Distinguish Literal, Figurative Meaning: Poetry - AP English Literature and Composition
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Identify whether the phrase "a heart of stone" should be read literally or figuratively.
Identify whether the phrase "a heart of stone" should be read literally or figuratively.
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Figuratively. Hearts aren't literally made of stone.
Figuratively. Hearts aren't literally made of stone.
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Identify whether "She ran $5$ miles" is literal or figurative.
Identify whether "She ran $5$ miles" is literal or figurative.
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Literal. Describes actual physical action.
Literal. Describes actual physical action.
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Which clue most strongly signals a figurative reading: contradiction, measurement, or timestamp?
Which clue most strongly signals a figurative reading: contradiction, measurement, or timestamp?
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Contradiction. Impossible scenarios indicate figurative language.
Contradiction. Impossible scenarios indicate figurative language.
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Identify the figurative device in "I have told you a million times."
Identify the figurative device in "I have told you a million times."
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Hyperbole. Extreme exaggeration for emphasis.
Hyperbole. Extreme exaggeration for emphasis.
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What is a metaphor’s literal referent called when interpreting figurative meaning?
What is a metaphor’s literal referent called when interpreting figurative meaning?
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The tenor (the thing being described). In "life is a journey," life is the tenor being described.
The tenor (the thing being described). In "life is a journey," life is the tenor being described.
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What is a metaphor’s image used for comparison called in interpretation?
What is a metaphor’s image used for comparison called in interpretation?
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The vehicle (the image used to describe). In "life is a journey," journey is the vehicle describing life.
The vehicle (the image used to describe). In "life is a journey," journey is the vehicle describing life.
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What is the best one-sentence method to separate literal from figurative meaning in a line?
What is the best one-sentence method to separate literal from figurative meaning in a line?
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Test plausibility literally, then check for trope-based meaning in context. First assess literal possibility, then identify devices.
Test plausibility literally, then check for trope-based meaning in context. First assess literal possibility, then identify devices.
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What is the definition of irony that often separates literal from intended meaning?
What is the definition of irony that often separates literal from intended meaning?
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A contrast between what is said and what is meant or what occurs. Creates meaning through contradiction.
A contrast between what is said and what is meant or what occurs. Creates meaning through contradiction.
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What is the definition of an idiom, and why is it not read literally?
What is the definition of an idiom, and why is it not read literally?
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A fixed phrase whose meaning differs from the words’ literal meanings. Cultural expressions with non-literal meanings.
A fixed phrase whose meaning differs from the words’ literal meanings. Cultural expressions with non-literal meanings.
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What is the definition of literal meaning in a poem?
What is the definition of literal meaning in a poem?
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The explicit, surface-level meaning of the words as stated. Refers to what words actually denote without interpretation.
The explicit, surface-level meaning of the words as stated. Refers to what words actually denote without interpretation.
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What is the definition of figurative meaning in a poem?
What is the definition of figurative meaning in a poem?
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An implied meaning created through figures of speech beyond the literal. Uses literary devices to convey deeper meanings.
An implied meaning created through figures of speech beyond the literal. Uses literary devices to convey deeper meanings.
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What is hyperbole, and how does it relate to figurative meaning?
What is hyperbole, and how does it relate to figurative meaning?
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Deliberate exaggeration not meant literally; it signals emphasis. Extreme overstatement for effect.
Deliberate exaggeration not meant literally; it signals emphasis. Extreme overstatement for effect.
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What is the definition of symbolism in poetry?
What is the definition of symbolism in poetry?
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A concrete image represents an abstract idea beyond its literal sense. Objects/images carry deeper meanings.
A concrete image represents an abstract idea beyond its literal sense. Objects/images carry deeper meanings.
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Which meaning is figurative in "She has a sharp tongue": the tongue or the speech?
Which meaning is figurative in "She has a sharp tongue": the tongue or the speech?
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The speech is figurative; "sharp" means harsh or biting language. Tongues aren't literally sharp objects.
The speech is figurative; "sharp" means harsh or biting language. Tongues aren't literally sharp objects.
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Identify whether "Time is a thief" is literal or figurative.
