Webquest ~ The Undiscovered Country
“Unconfusing” Four Common Literary Devices
Introduction:
Studying literature is about “getting the jokes.” This was Dr. Stephen Whited’s sage advice in my introductory freshman college class. Yes. It’s nice to be able to laugh at other’s punch lines when they quote some line from Shakespeare. But studying literature is about more than being able to laugh at clever—or lame—jokes. Serious musicians study literary devices—it is the key to their art; writer’s craft meaning with them; and advertisers learn their power. For instance, a very popular fence company is currently advertising with the catchphrase: “Good fences make good neighbors.” A Google search will show that a metaphor underlies this phrase and is used contrary to the original author’s (Robert Frost)intention.
Ever wanted to express an idea but didn’t have the words? Are you tired of confusing metaphors and similes, and mangling metonymy with synecdoche—whatever those are?
Then, climb aboard and set sail on a webquest. We will follow the course of those who have gone before us; We stalk the dragons of fear and flush them out their strongholds; We will enter the undiscovered country—the land of hidden knowledge—and see the hidden meaning lurking just beneath the writer’s craft.
Upon returning from your quest, you will understand the different usages of several, often confusing, literary devices. You will understand how they add meaning to the text. And you will learn how to select and use each literary device in your own writing. These are some of the basic tools that good writers use to build bridges, span the gulf of ignorance, and cross over to new ideas.
Process:
You may choose this webquest as a lone wolf quest, or if you have a full ship's compliment, follow the lesson plan for a group quest.
Divide the class into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Then, further divide these two groups into groups a and b for a total of four groups. Each group must visit all the links listed under their section.
Be careful to take careful notes and keep your work organized as you complete each threshold in the quest.
When you have completed all your
tasks, then take the quiz at bottom. And enjoy your further adventures in
understanding 
literature.
Texts: Macbeth
Romeo and
Juliet
Julius Caesar
Groups 1a and 1b will research simile and metaphor.
Groups 2a and 2b will research synecdoche and metonymy.
Ports of Call:
Port 1. What is a [literary device]? Search the Net for the devices you are assigned (Note: literary device and terms, and rhetorical device are synonyms). What are these devices designed to do?
Resources:
http://www.sil.org/~radneyr/humanities//litcrit/gloss.htm
Dictionary of common literary terms.
http://www.virtualsalt.com/rhetoric.htm
Handbook of rhetorical devices.
http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/terms/
Literary terms.
http://www.bardweb.net/grammar/02rhetoric.html
Literary terms used by Shakespeare.
Port 2. Under your group heading, CHOOSE TWO of the following texts and transcribe the corresponding text that contains one of the assigned [literary device]. Using your own words, write a brief summary of how the [literary device] is constructed (Hint: Consider the construction of the sentence).
Resources: (There is at least one literary device in each text that is on your list).
Group 1: metaphor and simile
(Look for “like,” “as,” or some form of “to be,”)
http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.2.2.html
http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.3.1.html
http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/macbeth/macbeth.5.5.html
http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/macbeth/macbeth.5.3.html
Group 2: synecdoche and metonymy
http://the-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/macbeth/macbeth.5.1.html
What
verb (infinitive) should one look for to identify most metaphors?
2) What are the two “clue words” to look for in a simile?
3) What literary device substitutes a noun for another noun?
4) What literary device uses a part to stand for the whole?
5) What literary device gives a noun another identity?
Part B:
Make two columns side-by-side. Randomly write four nouns in each column for a total of eight nouns. Then, write a sentence with each row of two nouns, using a different literary device for each sentence. [State which one: simile, metaphor, synecdoche, and metonymy. For example, Susan is the flower of my hope ~ simile.]
Conclusions: Welcome to the other side. You have reached the undiscovered country! You, like Odysseus, have sailed through rough seas with confusing winds. You have sailed through the Siren sounds and negotiated the perils of Scylla and Carybdis. The fleur-de-lis, the compass pointer, has ever guided your path. And you have discovered that there is more undiscovered country. Seek out that country and boldly go wherever your vessel may lead you among the high, adventurous seas of literature.
Ready for more discovery?
Do a Google search using the terms: “like” or “as” or any of the terms you studied, today. You may even want to revisit the resource web sites and explore other literary devices. One day, you may learn to get all the jokes.
WebQuest Creator
Scott Davis Mail Me!