Chapter 11 Notes Effective Language

What is EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE? It is language that is CLEAR- it is accurate for the time and place. It is language that is CONCISE- you must be economical with the number of words you use. Avoid clutter!

Figurative Language that COMPARES: Metaphor and simile- compares one thing to something else. “He was as fast as a cheetah.” Allusion- refers to a well known person, place, thing or idea. “He was quite a Picasso in his earlier days.”

Figurative Language that CONTRASTS: Antithesis- contrasting opposites. “It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old.” Oxymoron- Places opposites side-by-side. “boring-fun; momentary love-of-my-life” Irony- Imply the opposite of what you are saying. “When everything goes wrong you say your day was terrific.”

Figurative Language that EXAGGERATES: Hyperbole- A humorous exaggeration. “I called you a million times last night!” Understatement- Makes less of something. “You make a slam dunk but tell your friends that you can dunk a little.” Personification- Making the non-human human. Think of cartoons.

AVOID! AVOID! JARGON- slang SEXIST LANGUAGE- The surgeon walked in the room, and then he dropped his glove.” SHOCKING OR OBSCENE LANGUAGE- turns off an audience if you offend them.