Figurative Language is also called figures of speech.

It changes the literal meaning of words • to express complexity,• to capture a physical or sensory effect, or • to extend meaning.

There are a number of figures of speech.

Some of the more common ones are:

SimileMaking a comparison between unlike things, using “like” or “as.”

Forrest Gump’s famous simile is “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

MetaphorMaking a comparison between unlike things without the use “like” or “as.”

An example is, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul.” – Immanuel Kant.

HyberboleAn exaggeration.

For example:I told you a million times to be quiet.

You never speak to me.

The teacher gave us tons of work.

He ate a thousand pounds of pizza.

PersonificationGiving human qualities to an

animal, thing or idea.

The wind screamed my name.

The window flew open.

The book jumped out of my locker.

Narrator

There are 3 types:Protagonist - main characterObserver - person who is indirectly involved in the storyNon-participant - not at all involved, can be omniscient (knows everything)

Someone who tells the story.

ToneThe attitude an author takes toward the audience, subject or character. The tone is conveyed through the

author’s words and details.

Think of when someone says, “Don’t use that tone with me!” Your tone can change the meaning

of what you say.

ThemeA theme is the main idea of a

story, or the message the author is conveying. This message is usually about life, society or human nature.

FlashbacksA scene in a narrative that returns to

an earlier time.

Ironyis a literary device for conveying

meaning by saying the exact opposite of

what is really meant. (Sarcasm is one kind of irony.

It is praise which is really an insult.

Sarcasm generally involves malice, the desire to put someone down, for

example “This is my brilliant son who failed

out of college.”

Life is filled with ironies. Listen to the following TRUE accounts…

1. The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later, they were both eaten by a killer whale.

2. Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with “return to sender” stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb, he opened it and was blown to bits.

Dramatic Monologue• Dramatic says that it could be acted out, and is a form of drama,

• while monologue defines it as a speech that one person makes, either to themselves or to another.

• A dramatic monologue is written to reveal both the situation at hand and the character herself.

GenreGenre is a French word meaning kind or type.

The major genres in literature are poetry, fiction, drama and

essays.

It can also refer to more specific types of literature such as

comedy, tragedy, epic poetry or science fiction.

GenreNarrative text is a story.

(usually fiction)

Informational or expository is written to inform, to explain, to

describe or to present information.(usually nonfiction)

Persuasive Essay is writing designed to convince reader to view

things from the author’s point of view.

GenreBiographical text is an account of an individuals life, written by

another person

Proverbs or Maxims are old sayings which illustrate a

truth.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” doesn’t mean you have to eat apples

everyday. The general truth being communicated is that a diet that is rich in

fruits can keep one healthy and not in need of medical care.

Literary Terms

ThemeToneMood

StanzaDrama

Foil Character

MoodMood is the emotion that YOU feel

while you’re reading.

Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others angry.

StanzaWhen a poem is divided into groups of lines, often with a

regular pattern, these groups are known as stanzas

or verses.

DramaThis is another word for play.

That’s when characters tell a story in a theatrical

performance.

Foil CharacterThis may be an unfamiliar term.

A foil is a person who is paired with another character to develop the latter’s traits and personality by

contrast.

A foil is much like the twin character in class, rank, and background, but has

opposing characteristics that provide a mirror to those of the paired character.

Combining SentencesSentences can be combined by

using three punctuation marks: the dash (-), the colon (:), the semi-colon

(;).

You can also use coordinating conjunctions

(and, or, but, so)To combine sentences (clauses) that

are grammatically equal.

Combining SentencesA dash (-)

is used to add more information about some part of your sentence.

It is rather informal and although you may see it when you read, it is better to avoid this punctuation in your

writing.

Combining SentencesA colon (:)

is also used to add more information and especially to give examples of

something in the sentence.

What follows a colon may be a clause (He is a great athlete: he plays

soccer, baseball and basketball.) or a group of words that cannot stand by

themselves (He plays many sports: soccer, baseball and basketball.)

