from
Love’s Vocabulary
English I p. 163-168
Read page 163
Diane Ackerman’s deep interest in natural history is evident in all of her work.
Note that in addition to writing nonfiction, Ackerman is also an award-winning
poet.
Note that the author uses figurative language throughout the essay.
Metaphors are figures of speech that directly compare two unlike things.
Ackerman uses words that have positive or negative connotations, or shades
of meaning, which have a cumulative effect.
1. What is being compared in lines 2-4?
2. What connotations do the words have?
3. What is their cumulative effect?
The central idea is the author’s main point about the topic. As you read the
essay, look for other ideas that develop the central idea.
4. Identify the central idea Ackerman presents at the very beginning of the
essay.
5. How does she support this idea?
Share your answer with your shoulder partner. (2 min.)
Read page 164-165
Similes are figures of speech that make comparisons, often using the words
like or as. The words authors use in figurative language such as similes can
have connotations that are positive or negative.
6. Re-read (line 28-40) and identify the simile. Explain whether it has a
positive or negative connotation.
Authors develop and refine their ideas by supporting them with reasons, facts,
and examples.
7. What are some facts, reasons, and examples that Ackerman uses to
support her idea that love “can mean almost nothing or absolutely
everything” (lines 41-42).
8. Ackerman says that the form in which love appears depends onmany
factors. Explain what factors might influence the guise in which love
comes.
The Tone, the author’s attitude toward the subject or the reader, is conveyed
thorough word choice and the feelings or images that these words create.
9. Re-read (line 66) beginning with the statement, “Since all we have is one
word” and concluding with “ a hundred times that much!” (line 73). What
is the author’s tone in this passage?
Share your answer with your shoulder partner. (2 min.)
Read page 164-165 continued
10. Explain how the author’s choice of words creates this tone.
An author often provides examples that support an idea introduced
in an earlier passage.
11. Re-read lines 74-77: How does Ackerman’s description of
Elizabeth Barrett Browning relate to the earlier statement from
lines 15-18?
Ackerman says that the form in which love appears depends on
many factors.
12. Explain what factors might influence the guise in which love
comes.
Share your answer with your shoulder partner. (2 min.)
Read page 166-167
Authors use examples to create bridges between ideas.
13. Re-read lines 85-93 and lines 111-112. How does the example of the
ancient Egyptian woman in the Detroit automobile factory create a
bridge between ideas?
14. Ackerman says that a flexible vocabulary is required to describe a
complicated emotion such as love. Explain what a supple vocabulary
of love would include?
15. Ackerman says that here are many verbs to express the subtle
degrees of hate. Name some words that describe gradations of
hate.
A simile is a form of figurative language that makes a comparison
between unlike things.
16. Re-read lines 138-140. Explain the simile in these lines. What
comparison is made? What does it say about love?
17. Re-read lines 143-145, explain the tone of the description, cite the
word choices that create that tone.
Share your answer with your shoulder partner. (2 min.)
Read page 168
Authors sometimes repeat ideas in order to reinforce them.
18. Re-read the last paragraph on the essay. Which sentence in the
final paragraph repeats the idea expressed in lines 126-127?
How does the second statement expand on the first statement?
19. Write a paragraph answering the following prompt: Does the
author answer the question “What is love?” How is love
described in the essay? Select the description you think is best
and support your choice with evidence from the text.
Share your answer with your shoulder partner. (2 min.)