DIDLS & Friends English II

DIDLS What we use to refer to the basic literary terms used in analysis and analytical writing. These terms are important to learn in order to be successful in this class and future classes! These terms will be referenced all year to analyze stories, articles, videos, pictures, and our own writing.

DIDLS Diction Imagery Details Language Syntax (Point of View)

Diction Definition: The author’s choice of words. We can identify the tone by looking closely at the diction (word choice). Example: Unfortunate versus Craptacular

Imagery Definition: Description that focuses on the 5 senses: Sight Sound Taste Touch Smell

Details Definition: Specific facts that shape a story. For example, in the painting “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus,” Icarus’ two little legs splashing is a detail.

Language (Figurative) Definition: Description that is not meant to be taken literally, but adds depth, complexity, and richness to a text. Metaphors and Similes Personification Hyperbole Symbolism

Syntax Definition: The way words and phrases are arranged and shaped (punctuation!) to create sentences and paragraphs. (Sentence Structure) “That night I sat on Tyan-yu’s bed and waited for him to touch me. But he didn’t. I was relieved.” Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Amy Tan uses short sentences to communicate in a powerful and concise manner.

Point of View Definition: The perspective from which the story is told. 1st Person (main character’s POV) “I” To Kill a Mockingird by Harper Lee 2nd Person (YOUR POV) “you” Choose Your Own Adventure 3rd Person (the narrator’s POV – usually not a character) “He, she, it, etc.” Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

DIDLS: Together, these five literary terms help us identify the “meaning” of a text. Diction Imagery & Language MEANING Details Syntax Point of View

Once you understand the “meaning” of a text, you can begin to understand the “tone” and “theme.” Diction Tone Imagery & Language MEANING Details Syntax Theme Point of View

Tone and Theme Tone: The attitude of the writer or speaker toward the subject. How do they feel towards the subject? Think adjectives like: Sarcastic Sympathetic Irritated Theme: The author’s message to the reader about life and humanity.

Theme When author’s write, their themes relate to some universal truth about life. Some Universal Truths: If at first you don’t succeed… There is good and evil in the world. Hard work brings reward. Love conquers all. The world will continue to move forward no matter what.

Its about addressing a universal truth about life. Theme Cont… When addressing THEME, focus on determining what universal truth the author is addressing. This will lead you to the theme, and the author’s attitude towards it. It’s not about what the characters are DOING - it’s about what the writer is showing about LIFE. Its about addressing a universal truth about life. Let’s apply this idea to the classic children’s story, “The Three Little Pigs.”

The Three Little Pigs Once upon a time there were three little pigs. One pig built a house of straw while the second pig built his house with sticks. They built their houses very quickly and then sang and danced all day. The third little pig worked hard all day and built his house with bricks.

Three Little Pigs Cont… A big bad wolf saw the two little pigs while they danced and played and thought, “What juicy tender meals they will make!” He chased the two pigs and they ran and hid in their houses. The big bad wolf went to the first house and huffed and puffed and blew the house down in minutes. The frightened little pig ran to the second pig’s house that was made of sticks. The big bad wolf now came to this house and huffed and puffed and blew the house down in hardly any time. Now, the two little pigs were terrified and ran to the third pig’s house that was made of bricks.

Three Little Pigs Cont. The big bad wolf tried to huff and puff and blow the brick house down, but he could not. He kept trying for hours but the house was very strong and the little pigs were safe inside. He tried to enter through the chimney but the third little pig boiled a big pot of water and kept it below the chimney. The wolf fell into it and died. The two little pigs now felt sorry for having been so lazy. They too built their houses with bricks and lived happily ever after.

Strong Foundation = Brick House Apply What universal truth do we see in the story “The Three Little Pigs?” Hard work pays off. Building a strong foundation helps you survive. Strong Foundation = Brick House The story is not about the three little pigs building houses, it’s about which pig is building the strongest foundation to survive.