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August 21, 2001
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
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Writers can use figurative language to enhance prose or fiction writing. Some forms of business writing (advertising or sales, for example) may reflect a prosaic style occasionally which can benefit from figurative language. While most writers are familiar with metaphors and similes, in this issue we will look at less common forms of figurative language.
ALLITERATION means a writer uses several words beginning with the same consonant sound in the same sentence.
EXAMPLE: The briny and brackish pool provided a breeding ground for mosquitos. [alliteration = briny, brackish, breeding]
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An ALLUSION is a reference to or hint of a widely understood idea or fact. The usual allusions point to Bible stories, classical literature, or historical events.
EXAMPLE: Crystal's teacher claims that Noah's flood did not really occur. [Most readers would understand that Noah's flood is a Biblical teaching from the Judeo-Christian scriptures.]
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FORESHADOWING or PROLEPSIS provides a symbolic warning of possible future events.
EXAMPLE: The black dog that lingered outside Molly's door drew her thoughts to Ken's illness.
[The black dog may symbolize the severity of the illness or even Ken's impending death.]
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PERSONIFICATION means giving animate or living qualities to non-living things.
EXAMPLE: The sun smiled broadly that morning, as though overjoyed by the child's safe birth. [The sun is described as smiling, an animate quality.]
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A SYNECDOCHE allows part of something to represent the whole.
EXAMPLE: Simon married "Legs," the girl with the great walk.
[The girl's nickname refers to her movements which may characterize her style.]
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Use these techniques to brighten your writing style. But use them sparingly, if at all, in professional or regular business writing (letters, reports, etc.).
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CHECK OUT OUR "SEARCHABLE" INDEX
Subscribers to GrammarCheck can now search past issues of GrammarCheck for topics of interest at the following web site address:
http://www.grammarcheck.com/archives
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
Check pronoun usage to punctuate each one correctly. In the pairs below, decide which word reflects the correct usage and/or spelling. [Correct choices appear in brackets following each statement.]
1. The Wilsons let me borrow they're/their/there new car. [their]
2. We're/Were going to throw a party next week. [We're]
3. Isn't the green dictionary his/his'n? [his]
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WORD OF THE WEEK:
TAUT (tot) adjective: Pulled or drawn tight; not slack. Strained. Neat, tidy.
Rennie keeps a taut office.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: In your last issue you indicated that independent clauses in a compound sentence should be separated by coordinating conjunctions (and, or, so, yet, but, for). But you also need a comma before the conjunction.
GRAMMARCHECK: Several handbooks suggest the comma is especially important between longer or more complex clauses. But others point out that a comma is unneeded between two short independent clauses that already are joined by coordinate conjunctions. Here is our example from last time:
I drove to the store and then I came home.
In our opinion, linked clauses of 5 and 4 words (like the above example) do not require a comma to assist "and" as the coordinating conjunction. We recommend that writers make their own decisions about what constitutes a "short" independent clause within a compound sentence.
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QUESTION: Depending on the English teacher, we have different feelings about split phrases and infinitives. As a managing editor, I tend not to mind split verb phrases, while one of my editors hates them and always gripes about them. I don't think there's a specific rule and I think they can make a sentence read more easily and sound more interesting. I use my ear a lot when editing, so if it sounds OK, I'll use it:
I have already heard this song.
vs.
I already have heard this song.
Both sound OK to me. Is there an actual rule on this?
GRAMMARCHECK: Many grammar texts recommend NOT splitting the infinitive. However, they likewise admit that occasionally splitting the infinitive allows for a more natural construction in certain statements. Consider your audience when making the decision to split or not to split.
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QUESTION: Can you recommend other Web sites for grammar help?
GRAMMARCHECK: Many great grammar sites can be found on the Web. One that we like to recommend is at Purdue University.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu
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QUESTION: Our local newspaper had this sentence:
Joining Jim is his parents, Joe and Jane Doe.
Is this correct? Since the word "parents" is plural, I am under the assumption that the verb "are" is to be used. Have things changed that much? I am almost 60!
GRAMMARCHECK: You've got this one right! "Parents" is a plural noun, so it should take a plural verb. Your newspaper should have reported the story thus:
Joining Jim are his parents, Joe and Jane Doe.
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QUESTION: Please explain the difference between using "its" as in belonging to, and "it's" as possessive with the apostrophe.
GRAMMARCHECK: Use "its" without an apostrophe to show possession of a neutral noun:
The dog licked its paw.
The baby fell on its bottom.
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Use "it's" with the apostrophe only as a contraction for "it is" as follows:
It's a beautiful day!
It looks like it's going to be a long winter.
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