“Academic Vocabulary and Literary Terms”
Rhetoric – the art of using words to persuade in writing or
speaking.
Rhetorical Device – specific techniques used in writing or
speaking to create a literary effect or to enhance
effectiveness.
Class Work:
1. Listen to “Imagine” while you read the lyrics below.
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Then, identify Lennon’s purpose in writing this song.
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
Mark the text to identify words that convey tone. Write a
word to describe Lennon’s tone. _______________________________

Do you see any literary or rhetorical devices (look for
simile, metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme,
anaphora, etc.)? Mark the text to identify them.
Imagine by John Lennon (John Lennon (1940-1980) is best known as one of the founding members
of the pop group The Beatles. Lennon’s song “Imagine” reflects the singer’s beliefs in the power of peaceful
action. Lennon was assassinated on December 8, 1980.
Imagine there’s no heaven,
It’s easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
Living for today ….
Continued …
Imagine there’s no countries,
It isn’t hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace …
Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world …
You may say I’m a dreamer,
But I’m not the only one,
I hope someday you’ll join us,
And the world will live as one.
Practice with Tone: Class Work Assignment # _______
Directions: Look at the tone word you have been assigned. Then,
work with your group to write a creative response to Lennon’s poem
about the likelihood of acquiring a peaceful world. Work
collaboratively to write a paragraph using diction that conveys the
assigned tone. Underline words and phrases that convey the tone.
Then, practice reading it aloud. The rest of the class will attempt to
guess your assigned tone tomorrow. Try to fill the space provided.
TONE: ________________________________
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NAMES: ______________________________________________________________________________