gp literary techniques

8/3/2019 GP Literary Techniques

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metaphor

noun1 a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it isnot literally applicable (e.g. food for thought). 2 a thing symbolic of something else.

How to answer questions on metaphors

Just like irony questions, adopting the right structure for your answer helps. Your answer willtypically look like this:

Just like[idea in metaphor][literal explanation of the metaphor], [corresponding idea fromthe context of the passage][contextual explanation of the idea, linked to the literal meaningabove]

Example 1leeching on the faith of the very believers he derides

Just likeleeches [idea in metaphor] are parasitic creatures that make use of others[literalexplanation of the metaphor], the agnostics [corresponding idea from the context of thepassage] are making use /taking advantage of the believers [contextual explanation of the

idea, linked to the literal meaning above]

Example 2piggy-backing on the scientific achievement of others

Just like how piggy-backing [idea in metaphor] means to ride on someone [literal explanationof the metaphor], the agnostics [corresponding idea from the context of the passage] are free-riding / relying on the scientific progress of others [contextual explanation of the idea, linked tothe literal meaning above]

Remember, all the key literal elements and their corresponding contextual elementsmust be clearly paired in your answer, such that your answer looks symmetrical the blue text shows one set of paired elements, while the red text shows anotherset of paired elements.


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Comprehension skills: How to answerquestions on irony and paradox

Questions on irony, paradox and metaphors fall under the category of figurative questions.

Essentially, what they require is for one to prove that one knows what these terms mean, inthe context of the passage.

Thus, to answer such questions, one would need to

1) Fully understand the meaning ofthese terms

2) Link this understanding to the context of the passage

So, to address point 1), heres a compilation of the definitions of these terms, as givenby askoxford.com:

irony

noun (pl. ironies) 1 the expression of meaning through the use of language which normallysignifies the opposite, typically for humorous effect. 2 a state of affairs that appears perverselycontrary to what one expects.

To answer questions on irony:

1) State that it is ironic because (Note: This helpsensure that you pick out the right answer. However, typically, no marks are awarded for thisstatement.)2) Show how this definition is applicable in the context of the passage (Note: This is typicallywhere the mark gets awarded).

For example:

One expects that .However, in actual fact, .Thus, the irony is in the fact that the expected outcome is contrary to the actual outcome.

paradox

noun1 a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that may in fact betrue. 2 a person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

To answer questions on paradox:

Show that you understand the idea of contradictory ideas coexisting.

1) State that it is a paradox because (Note: Thishelps ensure that you pick out the right answer. However, typically, no marks are awarded forthis statement).2) Show how this definition is applicable in the context of the passage (Note: This is typicallywhere the mark gets awarded).

For example:
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contradicts ,because . Despitethis, both and are seen to occur. Thus, it is a paradox.


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Irony, contradiction and paradox[Analysis of 2002-2010 GCE 'A'Level questions]

Over the past nine years (2002-2010), Cambridge has asked questions on irony, contradictionand paradox four times.

IRONY/CONTRADICTION

Recap the skillshere.

2002

7. Now you have studied the whole article carefully, look again at the opening headline.Explain what is ironic or contradictory about the headline NO SINGLISH PLEASE, WE ARESINGAPOREAN. (1 mark)

It is expected that an article that advocates the value of Singlish as a vehicle for promoting

national identity would have a headline that encourages Singlish. However, in actual fact,the headline is a request for it to be abolished. As the actual headline contradicts the expectedheadline, it is ironic.

2004

1. narrow uniform lives diversity is the new conformity (lines 6-7). Explain the contrast thewriter is making here and in what way it is contradictory. [3m]

The contrast is between the similar and limited lives of the people in the past and the variedopportunities of the present generation (1 mark). The contradiction lies in the fact thatthe contrast is illusorybecause people are still leading similar lives similar in trying to bedifferent.

