Analytic Terms in Popular Culture

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Alliteration:

The quote “Don’t do drugs” comes from the National Drug Association

This alliteration emphasizes the ‘d’ sound at the beginning of all of the words in the advertisement “Don’t Do [and] Drugs!”

Analysis: In this advertisement, the National Association of Drugs stresses the relation between the words don’t, do and drugs by emphasizing the ‘d’ sound at the beginning of each word.  They want to emphasize Don’t and Drugs to show people that you shouldn’t take drugs. This alliteration sends a strong message to children and adults alike through its simplicity and efficiency.

Imagery

Ex/Just Go Lyrics: Jesse Mccartney

“Your eyes are ice cold blue/A mirror of the heart inside of you”

Explanation: Our attention is drawn to sight by the imagery

Analysis: The singer is emphasizing the eyes of a former lover. Without reading or listening to the rest of the lyrics one will think that he does not like this person because if he did he would not describe her eyes as being “ice cold”. Usually in lyrics, or other pieces of writing, the writer will describe their lover as warm or kind, not icy and cold. He also states that it is “A mirror of the heart inside” of her which brings us closer to the conclusion that he does dislikes the person he is referring to. The singer uses the words ice, cold and blue to describe the girl’s eyes which he compares to a mirror that shows her true self.

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Personification:

Ex/The Golden Compass

“You’re not taking this seriously,” whispered her dæmon. “Behave yourself”(Pullman, 3)

Explanation/ In real life animals cannot speak or be capable of doing things that are natural to humans such as having a personality.

Analysis/ In “The Golden Compass” the humans dæmon’s all have human characteristics. Pullman personifies the dæmons to emphasize the bond between human and dæmon to show the reader the different sides of the characters and to understand their personalities better. Pantalaimon is Lyra’s dæmon. He is personified as being much more careful, reserved, and courageous. He is also ...

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