Study Notes
The topic focuses on the use of apostrophe as a figure of speech in descriptive writing, where a speaker addresses an imaginary or absent person, object, or concept.
- Apostrophe — a figure of speech where the speaker addresses someone absent or something non-human as if it could respond.
Example: "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" - Imaginary Address — speaking to an object or idea as if it were a person.
Example: "O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn's being." - Absent Person — addressing someone who is not present.
Example: "O Death, where is thy sting?"
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Apostrophe: addressing an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction
- Imaginary Address: speaking to an object or idea as if it were a person
Common Confusions
- Confusing apostrophe (figure of speech) with the punctuation mark
- Misidentifying apostrophe when the addressed entity is present
Typical Exam Questions
- What is an apostrophe in literature? An apostrophe is when a speaker addresses someone absent or something non-human as if it could respond.
- Identify the apostrophe in this sentence: "O Death, where is thy sting?" The apostrophe is "O Death."
- Create a sentence using apostrophe to address the moon. "O Moon, how you light up the night sky with your gentle glow."
What Examiners Usually Test
- Ability to identify apostrophe in texts
- Understanding of how apostrophe is used to convey emotion or emphasis