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American Literature. Important Terms. value. Value: An intangible concept, attitude, behavior, or belief that is meaningful or valuable Values provide an internal reference for what is right and wrong Personal values and cultural values usually intersect and overlap Examples: Family
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American Literature Important Terms
value • Value: An intangible concept, attitude, behavior, or belief that is meaningful or valuable • Values provide an internal reference for what is right and wrong • Personal values and cultural values usually intersect and overlap • Examples: • Family • Love of country • Justice
Loaded language • Loaded language:language that tries to influence the reader by appealing to their emotions rather than their logic or reason (emotive language) • Examples: • Mighty – the literal meaning is powerful or forceful, but it is often used to describe a good or benevolent type of power • pro-life • tax relief • beast/animal • Purpose: creates bias • Bias: A personal and (sometimes) unreasoned judgment
Denotation Vs. connotation • Denotation:the explicit or direct meaning of a word or set of words; the literal meaning or “dictionary definition” • Example: Snake (n) – a long, limbless reptile; can be harmless or venomous • Connotation:an emotional association that words or phrases carry; can be positive or negative • Example: Snake (n) – a person who is unreliable, sneaky, or evil *** This type of loaded language relies on the author’s chosen words’ connotation to convey its intended message. ***
Denotation Vs. connotation • What is the denotation of discriminate? • To note or observe a difference • What is the connotation of discriminate? • To treat an individual differently because of that difference • Examples: • Do you still cheat on your math tests? • 10 steps to a wealthier 2012! • 10 minutes to flat abs!
paradox • Paradox: an opinion or statement contrary to popular or widely accepted opinion; leads to a contradiction; usually expresses a possible truth • Examples: • Everything I say is a lie. • There is a method to my madness. • This statement is false. • “We are alert, curious, hopeful, and we take more drugs designed to make us unaware than any other people.” – Steinbeck • All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. – First Commandment from Animal Farm