Introduction
Authors often use rhetorical devices to enhance their writing. A popular example of this currently is the writing of Lady Whistledown from the Netflix series Bridgerton. She uses things like metaphor, simile, alliteration, foreshadowing, irony, paradox, symbolism, and repetition.
Imagine you are now a part of the ton. As a part of the ton, it is important that you are able to understand and decipher what Lady Whistledown is writing about. After all, her gossip could be about you...
Task
Today, you will read different excerpts, lyrics, or poetry that features rhetorical devices. It is your job to identify the rhetorical devices. After identifying some examples, you will write a column similar to those of Lady Whistledown.
Who will have their pens ready to report the latest news of the ton?
Process
BEGIN HERE:
- In your groups, create ONE google doc that is shared between each group member (https://www.google.com/docs/about/).
- The title of your google doc should be "Rhetorical Devices Webquest."
- The first line should be "Group members: Name 1, Name 2, Name 3, and Name 4."
- Next, go to the next line and begin part 1.
PART 1:
Define and give an example of each of these rhetorical devices.
- metaphor, simile, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, foreshadowing, irony, paradox, symbolism, and repetition
PART 2:
Read the passage excerpts and identify the rhetorical devices.
PART 3:
Read these poems and identify 2 rhetorical devices in each one. Then, write a short explanation for a theme (2-3 sentences). If you need a refresher on theme, use these links: https://www.litcharts.com/literary-devices-and-terms/theme, https://www.scribophile.com/academy/what-is-theme, or https://writers.com/common-themes-in-literature.
- A Red, Red Rose - https://americanliterature.com/author/robert-burns/poem/a-red-red-rose
- Annabel Lee - https://americanliterature.com/author/edgar-allan-poe/poem/annabel-lee#google_vignette
- Dreams - https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dreams-2/
- Nothing Gold Can Stay - https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/nothing-gold-can-stay/
- And Still I Rise - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise
PART 4:
Watch this video excerpt from Bridgerton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjdFaijxJWo
Now that you have an idea of Lady Whistledown's writing, in your group, write a column piece about one of the following topics:
- Taylor Swift, her music, and her relationships
- A major sports upset and what led to it
- A book that you want to be made into a movie and who could play the roles
Your column piece should be made of complete sentences. The length requirement is at least 15 sentences. If you use any sources, you must cite them in MLA format.
MLA format resource - https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html
Part 5:
Designate one member of your group to turn in your google doc on google classroom (https://edu.google.com/workspace-for-education/classroom/).
In the comments of the submission space, type each group member's name.
Evaluation
Each part will be graded as follows:
Part 1 - 20 pts total (2 points for each correct definition and example)
Part 2 - 25 pts total (around 3 points for each correct identification of rhetorical devices)
Part 3 - 25 pts total (5 points for each poem: 1 for each rhetorical device, 3 for theme)
Part 4 - 30 pts total (each sentence is worth 2 points)
Conclusion
Congratulations gentle readers! You should now know how to decipher rhetorical devices at least a little better than you did before you started. Remember, these things enhance your writing, so use them! We will continue building upon these skills as the semester progresses. I hope you were also reminded about all the different themes that could be present in literature as well. We will be starting a new novel soon, so we will talk about theme quite often.