Lesson 3: Words Light A fire
In this unit we are learning how words can be carefully chosen to create an emotional response in an audience.
This is a continuation of the study of how authors craft stories, but in this unit we are moving away from studying fiction to looking at non-fiction.
Later in the unit, we'll be writing an analysis essay about an important letter from the Civil Rights Movement.
In the last lesson we learned about the power words have to communicate creatively. Simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism (and maybe hyperbole) are terms that you took notes on (remember, I said that it would be a good idea to do that and save them?)
So in this lesson, we are going to analyze a song--a protest song--for the power of not only its words, but also it's rhyme and rhythm.
Music lovers, this one's for you!
This is a continuation of the study of how authors craft stories, but in this unit we are moving away from studying fiction to looking at non-fiction.
Later in the unit, we'll be writing an analysis essay about an important letter from the Civil Rights Movement.
In the last lesson we learned about the power words have to communicate creatively. Simile, metaphor, personification, symbolism (and maybe hyperbole) are terms that you took notes on (remember, I said that it would be a good idea to do that and save them?)
So in this lesson, we are going to analyze a song--a protest song--for the power of not only its words, but also it's rhyme and rhythm.
Music lovers, this one's for you!
Protest: A way to change society
Protest has been an effective way to get laws changed quickly.
Have you been watching the news lately?
Can you think of the most recent instance of protest in this country? What was it about? How long did it last?
What was the result? HOW did the people protest?
There are other ways people can show their disagreement with the status quo (the way things are). one of the most effective ways is to create a protest song.
Why do you think a song is an effective form of protest?
Read the information on slide 3.
And oh, look!! We get more figurative language terms!! Find your notes that you started last lesson and get ready to add to them.
Have you been watching the news lately?
Can you think of the most recent instance of protest in this country? What was it about? How long did it last?
What was the result? HOW did the people protest?
There are other ways people can show their disagreement with the status quo (the way things are). one of the most effective ways is to create a protest song.
Why do you think a song is an effective form of protest?
Read the information on slide 3.
And oh, look!! We get more figurative language terms!! Find your notes that you started last lesson and get ready to add to them.
Figurative Language terms
Remember, figurative language is a way of using words creatively.
Storytellers (that can be a writer, screen writer, speaker, song writer, preacher, or entertainer) know figurative language. And you, being an educated person, should also. Even if you are never a storyteller (and I doubt that you will never be in a circumstance that you would be asked to entertain an audience of some kind) it's good to know how to identify figurative language when it comes your way.
The interactive on slide 3 gives you the following terms. Add to or start your notes on Figurative Language. You'll need to know these terms for your essay later in the unit.
1. Allusion--oh! we had that one from last lesson. That's easy!
Allusion means when a storyteller references some other story or event.
2. Hyberbole--I mentioned it in the last lesson's weebly, but it was not in the Connexus lesson.
Hyperbole is when a statement is exaggerated for effect.
3. IRONY--NEW TERM!!
Irony is a situation where the opposite of what one would expect.
For many examples of irony, I suggest listening to Alanis Morisette's (1995) song, "Ironic."
Storytellers (that can be a writer, screen writer, speaker, song writer, preacher, or entertainer) know figurative language. And you, being an educated person, should also. Even if you are never a storyteller (and I doubt that you will never be in a circumstance that you would be asked to entertain an audience of some kind) it's good to know how to identify figurative language when it comes your way.
The interactive on slide 3 gives you the following terms. Add to or start your notes on Figurative Language. You'll need to know these terms for your essay later in the unit.
1. Allusion--oh! we had that one from last lesson. That's easy!
Allusion means when a storyteller references some other story or event.
2. Hyberbole--I mentioned it in the last lesson's weebly, but it was not in the Connexus lesson.
Hyperbole is when a statement is exaggerated for effect.
3. IRONY--NEW TERM!!
Irony is a situation where the opposite of what one would expect.
For many examples of irony, I suggest listening to Alanis Morisette's (1995) song, "Ironic."
4. Metaphor--that's from last lesson
Metaphor is a comparison of unlike things. Very similar to simile, but DOES NOT use the words "like" or "as"
5. Rhetorical Question--NEW TERM!!
Rhetorical Question is when a storyteller asks a question but does not really expect an answer. Check out the video. It's 20 seconds long and it's animated. How can you go wrong? (That's a rhetorical question).
6. Simile. Yawn, Already know it. If you don't write it down.
7. Paradox--NEW TERM!!
A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself but can be true.
Huh?
Thing of the movie Back to the Future (1985) and the Space Time Continuum...what? You've never seen Back to the Future?? What have you done in your life?
Here,. this is a paradoxical idea:
Paradox is a somewhat abstract (and therefore kind of difficult to explain with just a definition) concept. A paradox is like a puzzle that has no solution, or an idea that keeps circling back on itself. Have you ever seen a drawing of a staircase that leads nowhere? Or this:
That's a paradox.
Got it?
That's ok, you will.
Maybe not right away, but eventually.
