come and see me for the topic details, application and other requirements.
The winner from 9-12 grade students will receive a scholarship.
The deadline is September 15th!
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