1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. i_lit2.txt File Contents

i_lit2.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

Name: <  >
Class: <  >
Date: <  >


Literal or Figurative
Part 2

Authors use figurative and literal language to reveal character. For example:

And while the late steamer "Big Missouri" worked and sweated in the sun, the retired artist sat on a barrel in the shade close by, dangled his legs, munched his apple, and planned the slaughter of more innocents. There was no lack of material; boys happened along every little while; they came to jeer, but remained to whitewash.

Excerpted from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain

Who do you think is "the retired artist"?

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Which is a literal way of saying "retired artist" in the context of the passage?

former old painter
former house painter

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The figurative meaning suggests the character is:

trying to impress the boys
trying to be a Rembrandt or a Van Gogh

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Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Tom Sawyer was trying to impress the boys so that they would do his work for him. Suppose you wanted someone to do your work for you! Write a short paragraph using figurative language. Convince someone that they should do one of these chores for you:

mow the lawn
clean your room
wash your family's car

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The passage by Mark Twain, repeated below, illustrates another kind of figurative language called "hyperbole." Hyperbole is a big word that means "to exaggerate for effect." (For example, This book weighs a ton.) These expressions are not meant to be taken literally. Reread the passage.

And while the late steamer "Big Missouri" worked and sweated in the sun, the retired artist sat on a barrel in the shade close by, dangled his legs, munched his apple, and planned the slaughter of more innocents. There was no lack of material; boys happened along every little while; they came to jeer, but remained to whitewash.

Excerpted from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain

Write a short paragraph to explain the hyperbole "planned the slaughter of more innocents." Tell what is meant by "slaughter" and "innocents."

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Authors do exaggerate! They use inflated language for a purpose. Read the following paragraph.

"Perhaps Toad is dressing in the ugly clothes he loves. He may change his appearance from all right to awful and cause the other animals to be very active."

The above paragraph is written in correct, simple language. Now, read the original passage spoken by a character known as the Badger:

At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him, which transform him from a (comparatively) good-looking Toad into an Object which throws any decent-minded animal that comes across it into a violent fit.

Excerpted from The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame

The original passage uses exaggerated language. Its purpose is not to describe Toad, but the Badger! Based on how he speaks, which words below fit the Badger? Keep the words that fit and delete those that don't fit. When you are done you will have a list of words that describe the Badger.

Badger is:

dumb
sanctimonious
slow
pompous
overbearing
vain
opinionated
cute

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Check a dictionary to confirm the meaning of the words you've selected to describe Badger. Use these words to write a paragraph describing a story or television character that you don't like. Use figurative and exaggerated language to make your point.

The character's name is:

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My Paragraph

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Without telling who the paragraph is about, let your writing group read what you wrote about a character. If no one can guess the identity of your character, give hints, such as the name of the book or television show. If they still don't know, you may need to revise your paragraph!


If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)


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end of activity
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