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Understanding Diction and Word Play

Advanced Composition. Understanding Diction and Word Play. Consider. . . .

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Understanding Diction and Word Play

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  1. Advanced Composition Understanding Diction and Word Play

  2. Consider. . . A Shetland Pony walked into a McDonalds and waited in line to place his order. When his turn finally came, he said (in a soft, raspy voice), "I'll have a Hamburger Happy Meal with a Coke, please." The woman behind the counter frowned and replied, "Sir, you'll have to speak up. I can't hear you." The pony looked at her and repeated (in the same soft, raspy voice), "I'll have a Hamburger Happy Meal with a Coke, please." The woman frowned again and looked rather aggravated. She said sharply, "Sir, I still can't hear you. There are lots of people waiting in line. You'll have to speak up or leave the restaurant." The pony smiled understandingly and replied (in the same soft, raspy voice), "I'm sorry. You've got to excuse me. I'm just a little hoarse."

  3. Homophones, Homographs, etc. The only reason why that joke works is because the words hoarse and horse have the same sound, but different meanings. While that is a silly example, consider the following song by Citizen Cope.

  4. Son’s Gonna Rise Son's Gonna Rise lyricsRollin' down the highway Like a rocketHeaded to town nowYou can't stop itGotta wheel in my hand 5As I standOn the floorOf the board Of this carOn the road 10 Got this woman in the back seatYeah she's my wifeyIn the middle of the deliveryMan she saves me To this day I don't know why 15She picked me up When I was down on the roadWith the wind when it blowedWell a son's gonna rise in a mileIn a mile 20You'll be feeling fineIn a mile you will seeAfter meYou'll be out of the dark, yeahYou'll get your shot 25

  5. What do you notice about the use of the word “son” in this song? • What do you notice about lines 6-10? What effect does it have on the song? 3. Why did the writer use the words “wifey” and “blowed?” 4. Why do you think the author chose not to use too many words that are typically associated with childbirth? 5. How does the author use figurative language? Explain specific examples.

  6. Consider This 17th Century Poem To his Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell Had we but world enough, and time,This coyness, lady, were no crime.We would sit down and think which wayTo walk, and pass our long love's day;Thou by the Indian Ganges' sideShouldst rubies find; I by the tideOf Humber would complain. I wouldLove you ten years before the Flood;And you should, if you please, refuseTill the conversion of the Jews.My vegetable love should growVaster than empires, and more slow.An hundred years should go to praiseThine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;Two hundred to adore each breast,But thirty thousand to the rest;An age at least to every part,And the last age should show your heart.For, lady, you deserve this state,Nor would I love at lower rate.

  7.         But at my back I always hearTime's winged chariot hurrying near;And yonder all before us lieDeserts of vast eternity.Thy beauty shall no more be found,Nor, in thy marble vault, shall soundMy echoing song; then worms shall tryThat long preserv'd virginity,And your quaint honour turn to dust,And into ashes all my lust.The grave's a fine and private place,But none I think do there embrace.        Now therefore, while the youthful hueSits on thy skin like morning dew,And while thy willing soul transpiresAt every pore with instant fires,Now let us sport us while we may;And now, like am'rous birds of prey,Rather at once our time devour,Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.Let us roll all our strength, and allOur sweetness, up into one ball;And tear our pleasures with rough strifeThorough the iron gates of life.Thus, though we cannot make our sunStand still, yet we will make him run.

  8. Give DETAILED answers to the following questions: • Why does the author use an “aa bb cc” etc. rhyme scheme? • Why does the author use historical allusions? • To whom is the speaker talking? Describe her. • What is the tone of the first stanza? • Describe the use of figurative language in the second stanza. • How does the tone change in the second stanza? • The third stanza finally states the speaker’s purpose. What is it? What phrases clue you in?

  9. Your Turn • Create a poem, song, rap, etc. that uses sophisticated diction and word play. • The piece should be a minimum of 20 lines. • Homophones, homographs, double entendres, and/or figurative language should be used to convey your message. • Finally, you should focus on ONE topic in detail.

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