Adjective/Descriptive Phrase Word/Phrases: Adjective/Descriptive Phrase

EX: From “The Damned Human He is undermining how kids Uses sarcastic language to show
Race” should be careful when they lie so how parents think they know
they won’t get caught. more better than you.

Sarcastic language

Words/Phrases: Words/Phrases: Words/Phrases:

Entertainment Careful, nearly Know, think, you

Charming sport

Effect: Effect: Effect:

Exposes the cold and wasteful Explains to the kids how to lie, Exposes how parents think they
violence of the earl towards undermines what they should do know better through sarcastic
animals when these descriptions to go around the parents. language and descriptive words or
are followed by the earl’s actions. phrases.

Discussion Questions:
1) How does Twain’s sentence structure help to undercut or undermine previous statements?
Twain introduced an idea, then placing a coma, and undermining it after by stating the
opposite.
2) What other strategies does Twain employ for his purpose? What is his purpose?
The strategy used in this passage is sarcastic language. He uses sarcasm to expose the
arrogance and issues that children have with authority figures.

3) Examine word choice (diction) and/or language. In the chart below, list words and
phrases with similar connotation and write an adjective or descriptive phrase to
categorize these words.