WENDELL S.
MORALLA August 14, 2023
AB ENGLISH 4- N ELS 119
1. Simile
The first simile in the extract compares Armande’s laughter to that of an overtired child,
emphasizing a sense of weariness and perhaps childlike joy. The simile adds a vivid and relatable
image, providing insight into Armande’s emotional state.
For example,
“Her laughter was like that of an overtired child.”
Armande’s laughter echoed through the room, resembling the tired giggles of a child who had
played all day and could no longer contain her joy.
The second simile likens the lanterns and candles sprinkled across the water’s edge to Christmas
lights. This comparison enhances the visual imagery and conveys a festive and magical
atmosphere, creating a picturesque scene for the reader.
For example,
“The lanterns and candles looked like Christmas lights.”
As night fell, the lanterns ad candles scattered along the riverbank illuminated the scene,
twinkling like Christmas lights and casting a warm glow over the celebration.
2. Metaphor
The metaphor highlights the importance of these natural elements in the growth of the rice and
symbolically compares the end product, rice, to something precious and essential.
3. Personification
In the statement, “[Rice] demands the sweat of man,” rice is the personification, attributing it
with the ability to make demands and infusing human-like qualities. This personification
enhances the description of rice cultivation, implying that the labour and effort invested in the
process are a reciprocal exchange between humans and the rice crop.
4. Onomatopoeia
The two examples of onomatopoeia in the extract are “clatter” and “howling.”
Clatter
Clatter is an onomatopoeic word that imitates the sound of objects, in this case, dustbins,
being blown over. It adds a sensory element to the description, allowing the reader to
imagine the loud, chaotic noise of the falling dustbins.
Howling
Howling is another onomatopoeic word that imitates the mournful sound of a dog in the
distance. This choice of language creates an auditory image, conveying a sense of loneliness
or unease associated with the howling, adding emotional depth to the scene.
5. Oxymoron
“Homicidal eloquence” is an oxymoron as it combines contradictory terms. “Homicidal”
typically relates to violence or the act of killing, while “eloquence” refers to fluent and
persuasive speech. This juxtaposition created a striking image, suggesting that the Major’s
speech is both captivating and potentially deadly, adding a layer of intensity to his presentation
on the ‘spirit of the bayonet.’
6. Rhetorical Question
The rhetorical question in the extract is, “How many times had she told her daughter Emma that
she should be home by Ten o’clock?”
This rhetorical question emphasizes the mother’s frustration and concern regarding her
daughter’s punctuality. By posing the question, the author implies that the daughter was
reminded multiple times, creating a sense of exasperation and emphasizing the importance of
curfew. The rhetorical question engages the reader in understanding the mother’s perspective and
adds a rhetorical flourish to the narrative.
7. Repetition
The repetition of “Homework” emphasizes the variety and quantity of tasks Rachel has to
complete. It creates a rhythmic pattern, underscoring the weight of her workload. The repetition
helps convey Rachel’s sense of being overwhelmed by the different subjects and sets a tone of
apprehension in the narrative.
8. Pun
The pun in the extract is in Jennifer’s response: “Will this be enough?”
The pun lies in the double entendre of the word “change.” While the department manager
expresses the need for a transformation or improvement, Jennifer interprets it as coins,
humorously suggesting that throwing money on the table could solve the desired change. This
play on words adds a light and witty element to the dialogue.
9. Colon and the Dash
Using the colon and dash in the sentence effectively conveys a pause and adds emphasis to the
writer’s experience.
The colon effectively creates a clear separation between the cause and effect in the
sentence. It signals to the reader that the second part of the sentence will provide an
explanation or result related to the first part. In this case, it sets up the reason for the
writer’s lack of sleep, indicating that the following information will shed light on the
cause.
The dash adds a sudden break or interruption, creating a sense of uncertainty or
ambiguity about the identity of the creatures (wild dogs or Galician wolves). The dash
allows for a dramatic pause, enhancing the suspense and emphasizing the writer’s
uncertainty, contributing to the overall mood and tone of the sentence.
10. Euphemism
The example of euphemism in the extract is found in the phrase “stranger to the truth.”
The euphemism “stranger to the truth” is a mild way of saying that Claire tends to lie or is not
truthful. Instead of directly stating that Claire is a liar, the euphemism softens the expression,
making it less direct and potentially less harsh. It adds a touch of politeness or discretion to the
description of Claire’s honesty, maintaining a certain of decorum in the narrative.
11. Contrast
The use of contrast in this extract from Charles Dickens “A tale of Two Cities” is evident in the
parallel structure of contrasting phrases.
The repeated use of “it was” followed by contrasting descriptions, such as “the best of times” and
“the worst of times,” creates a powerful contrast. This technique emphasizes the duality of the
depicted period, showcasing the extremes of both positive and negative aspects. The contrast
between “the age of wisdom” and “the age of foolishness” further highlights the conflicting
elements of the time. This stylistic device sets the tone for the novel, emphasizing the complexity
and contradictions inherent in the historical context Dickens is exploring.
12. Hyperbole or Exaggeration
The two examples of hyperbole in the extract are:
“My boss, who was likely to murder me,”
“Murder me” is hyperbolic, exaggerating the potential consequence of not meeting sales
targets. It adds a dramatic and humorous tone, emphasizing the severity of the imagined
outcome.
“millions of cars were on my stretch of the motorway”
Describing “millions of cars” on the motor way is hyperbolic, exaggerating the traffic volume
to emphasize the inconvenience. This hyperbole created a vivid image of an overwhelmingly
congested road, contributing to the narrative’s overall sense of urgency and stress.
13. Alliteration
The two examples of alliteration in the extract are:
o “crunched-up piece”
The repetition of the “c” sound in “crunched-up” is an example of alliteration. This
not only adds a rhythmic quality to the description but also emphasizes the state of
the paper, suggesting a rough or folded texture.
o “brown and bruised”
The repetition of the “b” sound in “brown and bruised” is another instance of
alliteration. This creates a sense of harmony in the description and accentuates the
rotting apple’s visual ad tactile qualities, underscoring its deteriorated condition.
14. Oxymoron
“Homicidal eloquence” is an oxymoron as it combines contradictory terms. “Homicidal”
typically relates to violence or the act of killing, while “eloquence” refers to fluent and
persuasive speech. This juxtaposition created a striking image, suggesting that the Major’s
speech is both captivating and potentially deadly, adding a layer of intensity to his presentation
on the ‘spirit of the bayonet.’
