9GT Summer Reading Assignment
Your summer assignment is to read The Iliad, translated by Richard Lattimore. This is the only
version that is acceptable. As you are reading, you need to complete a SAY-MEAN-MATTER
chart. You will find an example below. The chart should contain a minimum of 30 examples from
the text.
This assignment is due September 3/4. Your knowledge of the work will be assessed on that day
with an in-class writing. You will be allowed to use your graphic organizer so it would benefit you
greatly to have it completed and present that day. The graphic organizer will also be collected and
graded as part of your summer assignment.
The assessment will ask you to analyze how the author uses literary devices and diction to support
the theme. Therefore, your examples in your graphic organizer should relate to the theme and show
some evidence of literary devices. There may be multiple themes within the work so you should
decide if you want to focus on one or more than one. You should be able to write a theme statement
(what is the poem saying about the theme subject) after completing the reading and chart.
Here is a sample of what a SAY-MEAN-MATTER chart should look like:
SAY
MEAN
MATTER
Here is where you record a direct
quote from the work. Make sure it
is in proper MLA format.
Here is where you paraphrase or
interpret the quote. What does it
mean? What is being said? Is there
a literary device used? (Consult the
chart. You should try to find
examples of literary devices.)
Why is this line important? (Keep
in mind you should only choose
lines that are important.) What is
the context of who said it and why?
If a literary device is used, how
does it add to the line? What was
the purpose? How does this line
relate to theme? What is the
significance?
But she saw beyond that bitter
moment a long procession of hers
to come that would belong to her
absolutely. And she opened and
spread her arms out to them in
welcome (Chopin 1).
This quote demonstrates that Mrs.
Mallard has an optimistic view
about her future. She senses
freedom in the nearby future. She
will no longer be confined to the
restraints of marriage.
This quote from the text captures
the author’s overall message about
women having a lack of identity
during the 1800s. Once a woman
became married, she did not have
an opportunity to discover her selfidentity. The primary role of a
woman was to be a wife and a
mother. Mrs. Mallard is overcome
by a sense of freedom through the
death of her husband. She would no
longer be seen as an extension of
her husband.
In the example, notice how more writing and analysis occurs in each subsequent category. The
matter column should have the most relevant analysis of the importance of the quote.
Rhetorical Devices and Strategies
Absolute A word free from limitations or qualifications (“best,” “all,” “unique,” “perfect”)
Ad hominem An argument attacking an individual’s character rather than his or her position on
an issue.
Alliteration The repetition of initial sounds in successive or neighboring words.
Allusion A reference to something literary, mythological, or historical that the author assumes
the reader will recognize.
Analogy A comparison that points out similarities between two dissimilar things; a passage that
points out several similarities between two unlike things is called an extended analogy.
Anaphora Repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of consecutive lines or sentences.
Antithesis A statement in which two opposing ideas are balanced, as in: “Ask not what your
country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Aphorism A short, pithy statement that expresses succinctly a general truth or idea, often using
rhyme or balance. Also see adage and maxim.
Apostrophe A form of personification in which a speaker directly addresses an absent or dead
person, an abstract quality, or something non-human as if it were present and capable of
responding. Example: “Oh, you cruel streets of Manhattan, how I detest you!”
Assonance The repetition of two or more vowel sounds in a group of words in prose or poetry.
Asyndeton A construction in which elements are presented in a series without conjunctions.
Chiasmus A statement consisting of two parallel parts in which the second part is structurally
reversed Example: Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.
Colloquialism Informal words or expressions not usually acceptable in formal writing
Dialect The recreation of regional spoken language, such as a Southern Dialect
Ellipsis The omission of a word or phrase which is grammatically necessary but can be deduced
from the context; sometimes marked by three periods (…) or a comma. Example: Some people
prefer cats; others, dogs.
Euphemism A more acceptable and usually more pleasant way of saying something that might
be inappropriate or uncomfortable.
Expletive An interjection to led emphasis; sometimes, a profanity.
Hyperbole Deliberate, extravagant, and often outrageous exaggeration for serious or comic
effect.
Idiom An expression in a given language that cannot be understood from the literal meaning of
the words in the expression; or, a regional speech or dialect
Imagery Language that appeals to the senses
Litotes A form of understatement in which the negative of the contrary is used to achieve
emphasis or intensity. It was not a pretty picture.
Metaphor A direct comparison of two different things
Metonymy Substituting the name of one thing for another thing with which it is closely
associated The White House=The President as in, “The White House proclaimed that the feat
was unprecedented.”
Non Sequitur An error in cause-and-consequence analysis; faulty conclusions about
consequences (The US lost the war in Asia, so shouldn’t intervene elsewhere.)
Onomatopoeia The use of words that mimic the sounds they describe. Example: bubbling,
murmuring brooks.
Oxymoron A term consisting of contradictory elements juxtaposed to create a paradoxical
effect. Example: sweet sorrow, cold fire.
Paradox A statement that seems self-contradictory but is, nevertheless, true.
Parallelism The use of corresponding grammatical or syntactical forms.
Parataxis related clauses in a series without the use of connecting words (“I came, I saw, I
conquered.)
Parenthetical A comment that interrupts the immediate subject, often to qualify or explain.
Periodic Sentence Presents its main clause at the end of the sentence for emphasis and sentence
variety.
Personification Endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or
characteristics.
Polysyndeton The use of more conjunctions than is necessary or natural
Pun A play on words that are identical or similar in sound but have sharply diverse meanings.
Rhetorical Question A question to which the audience already knows the answer; a question
asked merely for effect with no answer expected.
Simile A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as.
Syllogism A form of deductive reasoning in which given certain ideas or facts other ideas or
facts must follow, as in All men are mortal; Mike is a man; therefore, Mike is mortal.
Synecdoche A form of metaphor that utilizes a part as a representative or whole All hands on
deck.; or whole represents a part Canada played the United States in the finals; the container
represents the thing being contained The pot is boiling.; the material from which an object is
made stands for the object The quarterback tossed the pigskin.
Understatement The deliberate representation of something as lesser in magnitude than it
actually is
Vernacular The everyday speech of a particular country or region, often involving nonstandard
usage.