7. Personification--easy. Last lesson.
Personification is when a storyteller gives human charactertics or actions to non-human objects.
Got it?
That's ok, you will.
Maybe not right away, but eventually.
7. Personification--easy. Last lesson.
Personification is when a storyteller gives human charactertics or actions to non-human objects.
sound devices
Communicating ideas through written and verbal techniques is effective, but who doesn't like a little beat to go with a message?
Putting a message to music makes it that much more memorable. Want proof? I bet if I asked you, you could sing, recite, or spit a song, poem or lyric RIGHT NOW. However, if I asked you to memorize a passage from a book or speech, it would be a bit more difficult. Unless you've specifically spent time memorizing written prose, it doesn't stick.
There's something to be said for music or a beat that makes messages get into our brains and stick there. Someday you should do research about that and then become a teacher and tech your students with music and beats only. It would be awesome.
Ok, guess what? Just like there are figurative language devices, there are also sound devices. These are the techniques storytellers use to put their messages to a beat. Take notes:
1. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning consonant sound.
So repetition of words that begin with any letter other than a,e,i,o, or u.(those are the vowels--consonants are the other letters in the alphabet).
Observe:
Peter Piper picked a peck of peppered pickles.
2. Refrain (aka the hook aka the chorus)
Refrain is the repeated lines of the song or speech.
So the refrain for Ironic is:
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's the free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would have thought?
It figures.
3. Rhyme
Rhyme is the pattern of similar end sounds to words.
Read Dr. Seuss or listen to rap for examples of rhyme.
4. Rhythm
Rhythm is the hardest word on earth to spell.
it is also the beat of words or music. Find the rhythm by clapping at regular intervals while listening to something. Do you have to clap fast, slow or moderately? That tells you the beat of the piece.
Got all that in your notes? Great!!
Let's move on!
Click to slide 4 of the lesson.
Use the interactive on slide 4 to practice identifying figurative language in song lyrics
Putting a message to music makes it that much more memorable. Want proof? I bet if I asked you, you could sing, recite, or spit a song, poem or lyric RIGHT NOW. However, if I asked you to memorize a passage from a book or speech, it would be a bit more difficult. Unless you've specifically spent time memorizing written prose, it doesn't stick.
There's something to be said for music or a beat that makes messages get into our brains and stick there. Someday you should do research about that and then become a teacher and tech your students with music and beats only. It would be awesome.
Ok, guess what? Just like there are figurative language devices, there are also sound devices. These are the techniques storytellers use to put their messages to a beat. Take notes:
1. Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning consonant sound.
So repetition of words that begin with any letter other than a,e,i,o, or u.(those are the vowels--consonants are the other letters in the alphabet).
Observe:
Peter Piper picked a peck of peppered pickles.
2. Refrain (aka the hook aka the chorus)
Refrain is the repeated lines of the song or speech.
So the refrain for Ironic is:
It's like rain on your wedding day
It's the free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
And who would have thought?
It figures.
3. Rhyme
Rhyme is the pattern of similar end sounds to words.
Read Dr. Seuss or listen to rap for examples of rhyme.
4. Rhythm
Rhythm is the hardest word on earth to spell.
it is also the beat of words or music. Find the rhythm by clapping at regular intervals while listening to something. Do you have to clap fast, slow or moderately? That tells you the beat of the piece.
Got all that in your notes? Great!!
Let's move on!
Click to slide 4 of the lesson.
Use the interactive on slide 4 to practice identifying figurative language in song lyrics
Assessment: Portfolio
On slide 7 of the lesson, you are given a list of songs to analyze for this lesson's portfolio assignment.
Chose one.
Fill out the Analyze a Protest Song Worksheet given on slide 7.
Chose one.
Fill out the Analyze a Protest Song Worksheet given on slide 7.
Alternative Assessment
All I really would like to know from you is if you can find figurative language within the song lyrics.
As an alternative to completing the Analyze a Protest Song worksheet, you may (for full points) find an example of five of the seven figurative language devices in your song.
Please number your list, identify the device, give an explanation for the device, and then give the song lyrics that provide an example of the figurative language device. You may find a table will help keep your assignment neat and easy for your teacher to read.
As an alternative to completing the Analyze a Protest Song worksheet, you may (for full points) find an example of five of the seven figurative language devices in your song.
Please number your list, identify the device, give an explanation for the device, and then give the song lyrics that provide an example of the figurative language device. You may find a table will help keep your assignment neat and easy for your teacher to read.
Weebly Extra Credit
Extra credit is only applicable to the alternative assessment.
For up to 40 extra credit points, include the 4 sound devices in your table.
Same deal--numbered, device, explanation of device, lyrics from the song that provide an example of the sound device.
10 extra credit points on this assignment for every sound device identified. Correctly, of course.
For up to 40 extra credit points, include the 4 sound devices in your table.
Same deal--numbered, device, explanation of device, lyrics from the song that provide an example of the sound device.
10 extra credit points on this assignment for every sound device identified. Correctly, of course.