Literary terms one ppt

Allegory

A story that acts as a metaphor where characters, events and location occur on a

literal level, but represent something different on a symbolic level.

Example:

Take two minutes and turn to a partner and discuss why Animal

Farm is an allegory. Give proof and write it

in your notes.

Archetype

The model or pattern that represents the essence of a universally recognizable

character.

Example

I have a peg-leg, a patch over one eye and a parrot on my shoulder. I love long walks on the beach to find treasure, and won’t hesitate to hang you from the yard-arm. My favorite saying is “Shimmer me Timbers” and I have a tattoo of a skull and crossbones on my right

forearm.

What Am I?

You have one minute to list as many archetypal characteristics of a cowboy as you can.

You have one minute to list as many archetypal characteristics of a “thug” as you can.

You have one minute to list as many archetypal characteristics of a Priest as you can.

EPIC

A poem or story which uses formal language, features superheroes performing heroic deeds, and

encompasses a wide geographic area.

You have two minutes to turn to a neighbor and brainstorm the

epic characteristics of The Odyssey

Please write them in your notes

Hubris

Excessive arrogance and overconfidence that often results in a

character’s destruction.

In the epic The Odyssey, Odysseus’ hubris causes him to do foolish things, such as taunt the Cyclops

as he and his men escape to safety.

You have 3 minutes to think of a movie and

identify a character who possesses hubris.

In your notes, name the movie and list at least

three things the character did to

demonstrate hubris1) Pulls a gun in a bowling

alley

2) Always tells Donny to shut the %$#@ up

3) Brags about ‘Nam

Metonymy

A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which

it is closely associated, but not actually a part of.

According to the White house, unemployment is

going down.

In this sentence, “White House” is referring to the president.

Complete these metonyms

You’re going to get in trouble with the cops. Cops = law

The pen is mightier than the sword.

pen = _________?

“By the sweat of thy brow thy shall eat thy bread.” sweat = _________?

“Hey holmes, don’t get up in my grill”!

Grill = __________?

Diction

The author’s choice of specific words to communicate effectively to his/her reader.

Change the diction to better represent the tone being expressed. Please write these in your

notes.

A hardened criminal saying the words “Police Officer”:

2) Fuzz (circa 1970)

3) The man

4) The heat

A hippie expressing feelings of joy.

2)______________

3) _____________

4) _______________

A soldier’s word for “kill”

2)__________

3) _________

4) __________

Hyperbole

Over-exaggeration for dramatic effect

When I was fifteen, I told a girl on the phone whom I hadn’t yet met that I was 5’8” tall. When we finally met, she looked at me and sneered, “There’s no way in hell you’re five feet eight!”

Take two minutes to turn to your neighbor and exchange stories about a time when you “hyperbolized” and got in trouble for it.

Summarize both stories in your notes.

Foil

A character in a story whose primary purpose is to contrast characteristics with another, more

major character.

Batman

Confident, wise, experienced, tall

Robin

Unsure, hesitant, inexperienced, short

Take three minutes and brainstorm with a neighbor about a film or story that has foil

characters.

Name both characters, and list at least three characteristics of each one.

The Big Lebowski

Donny Walter

Quiet, unsure, needy, empathetic

Obnoxious, overconfident, brash, self-centered