高级英语修辞手法

1、Advanced English (1)陈 倩For Sept.12, 2014:n1. course explain & course requirementn2. paraphrasen3. figures of speechFor this course, you are supposed to:nlearn new words and expressions;nlearn to analyse grammatically complicated sentences;nlearn to identify different figures of speech;nlearn to para

2、phrase;nlearn to summarize;nlearn to query.Class management:n6-8 periods of class are alloted to each unit;nFor every two or four periods, there will be assignment for you; throughout the semester each student will be named at least twice to present his/her preparation for the assignment on stage. A

3、nd his/her performance will be assessed and counted into the final score.Assignment can be:nexercises (review check)ntext recitationnwords and expressions dictationnpresentation of your homework (over a topic, a question, etc.)ParaphrasenWhat is a “paraphrase”?n“the re-expression of sth written or s

4、aid in different words, esp. words that are easier to understand” Longmans Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishIt would therefore be inadvisable to:nstick to the original structure and change only a word or two;nkeep the implied meaning under surface;nremain a figure of speech in the paraphrase;nmake

5、the paraphrase even more obscure than the original.How do we paraphrase?Now take a look at:nThe original passage:nStudents frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final research paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript shoul

6、d appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes.Version 1:nStudents often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probabl

7、y only 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted mateiral. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes.Version 2: nIn research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem u

8、sually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded word by word.Figures of speechWords are either literal or figurativenLiteral 原意nWords used in their original meanings are used literally. nFigurative 比喻义nWords used in extended meanings for the purpose of making

9、comparisons or calling up pictures in the readers or listeners mind are used figuratively. colourfulnIn “a colourful garden” nin “a colourful life” or “a colourful career”The most common figures of speechnSimile 直喻nMetaphor 暗喻Whats the difference?n“He ran quickly down the street.”n“He ran like a har

10、e down the street.” n“He hared down the street.”SimilenSimile is a figure of speech in which two quite different things are compared as they seem similar in a way. nThis kind of comparison is normally introduced by “like” or “as”. Summarize it:nA way of describing something by comparing it with sth

11、else using “as” or “like”E.g. He looks very much like his brother. He runs like a rabbit. MetaphornA figure of speech which consists in substituting for the name of a thing the name of an attribute（ 属性）of it or of something closely related.nThe term is often loosely defined as “an implied comparison

12、”, “a simile without like or as”. nE.g. Life is a yo-yo. Its a series of ups and downs. The town was stormed after a long siege.PersonificationnThis involves turning an object either inanimate（无生命的）or natural into a human or animal form, with human or animal actions and feelings. Metonymy借代nThe subs

13、titution of a noun for another closely associated noun. nThe substituted noun derives（获得 ） its meaning in the context it is used by the association produced in the readers mind. Example of metonymynIn contemporary English when we speak of a statement from the “White House” we understand that this is

14、 not talking about the building, but an official communication with the authority of the President of the United States who lives in the White House. nThe pen is mightier（强而有力的） than the sword.nGray hairs should be respected.Synecdoche（提喻提喻 ： 是不直接说某一事物的名称，而是借事物的本身所呈现的各种对应的现象来表现该事物的这样一种修辞手段。)nA figur

15、e by which a more comprehensive term is used for a less comprehensive or vice vers; as whole for part or part for whole, genus（类，种；属） for species or species for genus, etc.nNote: Synecdoche can easily be mistaken for metonymy.Example of synedochenIf I had some wheels, Id put on my best threads and a

16、sk for Janes hand in marriage. nThe army included two hundred horse and three hundred foot. nIt is sure hard to earn a dollar these days. Comparison between synecdoche & metonymy:nYou cant fight city hall. nThis land belongs to the crown. nIn the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread . . . . -Genes

17、is 3:19 Summary:nMetonymy is another form of metaphor, very similar to synecdoche (and, in fact, some rhetoricians do not distinguish between the two), in which the thing chosen for the metaphorical image is closely associated with (but not an actual part of) the subject with which it is to be compa

