Modifiers, Irony, and Dashes in Writing

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which sentence demonstrates a misplaced modifier?

She almost finished the entire pizza by herself. (correct)

Running quickly, the dog chased the ball.

The car, which was old and rusty, barely moved.

Baking cookies, the kitchen filled with a warm aroma.

Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier:

After finishing the race, he felt relieved.

Driving down the road, the scenery was beautiful. (correct)

Having studied hard, she passed her test.

She saw a bird, which was sitting on the tree.

What distinguishes a dangling modifier from a misplaced modifier?

Dangling modifiers involve nouns; misplaced modifiers involve verbs.

Misplaced modifiers have incorrect placement; dangling modifiers lack a subject performing the action. (correct)

Misplaced modifiers are always phrases; dangling modifiers are always single words.

There is no difference, they both use modifiers wrongly.

Which situation best exemplifies situational irony?

A fire station burning down. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of situational irony, how did the character of Sasha's actions contradict most people's perception of him?

He was expected to show some good but chose to be a criminal instead. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences correctly uses dashes to add additional information?

Her two favourite colors - blue and gold - compliment her dress. Signup and view all the answers

How are dashes used to create dramatic effects in writing?

To pause the sentence and create an element of surprise or suspense. Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does a dash serve in dialogue?

To show an interruption or abrupt stop in conversation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth suggest about Macbeth's line of thinking regarding the Thane of Cawdor title?

It shows a lack of ambition and is cowardly, like a cat afraid of water. Signup and view all the answers

How do King Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, react immediately after their father's murder?

They flee the castle in fear for their own safety. Signup and view all the answers

What is Banquo's initial reaction to Duncan's murder?

He is suspicious of Macbeth but hides his doubts. Signup and view all the answers

What unusual events in nature occur after King Duncan's murder?

An earthquake, strange voices, and the king's horses eating each other. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth do in Act Three to secure his power?

He hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Macbeth at the feast after the murder of Banquo?

He is visited by Banquo's ghost, causing him to act strangely. Signup and view all the answers

What three new prophecies do the witches give Macbeth in Act Four?

Beware Macduff, no man born of woman shall harm him, and he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Macbeth order the murder of Macduff’s family?

To eliminate any threat and move Macduff away from the battlefield. Signup and view all the answers

How had Lady Macbeth changed by Act Five?

She has become mentally unstable and plagued by guilt. Signup and view all the answers

How does the prophecy "Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill" come true?

Malcolm's army disguises themselves with branches from Birnam Wood. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using shifts in point of view in a story?

To immerse the reader and show multiple emotional perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a characteristic of a summary of a text?

It maintains the original meaning while usually being shorter than the original text. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a run-in quote and a block quote?

Run-in quotes are short and embedded within a sentence, while block quotes are long and presented as a separate paragraph. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the purpose of peppered-in quotes?

They are short quotes placed in between your writing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a claim in an academic text?

To make an arguable statement that is supported by evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'denotation' refer to?

The literal meaning of a word or phrase. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates a positive connotation?

The word 'splendid' brings a sense of beauty and admiration. Signup and view all the answers

Which group of letters represents a plosive type of sound in onomatopoeia?

<code>b, k, c, t, d</code> Signup and view all the answers

How do metaphors and conceits differ?

Metaphors are direct comparisons, while conceits are extended and elaborate comparisons. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does Maya Angelou describe the relationship between actions and consequences in 'At Harvest Time'?

She suggests that although all actions have consequences that are not always apparent, positive actions bring positive results while negative actions bring negative results. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central conflict in Chekhov's 'A Problem'?

A family debate on whether to punish their son for his dishonesty. Signup and view all the answers

According to 'A Problem', what unintended effect can arise from helping someone too much?

It can hinder growth and responsibility which makes them engage in more inappropriate actions. Signup and view all the answers

In the story 'A Problem', what does Sasha's request for more money after his family pays his debt reveal about his character?

He lacks remorse and has not learned from his mistakes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options is an example of second person pronouns?

You, Your, Yours, Yourself, You're Signup and view all the answers

What effect does a Fricative sound creates?

A long and smooth sound Signup and view all the answers

In 'I Have No Address,' what does the poet use to symbolize the universality of peace?

A sparrow with a white heart and a thousand tongues Signup and view all the answers

According to 'I Have No Address', how is peace's impermanent nature portrayed?

By suggesting it moves from east to west with the air. Signup and view all the answers

In ‘Under This Sky,’ what is the primary literary device used to connect the speaker's experiences?

Juxtaposition Signup and view all the answers

In 'Under This Sky,' what does the speaker associate with Dhaka that contrasts with New York?

The welcoming of new crops with homemade sweets. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'hand-sewn quilt' in 'Under this Sky'?

It signifies love, care, and familial bonds. Signup and view all the answers

In 'High Explosives to Everyone,' what does the use of dark humor primarily convey?

The citizens' indifference to the war. Signup and view all the answers

How does the normalcy of the concierge's comment, 'The bombing in November was worse,' contribute to the story’s tone in 'High Explosives to Everyone'?

It demonstrates the coping mechanisms developed due to war exposure. Signup and view all the answers

In 'High Explosives to Everyone,' what is the effect of the writer’s use of sarcasm?

To understate the tragedy of war, creating confusion for the reader. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'diction' in the context of analyzing tone?

The choice of words used. Signup and view all the answers

In Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth, what is the main theme associated with Lady Macbeth's dialogue?

Gender stereotypes and expectations. Signup and view all the answers

In Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth, what does Macbeth consider as a consequence of killing Duncan?

