EWC4U
Unit 1: The Writer’s Toolbox
Activity 3: Layering Language
The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.
Did You Know?
Ever wonder how many words there actually are in English? Well, it’s hard to say,
pun intended, according to Oxford Living Dictionary, “the Second Edition of the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. To this may be added around 9,500 derivative words included as subentries,” while Slate Magazine’s Word Count explores whether there really are 988,968 words in the English language. With all of those choices, no wonder it’s hard to find the right word sometimes!
a play on words.
Language is a complex series of interwoven pathways.
In his mind-bending, visually distinct movie, Waking Life, director Richard Linklater has his main character interview real-life screenwriter Kim Krizan so she can reflect on the importance of language. Specifically, she noted that, “[c]reation seems to come out of imperfection. It seems to come out of a striving and a frustration.”
Krizan goes on to discuss language - and words, themselves:
And this is where I think language came from. I mean, it came from our desire to transcend our isolation and have some sort of connection with one another. And it had to be easy when it was just simple survival. Like, you know, "water." We came up with a sound for that. Or "Saber-toothed tiger right behind you." We came up with a sound for that. But when it gets really interesting, I think, is when we use that same system of symbols to communicate all the abstract and intangible things that we're experiencing. What is, like, frustration? Or what is anger or love? When I say "love," the sound comes out of my mouth and it hits the other person's ear, travels through this Byzantine conduit in their brain, you know, through their memories of love or lack of love, and they register what I'm saying and they say yes, they understand. But how do I know they understand? Because words are inert. They're just symbols. They're dead, you know? And so much of our experience is intangible. So much of what we perceive cannot be expressed. It's unspeakable. And yet, you know, when we communicate with one another, and we feel that we've connected, and we think that we're understood, I think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion. And that feeling might be transient, but I think it's what we live for.”
The Power of Language
After considering what Kim Krizan believes, it’s time to determine your own beliefs. Do you agree or disagree with what she is saying about language being ‘dead’? Can we truly express ourselves accurately and honestly? Why or why not?
Enrichment
There’s no denying that English is a global language with as many nuances as there are oddities. But you might be interested to know that it wasn’t created in a vacuum. To find out where English came from watch Where did English come from?
Resources
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- The Lightning Bug vs. the Lightning is a blog post for reviewing commonly confused words or expressions.
- Go ahead, make up new words! is a fun, thought provoking TedTalk by Erin McKean that explores how and why new words matter.
Literal vs. Figurative Language
Read the heading above carefully. What is it saying? How does it make you feel?
Did you notice the use of vs? What if the word had been the coordinating conjunction ‘and’ instead? How would or could that have changed the way you responded to the heading? Isn’t it interesting how such a small word can make such a big difference?
a commonly used short form of versus.
a word such as and that joins two similarly constructed and/or syntactically equal words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence.
Word choice is an essential tool in any writer’s toolbox. The words you choose can dramatically affect the way a story, setting, or character is crafted and received. And believe it or not, sometimes shorter is better (or, as Gertrude from Shakespeare’s Hamlet puts it, “more matter with less art”).
Shakespeare, despite the challenges that stem from learning Elizabethan English, truly was a master of the writer’s craft. In particular, he used metaphor and imagery to explain and explore deep ideas, including love, death, heroism, tragedy, and more. Shakespeare - if words were indeed his currency - spent freely but purposefully.
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.
A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
For example, consider this iconic line from Romeo and Juliet: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” This certainly reads as more specific than the more colloquial “She’s hot!” doesn’t it?
Of course, this doesn’t mean that all writers should simply imitate Shakespeare. And let’s be honest, imitation of this kind wouldn’t necessarily fit. Can you imagine how it would come across if all of the characters from any current sitcom starting speaking in Shakespearean English? More importantly, a personalized voice is an essential tool in any writer’s toolbox - and that is something that gets crafted over time. However, as you will learn later, analysing and acknowledging authors is a valuable learning strategy for any writer, and, when we think of Shakespeare, there’s a reason why he is still considered (and studied as) a master of the art - and one who crafted a career to boot!
an archaic term that means to be of profit, advantage, or avail (to)
Did You Know?
While estimates vary, according to Shakespeare Online, it’s believed that Shakespeare 'coined' over 1700 words!
an interesting term for created; what’s the rationale to make it sound like a currency rather than an invention?
Imagery is the use of language to describe or represent things, actions, feelings, ideas, and sensory experiences. Imagery may be literal or figurative. It evokes sense perceptions: sight, sound, smell, taste, and/or touch. That is, the words make readers imagine the look, the sound, the smell, the taste, and the touch of something.
Literal Imagery
Literal imagery is language that is meant to be taken at one level. The following description from Alistair MacLeod's "In the Fall" paints a clear visual image. Note that everything should be taken literally:
My father is standing with his back toward us and is looking out the window to where the ocean pounds against the cliffs. His hands are clasped behind his back. He must be squeezing them together very tightly because they are almost white -- especially the left. My father's left hand is larger than his right and his left arm is about three inches longer than normal. That is because he holds his stevedore's hook in his left hand when he works upon the waterfront in Halifax. His complexion is lighter than my mother's and his eyes are grey, which is also the predominant colour of his thinning hair.
Figurative Imagery
Figurative imagery is language that goes beyond the literal meaning by using figurative language. The devices of figurative language are called figures of speech. You cannot take these literally.
Now, examine another paragraph from the same Alistair MacLeod story, "In the Fall." Notice how the ocean takes on the emotions and behaviours of a human.
