Analyzing The Purpose

Worksheet Description

The worksheet is an educational resource designed to teach students about the use of juxtaposition for rhetorical effect in literature. It begins with a clear definition, stating that juxtaposition can involve people, ideas, places, behaviors, and characteristics placed close together to highlight their differences or similarities. The purpose is to provoke thought in the reader by demonstrating the contrast or comparison between the juxtaposed elements.

Following the introduction, the worksheet lists reasons writers employ juxtaposition, such as character development, emphasizing nuances, linking seemingly unrelated ideas, creating humor or absurdity, and showing preference for one element over another. Students are tasked with identifying at least one example of juxtaposition in a given text and determining which of the stated reasons best explains the author’s choice to use this device. This requires them to not only locate instances of juxtaposition but also to think critically about the author’s intent and the device’s effect on the text’s meaning. The provided lines under ‘Text’, ‘Example of Juxtaposition’, and ‘Why use juxtaposition here?’ guide students to organize their thoughts and responses clearly, facilitating a structured approach to literary analysis.