Letter To A Friend
Describing and Explaining
The Letter
OMG I can’t believe the thing that you wrote me about the difference between open and
closed endings. I described pretty much the same things that you did, and I applied
them to a couple of pieces of work that we did in class, and, like, I got a B - …like the
highest mark I have ever gotten in my life. It was so sic (sic).
So now I’m like doing this stuff where I have to explain what’s going on with tropes.
Tropes? I didn’t even know they’re called tropes! I always thought they were just called
literary devices. Shows what I know. Anyway I’m going to have to explain how specific
tropes appear in literature and then what effects they have. Some of them I understood:
like metaphor and personification. But others…what’s metonymy? And then this old
geezer English teacher we have is on about how some tropes require the reader to
“unpack” them using their own history, while others are more “instructive” and don’t
require the reader’s imagination or history so much. Like what’s with that? Since when
do you have to do history to read a poem? I’m not here to take history. I’m doing an
English degree. What’s with this guy? I think he’s an idiot. And he says all of this as if
we’re supposed to know what he is talking about. I didn’t do any of this in English class
when I was in high school. The guy’s a jerk!
So I’m wondering if you could maybe help me out once again…and I promise, promise,
promise that I won’t bug you again. I’m supposed to explain euphemism and
personification in class later on this week and I don’t have a clue. And I do not get this
thing about how some tropes require more imagination and history. Could you explain
this?
The Assignment
Okay…so this person’s really taking advantage of you now. You first think that the fact
that they have clearly gotten a substandard English education is not your problem, and
why should you cover for this lazy bum? But then you think that helping them out
gives you another opportunity to improve your writing a little so you think, “Well okay.
Let’s try this out.” Being the pro that you are you assemble a letter to this person
that:
1.
2.
3.
Defines, illustrates and explains how euphemism and allusion work. The
examples you use must come from those that were presented in
class.
Uses one other trope to explain how some tropes require more of their
reader’s imagination. To do this you define one other trope of your
choosing—one that requires the reader to fill in or put things together. You
then illustrate this trope using examples taken from class, and then you finish
things up by explaining and showing how the trope you have described
requires reader’s input.
Conclude by explaining that while you think it’s great that this person thinks
you’re good at this sort of thing, but that this is the last time, and that at
some point “we all have to become responsible for our own
education.”…that sort of thing.
How To Start
Some Suggestions:
1. Start with good notes that includes examples from class
2. Basic Process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Provide a definition of the trope
Describe an example
Explain example
Move on to next part of discussion (transition) showing the
relationship between that which you have just been talking
about, and that which is coming next.
Let’s Try This Out: My First Comparison
Introduction using a
definition
Next provided an
example
Uses a specific quote
Then explain how the
example illustrates the
idea of a euphemism (the
idea being addressed
here).
Euphemism is a roundabout way of saying
something, and often includes saying something
harsh or difficult indirectly. For example in
class one of the groups that discussed
euphemism included an example cartoon that
had a ventriloquist’s dummy explaining to the
ventriloquist that the word “Dummy is very
demeaning. How about ventriloquist’s
assistant.” The humour in this particular
example works by pointing out that the word
dummy is pretty harsh (the thing being
avoided) and that the dummy (ventriloquist’s
assistant) would rather be referred to as a
ventriloquist’s assistant (a less harsh version of
“dummy”).
Let’s Try This Out
Expanding and extending
explanation.
The joke here has to do in part with what
euphemisms do in a traditional setting, i.e. soften the
blow of what might otherwise be a pretty harsh
statement. Thus the use of the expression “has
passed away” for describing someone that’s dead.
In the joke here, the dummy is concerned about the
negative connotations of the word “Dummy” so he’s
asking his “master” to use the more euphemistic,
less pejorative “ventriloquist’s ssistant” instead of
“dummy. “
Let’s Try This Out:Transition
Good Transitions show
the relationship between
what has just been
discussed, and what is
coming up next.
Allusion is a little different relative to
Euphemism, in that where euphamism works by
dressing something up to make it more acceptable
allusion works by allowing us to connect to the text
by referring to some sort of text that, hopefully, we
are familiar with. (next part of discussion starts
here…i.e. don’t need a new paragraph at this point)
Let’s Try This Out: Second Comparison
Next Discussion
Introduction using a
definition
Allusion involves using references to another text in
a work, could be a movie, T.V. show, book, poem etc.
For instance in one episode of the television show
“Criminal Minds” a character Michelle, when
Next provided an
responding to the way that another character
example
doesn’t want to have pictures taken at her
bachelorette party, asks her not to worry as her
A vague quote Peter “sort husband is with some other guys in Los Vegas and
of remembered” and
says something like “if they don’t wake up with a
others “sort of “ backed
tiger in the bathroom they feel that they’ve failed.”
him up on (not as strong
The scenario involving the tiger that is being
as a solid quote from your mentioned in this quote is a reference to the movie
notes)
“The Hangover.” Including this reference allows
Then explained how the
viewers, if they have seen this particular movie , to
example illustrates the
unravel the whole episode and its humour and then
idea of a euphemism (the include it in this T.V. show.
idea being addressed
here).
Let’s Try This Out: Second Comparison
Expanding and extending
explanation.
The reference becomes a short form that allows the
viewer to draw on their memory of this episode and
all that it suggests. Of course there is a downside
in that if the reader hasn’t seen “The Hangover”
they’re somewhat lost and confused about a tiger
reference that seems sort of erratic and random.
Last Parts Of Discussion
You’re on your own but you do know that you’ll have to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Provide a definition of the trope
Describe an example
Explain how this example requires of the reader to use
their history and imagination, and then how this helps the
text that it is included in
Move on to next part of your discussion (your conclusion).