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ENG308 Week 9 understatement
- 1. ENG308 Understatement Week 9 DR. RUSSELL RODRIGO
- 2. Understatement u An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. u An understatement usually has an ironic effect, as an equally intense response is expected in severe situations, but the statement in response is the opposite of what was expected. u For instance, your friend returns your new coat with a large wine stain on the front of it. In response, you make an understatement, “It doesn’t look too bad.” Therefore, an understatement is opposite to another figure of speech, hyperbole, which is an overstatement.
- 3. Examples u Deserts are sometimes hot, dry, and sandy.” – Describing deserts of the world. u “He is not too thin.” – Describing an obese person. u “It rained a bit more than usual.” – Describing an area being flooded by heavy rainfall. u “It was O.K.” – Said by the student who got the highest score on the test. u “It is a bit nippy today.” – Describing the temperature, which is 5 degrees below freezing.
- 4. Types of Understatement 1. Comedic: This type of understatement adds humor to an otherwise serious situation. For example, there is a hurricane at your vacation home and there is most likely severe damage to the house. You say, "At least the plants will get watered." 2. Modest: This type of understatement is used instead of bragging or boasting about something. For example, winning your first trophy and saying it was "not a big deal" when it really was a big deal. 3. Polite: This type of understatement can be used in difficult situations when you may disagree with someone's opinion but still want to remain polite. For example, when talking politics and you and a friend are on completely opposite sides, but you simply say, "I think our opinions are slightly different on this matter." Or, if someone asks you to describe someone who is very short, you say, "Well, he's not tall."
- 5. Understatement in Songs You can often find the use of understatements in songs. Artists use understatements to make light of a situation or for rhetorical or ironic effect. 1. "It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine." - REM, "It's the End of the World as We Know It" 2. "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell." - Matchbox Twenty, "I'm Not Crazy" 3. "Through it all, just one thing died, A little thing called love, something deep inside." - Frank Sinatra, "You and Me (We Wanted It All)" 4. "I ain't blue, baby, Just a little bit lonesome for some lovin', Everything is fine, Just don't want to be all by myself." - Bonnie Raitt, "I Ain't Blue"
- 6. worksheet
- 7. Practice 1: Everyday Understatements 1. You just hit the biggest lottery of all time! An understatement would be: "I'm kind of excited." (Modest) 2. You are out to dinner with a friend who spills food down the front of her white shirt. An understatement would be: "Really, it's hardly noticeable." (Polite) 3. You get the highest grade in class. An understatement would be: "I did OK on that test." (Modest) 4. You scrape the entire side of your car. An understatement would be: "It is only a small scratch." (Comedic) 5. Describing a huge storm overnight, an understatement would be: "Looks like it rained a bit last night." (Comedic) 6. You just had to work a double shift. An understatement would be: "I just need to rest my eyes for a minute." (Comedic) 7. Your team wins the biggest game of the season. An understatement would be: "Yeah, we played pretty well today." (Modest) 8. On the coldest day of the year with record low temperatures an understatement would be: "I might need a jacket today." (Comedic) 9. Your friend invites you over to see their new fixer-upper. You are shocked at the poor condition of the house. An understatement would be: "Oh, it will need some fresh paint" (Polite) 10. A person flips out in anger over a hockey game on television and breaks their TV. An understatement would be: "I have a little bit of a temper." (Comedic) 11. You land your dream job after endless interviews and get offered a generous salary with lots of benefits. An understatement would be: "I am pretty happy with my new job offer." (Modest) 12. Referring to Oprah Winfrey, an understatement would be: "She has some money." (Comedic)
- 9. Group Task u Identify a current event or social issue you feel strongly about. u Post a photo of the issue and the understatement on Blackboard. u Argue how a politician’s understatement concerning the topic could either make matters worse or help rally more support for the issue. u Your presentation should follow below. u Present the issue u Clearly state your opinion. u Supporting details: Give at least 3. u Counter argument u Rebuttal u Closing Presentations on Thursday.