Identify whether "Time is a thief" is literal or figurative.
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Figurative. Time cannot literally steal things.
Figurative. Time cannot literally steal things.
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Identify whether the sentence "The kettle is on the stove" is literal or figurative.
Identify whether the sentence "The kettle is on the stove" is literal or figurative.
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Literal. Describes actual physical placement.
Literal. Describes actual physical placement.
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Identify the figurative device in "The wind whispered through the pines."
Identify the figurative device in "The wind whispered through the pines."
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Personification. Wind cannot literally whisper like humans.
Personification. Wind cannot literally whisper like humans.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "The glass fell and broke."
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "The glass fell and broke."
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Literal. Describes actual physical events without hidden meaning.
Literal. Describes actual physical events without hidden meaning.
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What is literal meaning in a literary text?
What is literal meaning in a literary text?
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The explicit, surface meaning of the words as stated. Refers to what words actually say without interpretation.
The explicit, surface meaning of the words as stated. Refers to what words actually say without interpretation.
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What is figurative meaning in a literary text?
What is figurative meaning in a literary text?
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A nonliteral meaning created through comparison, symbol, or connotation. Goes beyond literal to suggest deeper meanings.
A nonliteral meaning created through comparison, symbol, or connotation. Goes beyond literal to suggest deeper meanings.
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Which contextual cue most strongly indicates figurative meaning: physical possibility or impossibility?
Which contextual cue most strongly indicates figurative meaning: physical possibility or impossibility?
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Impossibility (or strong improbability) in the literal sense. If literally impossible, meaning must be figurative.
Impossibility (or strong improbability) in the literal sense. If literally impossible, meaning must be figurative.
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Identify the most accurate interpretation type for "the crown" meaning "the monarchy."
Identify the most accurate interpretation type for "the crown" meaning "the monarchy."
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Metonymy. Substitutes associated term (crown) for concept (monarchy).
Metonymy. Substitutes associated term (crown) for concept (monarchy).
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Identify whether the phrase is literal or figurative: "Time is a thief."
Identify whether the phrase is literal or figurative: "Time is a thief."
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Figurative. Time cannot literally steal; metaphor for time's passage.
Figurative. Time cannot literally steal; metaphor for time's passage.
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Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" meaning "died."
Identify whether the meaning is literal or figurative: "He kicked the bucket" meaning "died."
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Figurative. "Kicked the bucket" doesn't literally mean kicking a bucket.
Figurative. "Kicked the bucket" doesn't literally mean kicking a bucket.
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What is an idiom, in terms of literal versus figurative meaning?
What is an idiom, in terms of literal versus figurative meaning?
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A fixed phrase whose meaning is figurative, not literal. Common expressions where meaning differs from individual words.
A fixed phrase whose meaning is figurative, not literal. Common expressions where meaning differs from individual words.
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Identify the figurative device: "I have told you a million times."
Identify the figurative device: "I have told you a million times."
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Hyperbole. Extreme exaggeration for emphasis, not meant literally.
Hyperbole. Extreme exaggeration for emphasis, not meant literally.
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Identify the figurative device: "The wind whispered through the trees."
Identify the figurative device: "The wind whispered through the trees."
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Personification. Gives human qualities (whispered) to non-human things (wind).
Personification. Gives human qualities (whispered) to non-human things (wind).
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Identify the figurative device: "He fought like a lion."
Identify the figurative device: "He fought like a lion."
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Simile. Uses "like" or "as" to make comparison explicit.
Simile. Uses "like" or "as" to make comparison explicit.
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Identify the figurative device: "Her smile was sunshine."
Identify the figurative device: "Her smile was sunshine."
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Metaphor. Direct comparison without "like" or "as" (smile = sunshine).
Metaphor. Direct comparison without "like" or "as" (smile = sunshine).
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What is the key distinction between denotation and connotation?
What is the key distinction between denotation and connotation?
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Denotation is dictionary meaning; connotation is implied association or emotion. Denotation is objective; connotation is subjective.
Denotation is dictionary meaning; connotation is implied association or emotion. Denotation is objective; connotation is subjective.
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