Two experiments are described in which reaction times for understanding target sentences or phrases in terms of a preceding context were measured. In experiment one, the target sentences followed either short or long contexts which induced either literal interpretations or metaphorical ones. Results indicated that only in the short context…

Designed to help the beginning or experienced poet, this book describes the progressive stages and possible difficulties in writing poetry--planning, the actual work with language and form, appraisal, and revision. "Journal Projects," or assignments, presenting increasingly difficult material are appended to each section of the book to encourage…

The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental patterns of figurative language in elementary school children of varied socioeconomic and achievement backgrounds. Children were randomly selected from grades three through six in five elementary schools of differing socioeconomic levels. Within each school one experimental class per…

A study of symbolism in feature films reveals how the symbolism employed by film makers can serve as a bridge between feeling and thought, and between aesthetics and cognition. What individuals read from and learn through a symbol varies with what they bring to it. The filmmaker's symbolims must be universal and not private. However, symbolism in…

Oral tradition, both rural and urban, forms an infrastructure for this anthology, which presents selections of black poetry with an emphasis on the poetry of the sixties. Based on the thesis that the new black poetry's main referents are black speech and black music, the anthology includes examples from the oral tradition of folk sermon,…

The capacity to appreciate and produce metaphoric language is thought to develop at adolescence. Yet metaphors are frequently noted in the speech of preschool children. To resolve this apparent contradiction, a test probing metaphoric capacity was devised. Matched groups of subjects ranging in age from 3 1/2 to 19 were required to indicate…

Various approaches to teaching creative writing to children are described. The book contains many examples of children's writing and stresses the need to listen to the child, to praise, to make suggestions gently, and to encourage the child to use his own senses for firsthand impressions and to say what he truly feels. Some of the chapters discuss…

The author reports on a study designed to determine the effects of figurative language--particularly the metaphor--on persuasive discourse, by comparing hypotheses developed from the theories of Michael Osborn, Jean Piaget, and Charles Osgood. In addition to a figurative language variable (metaphor versus literal), other variables in the study…

Describes how to use the "Make a Wish" television series to stimulate student interest in the art of playing with language; includes a sample of student writing based on study of the series. (DD)

A discussion of three classes of metaphors in the context of Whorf's thesis that language reflects culture with a view to uncovering cultural differences between Chinese and English. It is concluded that universal psychological constraints on human language impose limits by dictating some patterns of metaphors and ruling against others. (AMH)

Presents a developmental study of children's understanding and appreciation of figurative language. Results replicated previous findings that kindergarten children are capable of interpreting figurative language whereas appreciation appears to require increased cognitive sophistication. (JMB)

Questions the assumption that literal, figurative, and anomalous sentences should be regarded as qualitatively different kinds of speech rather than as portions of a continuum of language use. (RL)

Argues that metaphor should be given a more important place in language teaching and considers ways in which the expanded available knowledge about metaphors can be incorporated into language art curricula, through such methods as multi-text exercises. (Author/CB)

Reviews use of "figurative" language by Supreme Court justices in court decisions relating to First Amendment rights of students and teachers. Outlines how use of metaphor, metonomy, and other tropes has led to expressions in judicial opinions that have been used repeatedly in constitutional defenses. Discusses dangers and strengths of…

Describes the results of two studies indicating that people do not ordinarily process the complete literal or compositional interpretations of idiomatic expressions, and that people are automatically biased toward interpreting such language as idioms before deriving their intended literal meanings. (HTH)