The Elegant Excess

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is designed to enhance students’ understanding of pleonasm in the context of classical and modern literature. It provides two sentences from well-known literary works – “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare and “Molloy” by Samuel Beckett. Students are instructed to identify the pleonasm in each sentence and then discuss the emphasis or dramatic effect it provides. This activity requires students to analyze how authors use redundant wording to enrich their writing, giving depth to messages or ideas.

The worksheet aims to teach students about pleonasm as a purposeful stylistic choice in writing, contrary to the common preference for brevity and conciseness. Through this exercise, students learn that deliberate redundancy can add a layer of emphasis or emotion to literature. They are encouraged to think critically about how each instance of pleonasm fits into the broader context of the narrative and character dialogue. This not only improves their literary analysis skills but also deepens their appreciation for the complexity of authorial expression.