18、red.Hyperbole夸张nHyperbole is a figure of speech which contains a deliberate exaggerationnthis is when writers go over the top with their use of language, suggesting that something is the strongest, the best, the greatest, which of course distorts the truth. Understatement含蓄陈述(Litotes)nThe opposite o

19、f hyperbolenStating an idea in words that are less strong than anticipated. nto make something appear smaller or less important than it really is.n it gains its particular effect by phrasing in the negative what it wishes to say positively.nE.g. This is not at all unpleasant.Euphemism委婉语nWords or ph

20、rases that substitute an agreeable or inoffensive term for a more direct one that might embarrass or suggest something unpleasant nProfane(非宗教的;世俗的;亵渎) words and expressions are generally taken from the following areas: religion, toilets, sex, and death, etc. nE.g. Pass away; remains; visiting the n

21、ecessaryIronynStating one thing while meaning the exact opposite. nor the person could be trying to be rude, even though the words used are seemingly polite etc.Example of ironynYour friend turns up in ripped（撕裂的） jeans. With a smirk（傻笑；假笑）, you say, I see you have put on your best clothes!SarcasmnS

22、arcasm is a form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule. nIt is a strong form of irony. It attacks in a taunting(奚落) and bitter manner, and its aim is to disparage, ridicule and wound the feelings of the subject atta

23、cked. Example of sarcasmnLaws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps（黄蜂） break through. nId insult you, but youre not bright enough to notice. Antithesis（对比;对句）nA direct contrast in which two sets of figures are set in opposition to one another. In true antithesis the oppositio

24、n between the elements is manifested through parallel gramatical structure.nE.g. To err is human, to forgive divine.nA friend exaggerates a mans virtues, an enemy his crimes.nGood breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person. (Mark Twain)

25、Parallelism（排比）nParallelism refers to the figure of speech that expresses relevant ideas in the same or similar grammatical structures. nIt helps make a sentence brief, smooth and coherent and give it rhythm, balance and force. Example of parallelismnTo have and to hold from this day forward, nfor b

26、etter for worse, nfor richer for poorer, nin sickness and in health, nto love and to cherish, ntill death do us part.Oxymoron（矛盾修辞法）nAncient Greek : Oxus = sharp Moros = dull nOxymoron = a sharp dullness or a foolish wise. n.a self contradicting phrase. oxymoronnA paradoxical expression, in its supe

27、rficial or literal meaning self-contradictory or absurd, but involving a point. Example of oxymoronnHalf nakednFinal draftnAlmost perfectnOpen secretnWorking holidaynMinor crisisnAct naturallynOnly choicePun(双关语；俏皮话)nA play on wordsnthe humorous use of a word, or of words which are formed or sounded

28、 alike but have different meanings, in such a way as to play on two or more of the possible applications; a play on words. nE.g. What do lawyers do when they die? Lie still.I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.ParadoxnA statement that appears to be logically contradictory a

29、nd yet may be true, the purpose of which is to provoke fresh thought.Examples of paradox:nChild is the father of man.nThe swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot. nSome day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.nWar is peace.“ Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. (George Or

30、well, 1984) Rhetorical QuestionnA question neither requiring nor intended to produce a reply but asked for emphasis. The assumption is that only one answer is possible.E.g. If winter comes, can Spring be far behind?ClimaxnArrangement of phrases or sentences in ascending order of importance.nE.g. Som

31、e books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.Anti-climaxnThe sudden appearance of an absurd or trivial idea following one or more significant or elevated (serious) ideas. It is always comic in effect.nE.g. The duties of a soldier are to protect his country and peel potatoes.Transferred epithet:nThe transference of an adjective to a noun to which it is not wholly appropriate.n用来修饰人的分词有时可以转移到用来修饰人的分词有时可以转移到修饰非人的事物上，这种分词在形修饰非人的事物上，这种分词在形式上虽然不直接修饰人，但所修饰