It is hard to believe that this same ocean that is the crystal blue of summer when only the thin oil-slicks left by the fishing boats or the startling whiteness of the riding seagulls mar its azure sameness. Now it is roiled and angry, and almost anguished; hurling up the brown dirty balls of scudding foam, the sticks of pulpwood from some lonely freighter, the caps of unknown men, buoys form mangled fishing nets and the inevitable bottles that contain no messages. And always also the shreds of blackened and stringy seaweed that it has ripped and torn from its own lower regions, as if this is the season for self-mutilation -- the pulling out of the secret, private, unseen hair.
By using figurative language, MacLeod gives the ocean the qualities of an angry, self-abusive person. However, it’s important to realize that it isn’t as though one type of language is “better” than the other; literal and figurative language is effective when used purposefully and properly. In fact, writing can be enriched when writers use a combination of literal and figurative imagery, much as MacLeod demonstrates in his story.
Take the quiz below to both build your vocabulary and extend your familiarity with synonyms. If you're working on a tablet, click here to open the following interactive in its own window instead of using the embedded version below.
Resources
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- Coordinating Conjunction Definition and Examples will teach you how to use conjunctions properly.
- Literary Devices is a great website for finding literary term definitions.
- Literary Devices and Terms provides a comprehensive list of different literary devices, along with definitions and examples.
Don’t You Love Rhetoric?
It’s likely that you’ve encountered a rhetorical question such as the one in the subheading above, perhaps when having a heated discussion with a teacher, peer, sibling or parent/guardian.
a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.
Rhetoric is another important language tool in the writer’s toolbox. Beginning with philosophers, two terms have emerged to study the power of words: dialectic and rhetoric.
Dialectic is the exchange of controversial ideas between people to come to some new solution. The idea of dialectic is that two rational people can solve conflicting opinions through discussion. In Ancient Greece, dialectic was considered the method to discovering universal truths.
Rhetoric was originally considered the art of persuading others through oral language. In other words, if you were to give a very convincing speech to the Members of Parliament compelling them to change a law, then you would be considered an accomplished speaker.
Ancient Greek philosophers believed that honing your skills as a public speaker improved you as a human being. By the time of Aristotle (roughly 400 BCE), rhetoric was considered important because it could influence the fields of law (in a courtroom) and politics (in a legislative assembly). Today, rhetoric sometimes carries a negative connotation, however, as with any tool, it’s how it’s used that determines its value.
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Now let’s examine three aspects of rhetoric: ethos, pathos, and logos.
Martin Luther King Jr's “I Have a Dream” speech isn’t just famous, it’s filled with figurative and rhetorical language. As a master orator, King used his words to bring attention to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in a way that captivated both his supporters and detractors. Simply put, he used his words to change a country’s views. Play the video then click on each of the underlined phrases in the speech and select the rhetorical device that is being used. If you're working on a tablet, click here to open the following interactive in its own window instead of using the embedded version below.
Resources
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- A Handbook of Rhetorical Devices gives comprehensive explanations and examples for rhetorical devices.
- 50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational Writing provides clear explanations for rhetorical devices.
A Note on Revising
Though writer’s block can be frustrating, there are times when revision can mirror this level of stress. Later, you will be looking inward and exploring how to revise and proofread in greater detail, but, for now, you should realize that one of the most difficult aspects of writing is the decision to remove content. And yet, an eraser is as powerful (and necessary) a tool as a pencil.
To whet your appetite for such choices, check out this satirical sketch involving the “revision” of one of the world’s most famous speeches: Hamlet’s To Be or Not To Be soliloquy.
To stimulate your interest in something.
Enrichment
Throughout this activity, several phrases and idioms were used, not only to explain concepts, but also, to showcase how diverse language can be. Have you ever wondered what it means to ‘rest on one’s laurels’, ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ or ‘handle with kid gloves?’ Have you wondered where these and other similar idioms originate? Then check out The Phrase Finder - a website that contains over 1900 English idioms, phrases, and expressions, with their meanings and origins explained!
a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.
Illustrating Language
Choosing what, when and where to use words can seem daunting. However, as with most activities, expertise comes with practice. Throughout this course, you will learn about many different genre specific devices and techniques.
Part 1
Choose 7 literary devices.
Develop a single slide poster that includes the following:
- the device’s definition;
- a written example of the device from another author’s writing; and
- a found or created image that illustrates the written example (if found, please include proper attribution).
Conduct a self-assessment by ensuring that you meet the following criteria.
| Yes/No | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Did you accurately define the device? | |
| Did you find and attribute the device in another author’s writing? | |
| Does your image understandably showcase the device? | |
| Did you organize your poster so that it helps educate your audience? |
Part 2
Next, find a song, speech, poem and/or short story that exemplifies each assigned device and defend your choice(s) in a paragraph. Be sure to indicate the song, speech, poem and/or short story and identify the device’s use. Specifically, you should explain how the device is being used along with why it is successful in achieving the author’s intention. Conduct a self-assessment by ensuring that you meet the following criteria.
| Yes/No | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Did you find an appropriate piece of text? | |
| Did you provide proper MLA formatted citation for the found piece? | |
| Did you identify the device explicitly and accurately based on your learning throughout this activity? | |
| Does your paragraph explain both how and why the device was used successfully? | |
| Did you write in complete sentences? |
Recognizing Rhetoric
After you’ve completed the “I Have a Dream” activity, find the transcript of a famous speech of your choice and, either on or after the speech, complete the following.
- Identify three instances each of ethos, logos, and pathos.
- Select one example of ethos, logos, and pathos and explain why you think the author used it. How was each example intended to affect the audience?
- Specific to your chosen speech, write a paragraph exploring the positive and negative uses of rhetoric in writing.
Resources
- American Rhetoric contains 100 of the world’s most famous speeches.
- The History Place Great Speeches Collection is a great website containing classic and contemporary speeches.
Introduction
Learning Goals and Success Criteria
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Rubric 1