American Realism

​English 11 Unit 3-1

The American Narrative

Humor and Subjectivity​

3-1 Assignments due 2/28

3-2 Assignments due 3/05

3-3 Assignments due​ 3/08

3.4.3 CST Unit test due date ​ 3/11

​Mark Twain

​Objectives

​

• Identify elements of humor and satire.

• Analyze the descriptive and humorous elements of a text.

• Removed the discussion objective

• Write a humorous narrative.

• Use sensory language to convey vivid experiences.​

​Mark Twain is a pen name. His real name is

Samuel Clemens He lived from 1835-1910. He

wrote to entertain, but often used his writing

to criticize flaws in society. He used humor

to express his feelings.​

​

He had an enormous effect on American culture

and literature.​

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Life on the Mississippi

Numerous short stories -- "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras

County"​

3.1 Overview and 3.1.2 page 1

​American Realism 3.1.2 page 2

​We now leave Romanticism with its focus on beauty and Idealism.

​

Twain's writing is dedicated to real people, real speech, and real situations---- marks the birth of a new literary era:

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​To make his stories more realistic he represented real speech patterns. He wrote conversations as they would have sounded in real life. He altered his writing to show the dialect of a characer.

​Dialect 3.1.2 page 3

​Satire 3.1.2 page 4

​Often used to point out the flaws of an important person, event, concept, or institution with the goal of pushing for a change. Often presented with humorous techniques.

​

Became very important in the Realism movement during Civil War times. Lots of flaws in society then, so writers used a lot of satire.

​

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn pointed out society's misguided ideas about African Americans.​

​Understatement -- makes something seem less important than it really is. This helps emphasize its importance.

​

Hyperbole -- exaggerates to make a point. It is more direct than understatement​.

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These often accompany satire.​

3.1.2 page 5​

Multiple Choice

1. There were always clouds in that dingy little valley. It rained. It always rained. This is an example of

• Understatement
• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

2. The ocean has a decent amount of water in it. This is an example of

• Understatement
• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

3. I suppose that getting into a fistfight with the principal was a little bit out of line. This is an example of

• Understatement
• Hyperbole

​Situational irony 3.1.2 page 6

​Irony has to do with the difference between what you expect to happen and what actually happens.

​

The police station gets robbed.

The fire station burns down.

A social media boasts complains about how useless social media is.​

​Sarcasm 3.1.2 page 7

​Another satirical technique. This is also in the irony family. It's called verbal irony.

​

It is used when you say the opposite of what you mean for effect.​

​

You're involved in an accident-- and say, "Oh yeah, this is just what I needed today."​

​

Someone punches you right in the face. You see stars and say, "Is that all you've got?"​

Match

Match the following

• understatement

• irony

• sarcasm

• hyperbole

That guy's ability to beatbox is a little unique.

Doug told everyone they had no right to criticize free speech.

Best idea ever!

I would never try to get out of raking the yard.

• That guy's ability to beatbox is a little unique.

• Doug told everyone they had no right to criticize free speech.

• Best idea ever!

• I would never try to get out of raking the yard.

​Literary Nonfiction 3.1.2 page 11

​Non-fiction so it's true, but it's meant to read like a story or novel, not like an encyclopedia article. This means it's more enjoyable and engaging for the reader.

​

Twain's memoir Life on the Mississippi recounts his days as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River.​

​

Read 3.1.4 an excerpt from Life on the Mississippi.

3.1.6 Discuss eliminated

​Non-fiction vs. Literary non-fiction

​Typical nonfiction, like many news articles, tries to be objective — telling the truth without adding personal opinion.

​

However, literary nonfiction presents truth through a subjective narrator. It also uses detailed descriptions (imagery).

​

​3.1.7 pages 3-6 The entire 3.1.7 Study helps you
understand Life on the MIssissippi

​Idiom 3.1.7 page 7

​A figure of speech that means something different than a literal translation of the words would lead one to believe.

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For example, "it's raining cats and dogs" is a common idiom.

​

"Your Mom will hit the ceiling if we're late for dinner."​

​Dialogue 3.1.9 page 9

​Realistic dialogue adds realism to your narrative.

​

Some elements of realistic dialogue are dialect, figures of speech and idioms.​ Also take note of the punctuation.

​3.1.9 & 3.1.0 Prepare a Narrative

​Write a narrative about a humorous situation. Whether you focus on a real event or make up a fictional one, you must use comedic techniques and rich description to bring the experience to life.

​

This writing assignment will focus on the following skills:

• Creating a first-person narrator with a clear perspective

• Creating a funny situation or problem

• Writing realistic dialogue

• Writing vivid description

​

Be sure to check the rubric! It asks for 2 comedic techniques---7 pts

Description that appeals to the senses and creates a vivid setting -- 7 pts

​Let's investigate that rubric!!

​What comedic techniques did we study?

​PLUS Sarcasm........ which is a form of irony

​3.1.9 Page 4

​In the CHAT to ME


Write at least 2 of the comedic techniques we talked about today.