Technical Writing and Poetry

1. Technical Writing and Poetry Post-test Review

2. How to Train Your Dragon: How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (Book 4): • “On this particularly cold morning several hours before breakfast, it was as if the whole world was holding its breath, frozen in time”(Cowell 1). • This is an example of … • Personification

3. “The air was a sharp as broken glass; no sound disturbed the pure snowy silence”(Cowell 2). • In the first clause, what figurative language technique is used? • Simile • In the second clause, what technique is used? • Alliteration – repetition of the “s” sound.

4. “[Gobber] was an enormous monster of a man wrapped up in furs…”(Cowell 3). • What technique does this demonstrate? • Metaphor • What two unlike things are being compared? • Gobber to a monster

5. “ ‘I’ve had snails that have moved quicker than you lot! My granny could skip faster than this and she’s one hundred and four!’” (Cowell 3). • Both of these statements contain what type of figurative language? • Hyperbole

6. “One gigantic furry arm lashed out with a whip that curled through the air like a great black serpent..” (Cowell 3). • What image device is being used here? • Simile • What two things are being compared? • His arm to a black serpent

7. “Gobber the Belch reared up with a mighty roar of ‘WHOOOOOAH!!’, leaned back so far pulling on the reins that he was nearly horizontal”(Cowell 6). • What sound device is used in this quote? • Onomatopoeia • What image device is used in the same quote? • Hyperbole

8. “It’s a curious fact, but a heavily armed, mad, six-and-a-half-foot teacher holding a whip tends to get his class’s attention” (Cowell 8). • Does anyone know what figurative language technique is used here? • Understatement • How does the author convey the speaker’s tone? • She uses italics on the word tends to create a bit of sarcasm.

9. “ ‘I will be staying here to guard the sleigh,’ yelled Gobber. ‘Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third will be in charge of the hunting party when you get to the mountain’” (Cowell 8). • What poetic device is used in the character’s name? • Alliteration

10. Figurative Language can be used to create characterization. • “Snotlout had won the Senseless Violence Cup three years in a row” (Cowell 9). • What does this reveal about Snotlout? • What technique is used? • Hyperbole • “Wartihog could smash chairs to pieces with his bare fists”(Cowell 9). • What does this reveal about Wartihog? • What technique is used?

11. Figurative Language and characterization: • “Dogsbreath the Duhbrain burped so loud he shattered glass” (Cowell 9). • Why is the author describing Dogsbreath the Duhbrain this way? • What technique is used? • Hyperbole

12. “Family Photo” One last picture Before we head off In different directions. One last group shot Of all of us, smirking, With rabbit ears. Three generations Kids on shoulders, A baby cousin on my lap. And in the middle Grandma and Grandpa Who started all of this We’re ripples in a pond Spreading out From a stone they threw. 1.) Does this poem have a rhyme scheme? 2.) Identify an example of Imagery that appeals to the sense of sight. 3.) Who is the speaker in the poem? a.) the author b.) a member of the family described c.) an outside observer d.) the Grandma 4.) Find and Identify and example of a metaphor. 5.) “Spreading out/ from a a stone they threw” is an example of what sound device? 6.) What is the theme, lesson, or meaning of this poem? Sound and Image Devices:

13. “Hug O’ War” –Shel Silverstein I will not play at tug o’war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everybody hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls up on the rug. Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins. 1.)The reader understands that the poet’s theme (message) is meant to be universal (applying to all people) by which of the following techniques? a.)the poet’s use of rhyme b.)The poet’s repetition of ‘everyone’ c.) the use of kind words: giggles, kisses and cuddles d.) the poet’s initial declarative sentence: “I will not play at tug o’ war”. 2.) What technique is used with words like “hugs” and “tugs” and “grins” and “wins”? = Rhyme 3.) Perform scansion and evaluate whether this poem has a rhyme scheme. =What is the Rhyme Scheme? Power of Poetry

14. “To be, or not to be” , which one is an idiom? • Break a leg • I nearly died laughing • Go take a hike • I’m at sixes and sevens, here! • My mom’s going to kill me! • I’m all ears • Let’s hit the road

15. Types of technical writing • Brainstorm an idea web with as many examples of technical writing as you can. • What it the purpose of writing a Job Description? • What is an obituary? • Is “Sam McGee” a ballad, eulogy, epitaph, or obituary? Why?

16. Technical Writing: Using your notes, answer the following questions: • What is the purpose of a line graph? • What is the purpose of a circle graph? • What is the purpose of a time line? • What is the purpose of a guide book? • What is the purpose of a bar graph? • What is the purpose of a neighborhood map? • What kind of graph would I use to show the results of an experiment with 4 groups?

17. What is technical Writing? Writing that is formatted and serves a singular, formal, and professional purpose!!