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
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