I’ve got data – what do I do with it? PPT#6

Today - Explore diction as a literary device Start The Odyssey Review and practice close reading techniques The essay is coming - Unit Assessment – demonstrate mastery of the unit by answering the writing prompt: (the following prompt may change depending on what happens in class) Using either Around the World in 80 Days or The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Odyssey or The Curse of the Black Pearl explain how one of the following archetypes function to tell a story: the hero, the mentor, the companion, or the villain.

Diction 1 - Diction refers to the author’s choice of words. Words are the basic tools of the writer. Just as a painter uses color and light or a musician uses sounds and rhythm, a writer uses words. In order to write well, you have to find the perfect work. Discovering Voice by Nancy Dean The perfect word is clear, concrete, and exact. It says exactly what you want it to say. Words have a denotative meaning – that is the dictionary meaning Words have a connotative meaning – a suggested meaning Example: ambitious and eager have very similar denotations – desirous of reaching a goal. However, ambitious has a feeling of selfishness attached to it where eager has a feeling of enthusiasm and optimism. Therefore eager is a much more positive word than ambitious.

Diction 1 - Forbidden Words Some words are overused and tired. They are so used they have lost their impact. You should avoid them. Some Forbidden Words: good, nice, pretty, beautiful, fine, bad, thing, really, very, terrible, wonderful, a lot Diction is how we create mood

Diction 1 - Read – Think – and Talk The snow came on. The wind twisted all day and all night and all the next day. The wind changed black and twisted and spit icicles in their faces. They got lost in the blizzard. Carl Sandburg “How the Five Rusty Rats Helped Find a New Village” Talk to a Partner: What does “the wind changed black” mean? How does this unusual use of a color word help you visualize the scene? How would the meaning of Sandburg’s sentences change if we changed some of the words? For example: The wind blew all day and all night and all the next day. The wind changed direction and blew icicles in their faces. 3. How does repeating some words or phrases (parallelism) effect the sentences?

Diction 1 - Now you try it: Write a sentence describing an unbearably hot day, using Sandburg’s sentences as a model. Choose words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Start a collection of “perfect” words you can use in your writing. The snow came on. The wind twisted all day and all night and all the next day. The wind changed black and twisted and spit icicles in their faces. They got lost in the blizzard. Words for your collection: Verbs: Adjectives: Instead of stand use slouch Rather than pretty – consider haunting

Diction (in literary terms) is - - - How clearly someone speaks words Another word for imagery Another word for lexicon or personal dictionary The word an author chooses

SAT Question Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ------- , the former term actually refers to ------- group of insects. (A) parallel . . an identical (B) precise . . an exact (C) interchangeable . . a particular (D) exclusive . . a separate (E) useful . . a useless

Diction (in literary terms) is - - - How clearly someone speaks words Another word for imagery Another word for lexicon or personal dictionary The word an author chooses

Can you define connotation and denotation?

SAT Question Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ------- , the former term actually refers to ------- group of insects. (A) parallel . . an identical (B) precise . . an exact (C) interchangeable . . a particular (D) exclusive . . a separate (E) useful . . a useless

Can you define connotation and denotation? Connotation – meaning given to a word that goes beyond its dictionary or literal meaning. Denotation – the dictionary or literal meaning of a word

Diction 1 - Now you try it: Write a sentence describing an unbearably hot day, using Sandburg’s sentences as a model. Choose words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Start a collection of “perfect” words you can use in your writing. The snow came on. The wind twisted all day and all night and all the next day. The wind changed black and twisted and spit icicles in their faces. They got lost in the blizzard. Words for your collection: Verbs: Adjectives: Instead of stand use slouch Rather than pretty – consider haunting

A pun for you - - A dog gave birth to her puppies near a road. She was cited for littering!

Diction 1 - Now you try it: Write a sentence describing an unbearably hot day, using Sandburg’s sentences as a model. Choose words that are clear, concrete, and exact. Start a collection of “perfect” words you can use in your writing. The snow came on. The wind twisted all day and all night and all the next day. The wind changed black and twisted and spit icicles in their faces. They got lost in the blizzard. Words for your collection: Verbs: Adjectives: Instead of stand use slouch Rather than pretty – consider haunting

SAT Question Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ------- , the former term actually refers to ------- group of insects. (A) parallel . . an identical (B) precise . . an exact (C) interchangeable . . a particular (D) exclusive . . a separate (E) useful . . a useless

Some gods & goddesses of Olympus

The judgment of Paris – son of Priam The Iliad The judgment of Paris – son of Priam king of Troy Odysseus and the Trojan Horse Helen – wife of Menelaus – king of the Spartans The Trojan War!

The Odyssey and Close Reading Reading for pleasure Reading as a scholarly pursuit

Homework! Email – if not already sent - late Book cover – late Finish The Land of the Dead The Sirens Scylla and Charybdis Add to your notes packet

As you work - consider What types of data can we collect? How can that data be used to form opinions? While we are about it – what is the difference between a fact and an opinion? Who do you know when it is a fact and when it is an opinion?

Considering our discussion - Unit Assessment – demonstrate mastery of the unit by answering the writing prompt: (the following prompt may change depending on what happens in class) Using either Around the World in 80 Days or The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Odyssey or The Curse of the Black Pearl explain how one of the following archetypes function to tell a story: the hero, the mentor, the companion, or the villain.