Understatement-Litotes

Landon: pd 3: Wootton High school Definition #1: A __ [|figure of speech] __ consisting of an __ [|understatement] __ in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite. Source: [] about.com

Definition #2: an understatement, especially one in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary, as in “it’s not unpleasant.”

Source: [] the free dictionary.com

Definition in your own "student friendly" words: A rhetorical effect used to make an observation in a more subtle way by using a double negative. Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: []

The repeated use of the double negative phrases make it clear as to how litotes are used. Showing clips of movies where litotes are used and then explaining in more detail allow the audience to get a very acute sense of what litotes are.

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): [] Using litotes in a sentence form make a clear statement as to their purpose in language. Then to follow the formal definitions, they give easier to understand definitions shortly after.

First Name: Kelsey Murphy Period: 4 School:Wootton High School

Definition #1: "representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts"

Source: []

Definition #2:
 * "understatement** is used to make something appear smaller or less important than it really is. It can be used to entertain or to reduce the importance of the truth."

Source: []

Definition in your own "student friendly" words: to minimize the effect of a statement by making the information seem less important.

Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example:

"I have to have this operation. It isn't very serious. I have this tiny little tumor on the brain." (Holden Caulfield in //The Catcher In The Rye//, by J. D. Salinger) It is a good example of an understatement because a brain tumor is not something to be taken lightly and it is made to seem less significant.

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): 2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example:

“Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her physical appearance.” –

// A Tale of Two Cities // by

Charles Dickens

[] It is a good example because it uses opposites to create a less important meaning of the statement and contradict the usual figures of speech.

Jasmine jordan: Period 4th: School: cesar chavez PCHS

Definition #1: Understatement is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seen less important or serious than it is. Source: []

Definition #2: litotes is a figure of speech consisting of an understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by negative its opposite. Source: []

Definition in your own "student friendly" words: its when you make a situation not as big as it is.

Link to example #1 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): Bill Gates is not that rich

2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: This is a good example of understatement because its said that bill gates is not rich. When bill gates is one of the riches men in the world.

Link to example #2 (text, advertisement, video, speech, etc): He's not the most handsome fellow! (he's ugly!)

2-3 sentence explanation of why it is a good example: This is a good example of litotes because it showing how it the opposite. how its making something not so bad sound good.

