Figures of Speech

A metaphor is a kind of comparison between two unlike things. Authors use metaphors to explain complex ideas in a simple way. For example, Lance Armstrong uses a metaphor on page 2 when he writes that "cyclists fight an ongoing war with guys in big trucks." It isn't actually a war; he means that these two groups of people are always in conflict with each other over the use of the road.

 

A simile is similar to a metaphor. it is also a comparison between two unlike things, but it features the words like or as. For example, on page 2, Armstrong writes that "cancer...was like being run off the road by a truck."

 

Become aware of metaphors and similes when you encounter them in your reading. Keep a personal list in your notebook, and/or write them below. (Click on "Edit", log in to the wiki, and copy the figure of speech. Be sure to write the source (book title and page number). If someone else has already recorded a metaphor, don't write it again.

 

a. Cyclists fight an ongoing war with guys in big trucks. (p. 2)

b. When I woke up the next morning, my testicle was horrendously swollen, almost to the size of an orange. (p.9) Jennifer

c. Reeves turned out to be an older gentleman with deep, resonanting voice that sounded like it came from the bottom of a well. (p.10) Fei

d. I paid for it by bonking, meaning I ran completely out of energy. I had an empty tank. (p. 27) Felix

 

 

Before and After

1. In this chapter, Lance Armstrong describes how he found out that he had cancer and how he felt.

 

 

 

a. Yes. I am very interested in reading the following stories. (Jennifer)

 

b. Yes, because of his description at the final part of this chapter. You can feel his desperation and you are waiting to know what he is gonna do. (Flavia)

 

c. Of course yes, and I'm looking forward to knowing more about the story of this champion. (Aziz)

 

d.Yes, because it seem very interesting to complete reading. (Nasser)

 

e. Yes, it is an inspiring and attractive story, and I am eager to know how Amstrong overcomes cancer. (Fei)

 

f. Yes, it is an interesting story. I am convinced that he may overcome his enemy.(Jinwoo)

 

g. Sure,I want to know more about the story.(Nazanin)

 

h. My answer is completely yes. I feel as though this story was about me or my brother's life. (Felix)

 

i. In the beginning I started reading this story because I had to read it--because it is my homework, but after I had finished chapter one I decided that I want to complete this story. iIt is very interesting. (Mohamed Ali)

 

j. Yes, it does. I would like to know how he spends the rest of his life and prepares for his death. (Makoto)

 

k. It makes a strong impression. In the first chapter, I can guess that he will face a big problem, cancer. I want to know how he will overcome the obstacle. (Dae Gun Kim)

 

l. It is going to be an interesting book to read. I would love to get into Lance Armstrong's life. (Greivis Vasquez)

 

M. Yes, it is interesting to me. I want to know how he overcome everything. (Hsingchuan)

 

2. Armstrong spent a lot of time ignoring and denying his symptoms before he finally consulted a doctor.

 

 

 

a. I like to consult a doctor when I first feel sick, it's better than ignore it. (Jennifer)

 

b. I don't like to ignore symptoms now. I did it in the past, but from my personal experience I have learned that it is better to check that than to ask yourself why you didn't go to the doctor.(Flavia)

 

c. Actually it depends on the situation. If it is something usual, like flu and cough, I won't see a doctor unless I feel that there is something serious. But if it is a weird thing, I would rather to visit a doctor. (Aziz)

 

d. To be honest I don't care that much about my health, and that is wrong. (Nasser)

 

e. I never pay attention to the common cough or flu because I am able to recover after a week's rest without doctors and medicines. I think I will go to the hospital if I feel my body is abnormal. (Fei)

 

f. Frankly, I have not gone to a doctor since I was a middle-school student. However, if there are severe symptoms, I will consult a doctor. (Jinwoo)

 

g. When I feel sick, if it's not serious, I try to take care of myself without consulting a doctor. (Nazanin)

 

h. I'm different from those options. (Felix)

What do you do, Felix? (Nina)

 

i. When I get sick, at first I’ll persist, ignore it and continue my life, but if it continues I consult a doctor. (Mohamed Ali)

 

j. If I suspect a serious health problem, I may be like Armstrong. I do not want to know the truth. If I am sure that I am OK, I will not ignore and deny my symptoms. (Makoto)

 

k. It is very important that we visit a doctor when we feel sick. Some people think that they know their condition very well and they can do something for themselves. However, it is very dangerous. Only a special doctor can give good advice, not I myself. (Dae Gun Kim)

 

L. I would go to visit a doctor whenever I feel sick because it is a good way to keep my health stable. ( Greivis Vasquez)

 

M. When I get cold, I　seldom go to see a doctor. I don't like to take medicine, therefore, I always let my body to recover by itself. (Hsingchuan)

 

 

 

a. If I consult a doctor immediately, I will need to face the truth; on the other hand, if I ignore the symptoms, it could be worse. (Jennifer)

 

b. The negation of something is a way to escape from reality. That new reality that everybody is afraid of at least one time in his life. (Flavia)

 

c. If you decided to visit a doctor as soon as you felt sick, you might lose money that you don't need to spend. But on the other hand, it might be a small thing at first that may get worse if you ignore it. ( Aziz )

 

d. If you visit the doctor when you feel sick, it will better because you feel more comfortable and you will recover faster. But if you don't visit the doctor, it takes longer to recover. (Nasser)

 

e. The important point is that the disease may get worse if people do not visit a doctor. (Fei)

 

f. I think it is a good opportunity to health care.(Jinwoo)

 

g. Both responses, denying or postponing are extremes; I believe in an intermediate time of action. (Felix)

 

h. Many doctors will charge you a lot of money even if you are not actually sick, and they must find anything in your body and enlarge this problem to find another way to charge you again. (Mohamed Ali)

 

i. It causes us worse health problems and delays in asking for a doctor's help.(Makoto)

 

k. If you visit a doctor when you are ill, you can take action to make your condition good. However, if you don’t, it can become such a big problem that you can get better. (Dae Gun KIm)

 

L. By visiting a doctor when I feel sick I would make sure that I could get medicine. This would help me to feel better. (Greivis Vasquez)

 

M. To see a doctor is always good, because you can know what is wrong with you and get the right remedy immediately. (Hsingchuan)

 

 

 

1."You want to hear about my lyrical climb through the Alps and my heroic conquering of the Pyrenees, and how it felt." (Page 3, line 10) In this paragraph, I don’t understand why the author write “felt” as Italic word. Please, give me your opinion. (Dae Gun Kim)

Answer: The italics here show emphasis. Ask me in class, and I will demonstrate how it would be spoken. (Nina, 2/5/07)

Armstrong, Chapter 1