Combining SentencesA semi-colon (;)

is used to connect clauses and is the most important punctuation mark

for combining sentences.

It can be used alone to connect clauses (He’s not heavy; he’s my brother.) It can also be used to connect clauses

together with special linking words such as however, moreover, therefore.

Combining SentencesSample Question: Choose the answer that is

the most effective substitute for each underlined part of the sentence. If no substitution is necessary, choose “Leave as is.”

The Alaska rivers are clear and sparkling in summer however; they are frozen in winter.

(A) in summer, however they are frozen in winter.(B) in summer, however, they are frozen in winter.(C) in summer: however they are frozen in winter.(D) Leave as is.

Combining SentencesSolution: What punctuation mark joins the two

thoughts into one sentence?

A semicolon joins them, but the semicolon is in the wrong place. “However” goes with the second sentence, so the semicolon needs to be

placed before it. The correct answer is B.

The Alaska rivers are clear and sparkling in summer however; they are frozen in winter.

(A) in summer, however they are frozen in winter.(B) in summer, however, they are frozen in winter.(C) in summer: however they are frozen in winter.(D) Leave as is.

Writing on the CAHSEE

There are three strands:

Writing Strategies

Writing Conventions

Writing Applications

Writing on the CAHSEEWriting Strategies

12 test questions that ask you to read a rough draft of an essay and make

modifications to improve the thesis statement or topic sentences.

You will also have to use synthesize information or revise the writing to improve

the logic and coherence of the paragraph.

Combining sentences is included in this section.

Writing on the CAHSEEWriting Conventions

15 test questions that test your understanding of grammar

and your knowledge in the mechanics of punctuation

(e.g. semicolons, colons, ellipses, hyphens).

You will also have to identify and use clauses and understand sentence

construction (parallel structure, proper placement of modifiers, etc.).

Writing on the CAHSEEWriting Application

On the writing portion of the CAHSEE exam, you will be given a “Writing Task” which is an essay

question.

You may be asked to do one of the following:

Biographical NarrativeResponse to Literature

Expository EssayPersuasive EssayBusiness Letter

Writing on the CAHSEE

Biographical Narrative:

This writing is often about a real person who

is important to you.

Writing on the CAHSEE

Response to Literature: You read a passage [literature],

and write an essay [response] based on

that passage.

Writing on the CAHSEEExpository Essay: Exposition is most often

nonfiction, meaning that it deals with real people, things,

events and places.

The question may ask you to write about a moment in history and its

importance in today’s world.

Writing on the CAHSEEPersuasive Essay:

A persuasive essays ask you to defend a position or issue you support.

An issue is something about which people disagree.

The individuals who score these essays want you to include arguments of those who disagree with you,

then explain why your argument is stronger.

A sample question may ask you to write an essay for your school paper in which you convince the readers of the

importance of getting rid of the trash and making the school more attractive.

Writing on the CAHSEEBusiness Letter:

When you’re writing a business letter,

your purpose may be to inform, to suggest,

to complain or to argue.

Writing on the CAHSEE#1. Remember

Make sure to answer all parts of the writing task.

If the question is asking you to describe the main characters personality and emotions, make sure to address both.

Writing on the CAHSEE# 2. Remember

Make sure you have the correct structure with a strong introduction, body and

conclusion.

Use specific details and examples from the passage to demonstrate your

understanding of the main idea’s and the author’s purpose.

Vary your sentences to make your writing more interesting.

Writing on the CAHSEE# 3. Remember

Check for mistakes in grammar, spelling,

punctuation, capitalization and sentence formation.

Writing on the CAHSEEOther Key PointsAlways include

the name of the story, article, or essay when you write a

response to literature.

Writing on the CAHSEEOther Key Points

When you give evidence to support your argument,

it should be explicit and direct (or specific textual details and quotes to support the thesis and

main idea) instead of implicit or indirect (in the form of

summary).