[Note:This contradiction question is a paradox question - there are two contradictoryideas coexisting. The first mark went towards explaining the contrast. The second markwas nottesting your ability to explain the paradox (that was the intention of the third mark).Instead, the second mark was to test your ability to identify the fact thatitseems contradictory, but isn't - it's a paradox]

2006

7. Using your own words as far as possible explain why, in paragraph 5, the author claims thatfraternity solves the contradiction (lines 60-61) of the other two words of the clarion call. [2]

[Note: This question has two requirements - only the first requirement is your typical "explainthe irony/contradiction"; the second requires you to identify the relevant point from thepassage and paraphrase it]

[Requirement 1]The other two words of the clarion call are liberty and equality. Liberty, for those who havenatural advantages, inevitably means that they will obtain more than others, thus negating theprinciple of equality[explanation of the contradiction].

[Requirement 2]However, when people feel kinship towards others [explanation of "fraternity"] they willvoluntarily sacrificetheir natural superiority for the betterment of those who areunderprivileged [explanation of why].
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2010

5. Using your own words as far as possible, explain the irony which the author describes inlines 54-55. [2]

It is expected that books advocating eating more will not be placed with those thatadvocate eating less. However, in actual fact, such books advocating contradictory

behaviour are placed in close proximity to each other. As the expected situation contradictsthe actual situation, it is ironic.

PARADOX

2008

7. the only lesson to be learnt from history is that there are no lessons to be learnt fromhistory (lines 7-8)Explain why this is a paradox. [1m]

SKILL: Explain why it APPEARS contradictory but why it ACTUALLY ISNT.

The statement appears contradictory as one would not expect history to teach us somethingand nothing at the same time. However, the knowledge that history teaches us nothing is alesson in itself. Thus, the paradox is that history teaches us something and nothing at thesame time.

OR

The author states that history teaches us nothing. Yet, contradictorily, knowing this is in itself alesson. Since two contradictory ideas occur simultaneously, it is a paradox.


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Punctuation: Inverted commas andellipsis[Analysis of 2002-2010 GCE 'A'Level questions]

24102011Over the past nine years (2002-2010), Cambridge has asked a question on punctuation fivetimes. And so far, theyve only asked two types of punctuation questions: Inverted commasand ellipsis.

Quotation marks/inverted commas

2003

4(a) Why does the author put quotation marks round suffer, enjoy and desire (line 34)?[1m]

These words do not really apply to animals; they are emotional states which only humans

experience.

(b) Why is exploit in quotation marks in line 40? [1m]

The author was being sarcastic at the supporters expense.OR This is a word animal rights supporters use, which the author is showing to beinappropriate because it applies to people not animals, or it is too extreme a word.

2009

Q8) those favoured few (Line 66). Why does the author place inverted commas aroundfavoured? [1]

The author is being sarcastic/ironic.

OR The inverted commas around the word indicate that he thinks they are the opposite ofbeing fortunate and that they are not that blessed after all.

2010

6. Why is the word her (ln66) in inverted commas? [1]

The recipe does not actually belong to Babette because Babette is a fictitious characterOR The recipe does not actually belong to Babette; the recipe actually belongs to the authorof Babettes Feast.

Thus, answers to questions on inverted commas should consider the following:

Is the author being sarcastic? If so, include The author is being sarcastic in youranswer.

What is the actual/literal/typical definition/meaning/implication of the word in invertedcommas, and what is the authors intended meaning? In your answer, include bothelements in your answer: The author doesnot actually mean that (stateactual/literal/typical definition/meaning/implication); instead, the author meansthat (state the authors intended definition/meaning/implication)[Note: The second
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part of the answer may not be relevant if it wasn't mentioned or implied in thepassage]

If both points above are applicable, state both in your answer.

Ellipsis/three dots ()

2004

2. What does the author intend for you to understand by the three dots () at the end of thefirst paragraph?

The author is pointing out the idea that the cycle will be repeated / suggests repetition.

2007

2. pandemics spread by superbugs (line 5)

Which phrase earlier in this first sentence explains the three dots at its conclusion? [1]

The phrase is, seemingly endless catalogue (line 1). (Explanation:The three dots indicatedthatthe listof examples of apocalyptic scenarioscould be indefinitely extended. )

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