Close Reading Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is a simile
Tells you that one thing is like another. Compares two different objects, words “like” or “as”
Give an example of an simile
His eyes were as black as night
How do you explain a simile
Describe the similar qualities the two things share and explain the image this gives you
What is a metaphor
It tells you that one thing is something else which it could not be, not literally
Give an example of a metaphor
The girl was a statue
How would you explain a metaphor
‘Just…as…so’ (phrase) explain the image it gives you
What is personification
It describes a thing or an object as if it is a person or is alive and conscious
Give an example of personification
The wind stroked my hair
How would you explain personification
Imagine a person doing the action and explain what image this gives you
(Has word person in it)
What is alliteration
Some or all words in a sentence or in a line of poetry begin with the same letter
Give an example of alliteration
The beautiful baby burped
How would you explain alliteration
Whether hard or soft sound are created and what impact they have on you
What is onomatopoeia
It describes the sound that an action makes
Give an example of onomatopoeia
Crash!! Hiss! Bang!
How would you explain onomatopoeia
Whether a hard or soft sound is created and what impact this has on you
What’s the four steps to answering a link question
- Quote the word(s) from the linking sentence which look back
- Explain in your own words what topic or idea these words refer to
- Quote the word(s) from the linking sentence which look forward
- Explain in your own words what topic or idea these words refer to
What do commas do
Can introduce a list or be used as brackets (if there are 2)
What are colon used for
Introducing a list, quotations, explanations, elaboration or summary
What are semi-colon used for
A list, to create more emphasis on part if the list, to show balance or contrast between two clause or used instead of a conjunction
How to you answer context questions
- Explain the meaning of the word
2. Explain the context. (words/description around the word helping you to work out the meaning)
What can lists do
Lists can indicate the amount of something or how long something takes. A list of verbs, for example, might imply a lot of action.
E.g. I stopped, I stumbled and ran until I couldn’t breathe
What does repetition do
Repetition usually emphasises something, but you have to be able to explain WHAT it emphasises.
E.g. The sea, the sea, the beautiful sea
What is a climax
There will be a sense of progress in the sentence, feeling as if it is leading to something and finishing with the most powerful point
E.g. He pulled the life, saw its blade glint in the sun, then he plunged it in her heart
What does an anti-climax do
There will be a sameness of progress in the sentence, feeling as if it is leading to something and yet finishing with the least important/dramatic point
E.g. He pulled the knife, saw its blade glint in the sun, then he reached for a roll and butter
