From “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” By Jonathan Edwards

Literary Focus: Figures of Speech Writers use figures of speech to help us see the world in new, imaginative ways. Writers use figures of speech to help us see the world in new, imaginative ways. Jonathan Edwards uses figures of speech to help his readers experience the horrors he is describing. Jonathan Edwards uses figures of speech to help his readers experience the horrors he is describing. –In one memorable example, he describes “wickedness” as being “heavy as lead.” –By using this simile, Edwards compares the ideas of wickedness to an everyday material his audience is familiar with. –The figure of speech helps them feel the dead weight of wickedness.

Simile, Metaphor, Personification A simile compares two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles: Her heart is as cold as a dungeon. A simile compares two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles: Her heart is as cold as a dungeon. A metaphor compares two different things without using such words as like or as: Life is a carnival. A metaphor compares two different things without using such words as like or as: Life is a carnival. Personification gives human characteristics to objects, animals, or abstractions: The flowers nodded their heads in agreement. Personification gives human characteristics to objects, animals, or abstractions: The flowers nodded their heads in agreement.

Reading Skills: Identifying Author’s Purpose Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was written with a clear purpose Jonathan Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was written with a clear purpose –To make the experience of hell so real and frightening that people in his audience would change their lives. –As you read the selection, circle the details that reveal the author’s purpose.

Finding the Main Idea The main idea is the most important idea in a piece of writing. The main idea is the most important idea in a piece of writing. Main ideas are sometimes, but not always, stated directly. Main ideas are sometimes, but not always, stated directly. When a writer does not state a main idea, it is up to you to figure it out. When a writer does not state a main idea, it is up to you to figure it out. You need to use details in the text to infer, or guess, what larger idea the writer is getting at. You need to use details in the text to infer, or guess, what larger idea the writer is getting at. Listing key words and details as you read can help you to find the main idea. Listing key words and details as you read can help you to find the main idea.

Into the Sermon This is Edward’s most famous sermon which he delivered to a church in Enfield, Connecticut, in This is Edward’s most famous sermon which he delivered to a church in Enfield, Connecticut, in The “natural men” he was trying to reach with his sermon were those in the congregation who had not been “born again.” The “natural men” he was trying to reach with his sermon were those in the congregation who had not been “born again.” –They had not accepted Jesus as their savior. –Edward’s sermon had a powerful effect –Several times he had to ask his shrieking and fainting audience for quiet.

Vocabulary provoked: v. used as an adj.: angered provoked: v. used as an adj.: angered appease: v. calm; satisfy appease: v. calm; satisfy abate: v. Reduce in amount or intensity abate: v. Reduce in amount or intensity fain: adv. Archaic word meaning “happily” or “gladly.” fain: adv. Archaic word meaning “happily” or “gladly.” Mediator: Jesus Christ. In general, one who intervenes between two parties in conflict. Mediator: Jesus Christ. In general, one who intervenes between two parties in conflict. forbearance: n. Tolerance, restraint forbearance: n. Tolerance, restraint incensed: v. Used as adj.: angered; enraged incensed: v. Used as adj.: angered; enraged constitution: n. physical condition constitution: n. physical condition contrivance: n.: scheme; plan contrivance: n.: scheme; plan affections: n. pl.: feelings affections: n. pl.: feelings closets n. pl.: rooms for prayer and meditation. closets n. pl.: rooms for prayer and meditation. inconceivable: adj., unimaginable; beyond understanding inconceivable: adj., unimaginable; beyond understanding omnipotent: adj.: all-powerful omnipotent: adj.: all-powerful

Vocabulary abhors: v.: scorns; hates abhors: v.: scorns; hates abominable: adj.: hateful; disgusting abominable: adj.: hateful; disgusting ascribed: v.: regarded as coming from a certain cause. ascribed: v.: regarded as coming from a certain cause. induce: v.: persuade; force, cause induce: v.: persuade; force, cause assunder: adv.: into pieces assunder: adv.: into pieces

Common Prefixes and Suffixes Con: means “with” or “together” Con: means “with” or “together” Omni: means “all” Omni: means “all” Able: means “capable of” Able: means “capable of” Ance: means “state of being” Ance: means “state of being”