“Brer Possum’s Dilemma”
by Jackie Torrence
page 958-961
JARGON, DIALECT,
AND SLANG
Presentation created by Kevin Kloth,
Savannah Middle School
Savannah, MO
http://betterlesson.com/document/117839/jargon-dialect-and-slang-notes?from=search
Modified by M. Singleton
Overview

Figurative language refers to words or
phrases that add extra meaning or emotion
to what we say or write.

Figurative language uses words in other
ways than their literal sense

Figurative language can be used to suggest
a picture (image), create a sensory reaction,
or create other special effects like rhythm.
Examples of Figurative Language
Think of some of the figurative language
you already know.
How
do similes and metaphors add
meaning or emotion to a story?
How about personification?
Alliteration?
Imagery?
Examples of Figurative Language

How do similes and metaphors add meaning or emotion
to a story?
 a creative way to express emotion
 change the mood (lighten or darken)
 reveal the attitude of the character
 create an instant word picture
 reveal age, locale, or character traits
 reveal how a character thinks or feels
Example: “I’m very happy.” vs. “I’m as happy as a flea at a dog show.”
Examples of Figurative Language
How does personification add meaning or emotion to a
story?
 a creative way to express emotion.
 develop the tone or mood
 reveal the attitude of the character
 reveal how a character thinks or
feels
Example: “The pop machine ate my dollar.” “The copier hates me.”
Examples of Figurative Language

How does alliteration add to a story?
 creates rhythm
 creates / effects mood
 emphasizes words / phrases
Example:
"The sun for sorrow will not show his head" (The Prince, Act 5 Scene 3)
Examples of Figurative Language
How does imagery add meaning or emotion to a story?
 a creative way to express emotion.
 develop the tone or mood
 creates a picture in the reader’s mind
 encourages use of other senses
Example:
“I'll tell you how the sun rose,-A ribbon at a time.
The steeples swam in amethyst,
The news like squirrels ran. …”
- Emily Dickinson
Jargon, Dialect, and Slang

Jargon, dialect, and slang are types of
figurative language.

An author can use all of these to add
meaning or emotion to the story he or
she is telling.

It can also be used to reveal important
character traits.
Jargon


Jargon refers to the language and
technical terms used by people of the
same profession or group.
By profession, we mean:
Jargon

Jargon refers to the language and
technical terms used by people of the
same profession or group.

By profession, we mean:
any vocation or business
Examples of jargon


Many professions use words or phrases that an average
person would not know the meaning of.
Doctors and nurses use many phrases when talking to
each other that an average person would not
understand:
Anterior
 Granuloma
 Subdural
 Pericardial effusion
 Renogram

Examples of jargon

Many other professionals often use jargon. Some
common professions that use jargon:
 Police
 Lawyers
 Scientists
 Businessmen
 Athletes
and businesswomen
Examples of Jargon
B&E – Breaking and Entering
DUI – Driving Under the Influence
Dialect

Dialect is language spoken by the
people of a particular place, time
or social group

What are some examples of how people use different words now
than they did two hundred years ago?

What are some examples of how people in the Midwest use
different words than people in the South?

What are some examples of how wealthier people might use
different words than less affluent people would?
Examples of Dialect

Look at the following two ways someone might say
“Hi” to a group of friends when they walk into a
room. Which speaker is most likely from America?
Which speaker is most likely from England?
 Well,
hey there, mates. You catch the game on
the tele this evening?
 Hey
guys, what’s up? Did you watch the Chiefs
game last night?
Examples of Dialect

Look at the following two ways someone might
invite a group of friends to dinner. Which speaker
is most likely from the Midwest? Which speaker is
most likely from the South?
 Hey,
do you all want to go to dinner tonight?
 Howdy
there. Do y’all want to go grab some
dinner?
Examples of Dialect

Look at the following two passages. Which passage was most
likely written recently? Which passage was probably written
hundreds of years ago?

It could have betokened nothing short of the
anticipated execution of some noted culprit, on whom
the sentence of a legal tribunal had but confirmed the
verdict of public sentiment.
From The Scarlet Letter

The day was for the most part routine for Germany’s
eighty-two million citizens. Train stations were
buzzing, coffee shops busy, government offices going
about their business.
From The New York Times
What are some examples of how people use different words
now than they did two hundred years ago?
200 years ago
Now
hypos
stimulus, burst of energy (hyper)
gay
happy
aforesaid
said before
molested
disturbed, bothered
“MANY years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an
ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had
reduced him to want. To avoid the mortification consequent upon his disasters, he left
New Orleans, the city of his forefathers, and took up his residence at Sullivan's Island,
near Charleston, South Carolina.”
The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe
Slang


Slang is informal words used in
casual conversation.
By informal, we mean:
Slang


Slang is informal words used in
casual conversation.
By informal, we mean:
without formality; casual
Slang

Below are examples of how we can turn formal
sentences (left) into slang sentences (right).
Yes.
Yep.
That was unusual.
That was random.
My parents are here to pick me up.
Our team needs to play
our best tonight.
My ride’s here.
Our team needs to take care
of business tonight.