Diction & syntax (The Handmaid's Tale chapter 25)

Define diction

• word order, or the way in which the elements of language (words, phrases, clauses, etc.) are arranged to create well-formed sentences

• the emotional atmosphere of a piece of writing, created through diction, figurative language, and other choices

• word choice, or the type of language an author uses

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Define syntax

• the author’s, speaker’s, or narrator’s attitude toward a subject, evident through diction and other style elements

• word order, or the way in which the elements of language (words, phrases, clauses, etc.) are arranged to create well-formed sentences

• word choice, or the type of language an author uses

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following are questions you can use as a guide to help evaluate the author's diction? Check all that apply.

• Does the author ask many questions within the text?

• Are the words simple and easy to understand or complex and technical?

• Does the author use nontraditional syntax?

• What are the effects of the syntax that the author chooses on the mood, voice, and tone of the text?

• What are the effects of the words that the author chooses on the mood, voice, and tone of the text?

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Which of the following are questions you can use as a guide to help find syntax? Check all that apply.

• Does the author repeat certain words or sentence structures?

• Is the language used formal or informal? Academic or nonacademic?

• What are the effects of the syntax that the author chooses on the mood, voice, and tone of the text?

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is the difference between mood and tone?

• Tone is the author's attitude and voice. Mood is the overall atmosphere of the text.

• Tone is the overall atmosphere of the text. Mood is the author's voice.

• Tone is how the author sounds. Mood is how the reader feels.

• Tone is how the author writes. Mood is how the reader interpretes.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What type of syntax is used in the first paragraph of chapter 25 and why?

• Short sentences to reflect Cora's sense of shock and urgency

• Long sentences to describe the setting

• Fragmented sentences to reflect Offred's shock

• Descriptive sentences to provide context

What type of syntax is used in these sentences and why?

"The eggs had broken on the floor, there was orange juice and shattered glass." (p.151)

"She was kneeling on the floor, picking up the pieces of broken glass and egg, gathering them onto the tray." (p.152)

• polysyndeton to emphasize Cora's feelings

• anaphora to emphasize the mess

• punctuations to highlight the abruptness

• asyndeton to highlight the tense mood with undertones of unease

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

What kind of diction is used in this sentence to reflect a restrained tone?

"It's one of the early signs." (p.151)

• euphemistic language (implying pregnancy)

• connotative meaning of the word "early"

• denotative meaning of the word "signs"

• vague pronoun "It"

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is special about the syntax in Cora's question?

"What was you doing on the floor like that?" (p.151)

• rhetorical question to emphasize her confusion

• personal pronoun "you" to connect with the reader

• colloquial grammar "was you" to reveal Cora's background

• simile "like that" to emphasize objectification of women

What type of syntax was used in this sentence to highlight the physical and power contrast between Offred and Cora?

"By this time I was sitting in the chair, and she was kneeling on the floor, picking up the pieces of broken glass and egg, gathering them onto the tray." (p.152)

• repetition of the word "was"

• parallelism "I was sitting...She was kneeling"

• connotative meaning of verbs "kneeling, picking, gathering"

• connotative meaning of nouns "floor, glass, egg, tray"