Figurative Language

Step One: Read the poem, "The Hound" and answer the following questions.

Metaphor: a direct comparison made between two unlike things. 

The Hound

Life the hound
Equivocal                    (open to more than one interpretation)
Comes at a bound
Either to rend me        (to pull something apart violently)
Or to befriend me.
I cannot tell
The hounds intent
Til he has sprung
At my bare hand
With teeth or tongue    (does the hound approach in a violent way or friendly way)
Meanwhile I stand
And wait the event.

Robert Francis (1901-1987)

Activity:

1. What is life compared to?
2. How is life (a hound) equivocal?  What does this mean?
3. Explain what the extended metaphor in this poem means.
4. What is the action the speaker takes?  What is he able to do?

Step Two: Read the definition of personification.  Complete the activity following the poem.

Personification: giving the attributes of a human being to an animal, an object or a concept.  It is a subtype of metaphor, an implied comparison in which the figurative term of the comparison is always a human being.

The poem, "Mirror"(p. 5) uses personification when the poet gives the mirror the ability to speak and think.

Activity:


1. Find a poem that uses a good example of personification.  Copy the poem. You may either use your text book or you may use online resources.
2. Explain how the personification makes your poem effective.


Step Three:  Read the poem and complete the activity.

Simile: A comparison of two unlike things which uses the words "like" or "as."

Getting Through

Like a car stuck in gear,
a chicken too stupid to tell
it's head is gone,
or sound ratcheting on
long after the film
has jumped the reel,
or a phone
ringing and ringing
in the house they have all
moved away from,
through rooms where dust
is a deepening skin,
and the locks unneeded,
so I go on loving you,
my heart blundering on,
a muscle spilling out
what is no longer wanted,
and my words hurtling past,
like a train off its track,
toward a boarded up station,
closed for years,
like some last speaker
of a beautiful language
no one else can hear.

Deborah Pope

Activity:
1. Create a list of the similies used to describe the poet's emotions. 
2. What do all of these comparisons have in common?  What do they mean?
3. Paraphrase the poem (explain what the poem is about in your own words). Use full sentences. 

Dulce et Decorum Est

Todays Assignment: DUE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2010 (except final paragraph)

“Dulce Et Decorum Est” William Owen


Step One:  First Reading

• Before you read, you will need to know that the Latin phrase "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" means "It is sweet and becoming to die for one's country."
• Read the poem, "Dulce et Decorum Est," on pages 7-8 in your Sound and Sense textbook.

Step Two: Understanding "Dulce et Decorum Est"

• Click on the three links below for additional information on the poem.  (You can borrow headphones from the library--there may not be enough for everyone, so you may have to share).
• Dulce et Decorum Est Video
• Click on this link for Notes On The Poem.  To extend your understanding of Wilfred Owen, there are links included on the page to his biography and other information (optional).
• Click on this link for a Mini Lesson On the Poem (if you don't have headphones you can view subtitles on the slideshow.)

Step Three:

• 1. Complete the Multiple Choice quiz. You may use your text book to help you. You may also work quietly with other students and discuss your ideas.  This quiz is meant to HELP you think and understand the poem better.  It is for marks.

Step Four:  Questions

•  Answer questions 1-4 at the end of the poem using full sentences.

               Question #4 Notes:
              - Plural pronouns are “we” and “our"
             - Singular pronouns are “I” , “my” and “you”


Step Five: Understanding a Poem

•  Complete the “Understanding a Poem” worksheet.

Step Six: Mini Analysis Due: Thursday, December 16. 

• In 200-250 words discuss the tone, mood and imagery in the poem. Use specific quotes from the poem to support your ideas.
• Click on the "Dulce et Decorum Est" Mini Analysis page in the right hand margin of this blog for a guide and example.

Exam Details

Part A: Poetry
This section tests your abilities in reading a poem for the first time and discussing its merits in ideas and craftsmaship in writing.

Review poetry terms and be able to give examples of each. You will have some multiple choice questions as well as a written response.

Make sure you include a thesis statement that guides the reader.

Review how to incorporate quotes into your writing (syntactic coherence).

Use the Claim it, Quote it, Explain it technique when discussing a poem.

• Make a statement (Claim)
• Find a quote that supports your claim *(Quote)
• Explain how the quote supports your claim. (Explain)

Part B: Prose
This section tests your abilities in reading a short story for the first time, and discussing its merits in ideas and craftsmanship in writing.

Review the Short Story key terms (yellow handout).

You will be asked to write a multi-paragraphed response (at least three paragraphs).
Introduce your idea and lead to a thesis statement.
Each section of the thesis should be a separate paragraph.
End with a concluding paragraph which summarizes, but does not say, "In conclusion..."

Part C: Composition

A 300 word original, multi-paragraphed composition. Please use the narrative form.

Please review your handouts on Tips for Narrative Writing and Narrative Leads.

Act 2 and Act 3 Quiz on Friday, June 4

Your quiz will consist of:

• Multiple Choice Questions (8 marks)
  


• Key Quotes (12 marks): Identify the speaker, explain the quote and explain how the quote is significant to the plot, character development or conflict.
  


• Short Answer (5 marks)

Review your questions sheets (make sure you read the text to get your answers), quote sheets, and the summaries at the front of your text.

You may want to review this Macbeth Summary video. Focus on Act 2 & 3.

Act 1 Quiz Review Information

Macbeth Act 1 Quiz: Friday, May 28

Format:

Short Answer (4 marks)
Multiple Choice (8 marks)
True & False (5 marks)


The following are some key ideas that you should understand well:

What role do the witches play in the development of the plot?

What are Macbeth’s motives? What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?

What kind of relationship does Macbeth have with King Duncan?

What does Macbeth think about Duncan?

What kind of character is Lady Macbeth and what is her role in the murder plot?

Soliloquy Assignment

Step One: Find a group of four. If you do not have a group, you will be placed with a group on Thursday.

Step Two
Your group should have assigned you one of the following soliloquies:
Act One, Scene Three (lines 127-147)
Act One, Scene Five (lines 1-28)
Act One, Scene Five (lines 37-56 and 59-69)
Act One, Scene Seven (lines 1-28)

Step Three: Read and understand your sections. You may use the notes in your play as well as other resources and your BRAIN to help you understand the soliloquy.

Step Four: In a proper paragraph, provide a summary of your assigned lines. In a second paragraph discuss the character traits of Lady Macbeth or Macbeth.

Step Five: Consider your characters dominant character trait--what does it remind you of. Pick a powerful symbol that you think could represent the character that you have focused on.
Click here to view an example.

Step Six: Share your findings with your group (on Thursday we will be sharing paragraphs, on Monday we will be sharing images).