Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia by William Safire

P. 996

1. What are some examples of onomatopoeias that you already know of?

2. Critical Viewing: What is the connection between the illustration on page 996 and the subject of the essay?

3. Literary Focus: Look at the second paragraph on page 996. What is the author's purpose in the first paragraph?

4. Who was the first person to use onomatopoeia? In what year?

P. 997

5. Explain the "bow-wow theory" in your own words (paraphrase).

Thematic Focus

6. How might the origin of many onomatopoetic words be tied to everyday situations and events?