Blogger #2 - Eric Chen - Period 9 - 2/22/2021 - Day C

 Blogger #2, Eric Chen, Period 9, 2/22/2021, Day C

  Aim: How can an exploration of writers’ choices, and the literary devices used, introduce us to the concept of “voice” as it’s used in writing? 

Do Now: Describe all that comes to mind when you think of pizza? Write a paragraph describing pizza and showing your attitude toward it.  

The class had a general liking towards pizza and they also described pizza as an answer to this question.  There was also a classmate which analyzed this question very deeply and gave a very complex answer.  They told us what  a basic pizza must have.  I personally answered that a pizza must have a crust on the bottom, tomato sauce on top of the crust, and finally cheese on the top.  There can also be toppings on top of the cheese if wanted.  My attitude towards it was that it should be a once-in-a-while treat because pizza is unhealthy and too much of it can lead to health problems.

Elements of speech: 

• Diction: A speaker’s (or author’s) word choice. This term may also refer to the general type or character of language used in speech or in a work of literature. Diction is typically divided into two components: vocabulary and syntax. By vocabulary, we mean the degree of difficulty, complexity, abstractness, formality as well as the origin of words chosen (native or foreign, Latinate or Germanic, and so forth).

• Syntax: Refers to the arrangement – the ordering, grouping and placement of words within a sentence. The meaning of this term can also extend to encompass such things as the degree of complexity or fragmentation within these arrangements. Syntax is a component of grammar but not a synonym for grammar. For example, the sentences, “I rode across the meadow” and “Across the meadow I rode” exhibit different syntax but identical vocabulary. To replace “meadow” with “sea of grass” is to alter the vocabulary but not the syntax. To say “Rode I across the sea of grass” is to use diction different from “I rode across the meadow”. The combination of unusual syntax and vocabulary in the first sentence as opposed to the second is a feature that often differentiates poetic diction from that of prose.

• Imagery: A term used to refer to: 1) the actual language that a writer uses to convey a visual picture or representation of a sensory experience; and 2) the use of figures of speech, often to express abstract ideas in a vivid and innovative way. Imagery of this second type makes use of such devices as simile, personification, and metonymy, among others. Imagery is a central component of almost all imaginative literature and is often said to be the chief element in poetry. Two major types of imagery exist – the literal and the figurative. Literal imagery is purely descriptive while figurative may call to mind real things that can be perceived by the senses, but it does so as a way of describing something else- often some abstract idea that cannot be literally or directly described. Whether literal or figurative, however, imagery is generally intended to make whatever the author is describing concrete in the reader’s mind, to give it some tangible or real existence rather than a purely intellectual one. Imagery also provides the reader with a sense of vividness and immediacy. It helps the reader experience with all of their 5 senses.

• Tone: The attitude of the author toward the reader or the subject matter of a literary work. An author’s tone may be serious, playful, mocking, angry, commanding, apologetic and so forth.

Class Discussion:

We had to analyze and make inferences about the piece of text and the speaker.  We had to find the diction, syntax, imagery, and the tone of the text. We also had to make inferences on the speaker.

As a class, we found that: Speaker 1 is most likely not young based on the vocabulary.  The speaker probably has previous experience with this topic because the wording is like of a food critic.  The language is formal and has no slang.  The sentences are complex and long.  There is alliteration in the paragraph. We see the imagery because the paragraph is tapping into our 5 senses. There are phrases like, “aromatic essence of fresh basil, oregano, and garlic”and “your taste buds awaken and celebrate”. The speaker’s attitude shows that they like pizza and thoroughly enjoy it.

Teamwork:

We had to collaboratively work with our group members to analyze and make inferences about the text and the speaker.  

• Speaker 2:

It’s yummy. I like it when the cheese is really gooey. My mom makes it for dinner on the weekends. When it’s too hot, I have to wait for it to cool. Mom says if I don’t wait I will burn my tongue. I like the way pizza smells. When I smell pizza cooking it always makes me want to eat it right up!

• Inferences about the speaker: The speaker is most likely a child because the vocabulary is very basic.

• Diction:  The word choices in this text are informal.  He uses words and phrases like: “Mom” and “makes me want to eat it right up!”

• Syntax: The sentences are short and simple.  There are sentences like: “It’s yummy.”

• Imagery:  It appeals to our sense of  smell and sight.  Some phrases are, “cheese is really gooey” and “ I like the way pizza smells.”

• Tone: The speaker enjoys pizza.  He says sentences like, “It’s yummy.” and “When I smell pizza cooking it always makes me want to eat it right up!”

• Speaker 3: 

As long as not one speck of gross disgusting animal flesh comes anywhere near my pizza, I can eat it. I prefer pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach. Goat cheese is especially nice too. A thin whole-wheat crust topped with imported cheese and organic vegetables makes a satisfying meal.

• Inferences about the speaker: The speaker is older and more educated than Speaker 2 because this speaker uses more advanced vocabulary.   The speaker is also a vegetarian.

• Diction: This text is semi-informal because it uses words like disgusting and it also sounds like a conversation between two people.

• Syntax: The steneces are both short and long. 

• Imagery: It only appeals to our vision.  There are phrases like, “I prefer pizza with mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach.” and “ A thin whole-wheat crust topped with imported cheese and organic vegetables”.

• Tone:  The speaker is ok with pizza as long as there is no meat on it.  The speaker in the beginning of the paragraph says that animal flesh is disgusting.

• Speaker 4: 

Pizza is, like, one of the basic food groups, right? I mean, dude, who doesn’t eat pizza? Me and my friends order it like every day. We usually get pepperoni, and it’s great when they are, like, covering the whole top! Dude, hot steamy pizza dripping with cheese and loaded with pepperoni is awesome.

• Inferences about the speaker: The speaker is a teenager based on the language and slang that is used.

• Diction: The text is very informal and there is lots of slang that is being used.  

• Syntax: The sentences are mostly short and they have no relation to each other. Speaker 4 says that pizza is one of the basic food groups and then makes a statement that everyone eats pizza.

• Imagery: The text also appeals to our sight.  There are phrases like, “hot steamy pizza dripping with cheese and loaded with pepperoni” that gives us an image of what the speaker is describing.

• Tone: The speaker definitely enjoys pizza especially when there is a lot of cheese and pepperoni. 

Reflection:

When doing this lesson, I learned about diction, syntax, tone, and imagery.  I also learned that imagery isn’t just making an image in your head about what is being described. Rather, it is about something that appeals to the five senses.  I also learned how to use diction, syntax, tone, and imagery to make a description of the speaker that made the text.  I learned this so I can analyze texts and the speaker and have a better understanding of what I am reading.  I will use the four things I learned to better understand characters and understand the text more in depth.