That he will face public sadness and condemnation. Signup and view all the answers

In Act 1 Scene 7, how does Lady Macbeth portray Macbeth’s hesitation to commit murder?

By referring to him as cowardly and fearful. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth mean when he says 'bloody instructions' shall 'plague the inventor' in Act 1 Scene 7?

The consequences of evil deeds will return to haunt those who commit them. Signup and view all the answers

According to Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 7, how does the public view King Duncan?

As a virtuous and honored king. Signup and view all the answers

In Act 1 Scene 7 of Macbeth, what does the conflict Macbeth experiences mainly revolve around?

The conflict between moral integrity and ambition. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Modifiers

Modifiers describe nouns.
Two types: misplaced and dangling.
Misplaced modifiers: Incorrect placement, sentence doesn't make sense. Example: "She almost drove her kids to school every day" (meaning she did it almost daily, not nearly). Correction: "She drove her kids almost every day to school."
Dangling modifiers: Missing subject, incomplete. Example: "Smiling with relief, It arrived just before the deadline." Correction: "Smiling with relief, I delivered my report to the school newspaper. It arrived just before the deadline."
Difference: Misplaced = wrong placement of modifier; Dangling = missing subject doing the action.

Irony

Focus on Situational Irony: The opposite of what's expected happens.
Example in "A Problem": Sasha's unexpected criminal behavior, despite expectations of him being a good person.

Dashes

Informal way of using brackets or commas.
Three main functions:
- Additional information: Example: "The two brothers—John and Andy—helped clean the beach." (Adds extra details)
- Interrupting an action: Example: "Did you find the keys for—never mind I found them."
- Adding emphasis: Example: "I knew the lesson perfectly—until test day."

Shifts in Point of View

Show distinct changes between first and second person to put the reader in the writer/character's shoes.
First Person Pronouns: I, me, my, mine
Second Person Pronouns: you, your, yours, yourself, you're

Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Paraphrasing: Rewriting in own words, maintaining original meaning.
Summarizing: Condensing main ideas into a shorter form.

Quotes

Embedding Quotes: Place quotes within your writing, need to be relevant and supported. Include in-text citations.
Run-in Quotes: Short quotes within a sentence; more than one word but less than five lines. Example: "The world shall be green once more" (23).
Peppered-in Quotes: Short, single-word or phrase quotes throughout a passage. Example: "He felt ‘empty,’ and his emotions started to ‘degrade’ (Adam 23)."
Block Quotes: Paragraph-sized quotations, introduced in your own words first.

Claims

Opinion backed by evidence and reasoning.
Example: "Year-long school is a bad idea." Needs supporting evidence and justification.

Connotations/Denotations

Connotations: Feelings associated with a word.
Denotations: Exact meaning of a word.
Three Types: Positive, Negative, Neutral.

Onomatopoeia

Plosive: Short, explosive sounds (b, k, c, t, d). Examples: boom, bang, crash.
Fricative: Long, continuous sounds (f, th, ph, w). Examples: fizz, whisper, whoosh.
Sibilant: Long, hissing sounds (s, z). Examples: hiss, splash, sizzle

Metaphors and Conceits

Metaphors: Direct comparison of unrelated things.
Conceits: Extended metaphor elaborated.
Abstract: Imagery representing an idea.
Concrete: Physical object compared.

Section 2 - Skills/Stories/Poems/Articles/Plays

Unit 1 - Academic Integrity

At Harvest Time (Angelou): Focuses on the principle that actions have consequences – good actions don't always lead to good consequences, but positivity & trust are essential.

Unit 2 - The Human Condition

A Problem (Chekhov): Deals with family, responsibility, and choices. Sasha’s impulsive actions lead to trouble for his family and show that over-helping can sometimes cause unnecessary problems.

Unit 3 - War and Peace

I Have No Address: Peace is universal, lingers in dreams, and is constantly moving, and if found, it brings a garden blooming in the night.
Under this Sky: Compares life in Dhaka with NYC using juxtaposition; highlights how different cultures experience life under the same sky.
High Explosives to Everyone: Describes normalization of war through dark humor, sarcasm, and understatement, contrasting the reality of war with a more casual tone. Tone is used as a coping mechanism.

Unit 4 - Macbeth

Macbeth (Act 1 Scene 7): Themes of gender stereotypes, karma and consequences, cowardice and fear; Macbeth is conflicted about killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's masculinity. He worries about public reaction and the judgment of his actions.
Macbeth (Act 2): Duncan's sons flee, Banquo suspicious, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth cover up the murder, and eerie events in nature highlight the unnatural act.
Macbeth (Act 3): Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance, and becomes paranoid and suffers a breakdown, Macbeth's ghost appears.
Macbeth (Act 4): Macbeth seeks further prophecies from the witches; they lead him to commit acts of violence—killing Macduff's family. Macduff flees to England, joining Malcolm to overthrow Macbeth.
Macbeth (Act 5): Lady Macbeth's descent into madness; the prophecies come true as Malcolm's army uses disguises and Macbeth is killed. Macbeth's final condition of fatalism and despair.

Macbeth Viewing Guide: Themes and Ideas

Essay Themes: karma, violence and masculinity, ambition, Lady Macbeth, bravery, cowardice, honor in Macbeth's rule, etc.
Key Prophecies: Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth King, Banquo's children kings, and those after killing the king.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers key writing concepts including modifiers, irony, and the use of dashes. Learn about misplaced and dangling modifiers, how situational irony can change narratives, and the informal application of dashes. Improve your writing skills by understanding these fundamental principles.