2. 3.1 THE MYSTERY OF OAK ISLAND
• Identify and comment on implied meanings in a text
• Interpret different language techniques
• Explore different language techniques
• Compare how characters are presented in non-fiction text.
5. Oxymoron
• a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (such as cruel
kindness)
• The word oxymoron is an ancient Greek word, which translates most
closely to something like “sharply dull” or “cleverly stupid.” In other
words, the oxymoron definition is itself an oxymoron.
6. • accurate estimate
• alone together
• awfully good
• bittersweet
• climb down
• close distance
• grow smaller
• jumbo shrimp
• only option
• original copy
• passive-aggressive
• same difference
• seriously funny
• small crowd
• virtual reality
7.
8. Hyperbole
• The definition of hyperbole is “exaggerated statements or
claims not meant to be taken literally.” In practice, hyperbole is
language that loads up on the drama.
9. • He's got tons of money.
• He is older than the hills.
• I will die if he asks me to dance.
• He is as big as an elephant!
• I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
• I have told you a million times not to lie!
10. Getting stared
• Stories and real-life accounts of people discovering hidden
objects and treasure are very popular.
• In pairs, discuss why these types of writing fascinate people.
Have you ever found something interesting or valuable?
11. The Oak Island Mystery
• Read the following informative article about Oak
Island in Canada. The island is rumoured to contain
hidden treasure.
12. Activity 1
• Make notes on the different people who have
searched for the treasure, according to the article.
What did each group or person do and what did they
find?
13. Answers should form useful notes of key
points:
• 1799: Daniel McGinnis – found stones / evidence of tools / dug 9
metres / stopped due to strange feeling
• 1909: Gold Salvage Group – dug 34 metres / found nothing
• 1969: Triton Alliance – dug 72 metres / claimed camera recorded
chests and tools / hole collapsed and project stopped
• 2006: Lagina brothers – findings include coin and sword but no
treasure
14. Activity 2
• Explain what is implied by the final sentence:
“The balance between what they have spent and what they
have found seems very unequal.”
What effect do you think the writer intended to have by
ending in this way?
19. Activity 3
• Even in non fiction writing, writers use language
techniques to imply meaning. Copy and complete the
table to suggest how each of the language devices
from the first paragraph of the article could be
interpreted. An example has been completed for you.
21. Diggin’ up the past
• Now read another article about the Oak Island treasure hunters. This
article is from a magazine written for young readers, containing
entertaining accounts of people doing adventurous things. One of the
ways it entertains the reader is by using language associated with
stereotype of a pirate.
23. Activity 4
• Write list of words and phrases that present the Lagina brothers in a
positive way.
24. Activity 4
•Learners’ answers may include:
•Michigan’s main men and coolest kids; local
heroes; successful businessmen; if anyone can
do it, the Lagina brothers can!
25. Activity 5
• The tone of this article is informal. This comes across in the writer’s
choice of sentence types and punctuation, such as single-word
sentences, dashes and exclamation marks. The writer also uses non-
standard English word forms, such as dropping the final “g” to sound
more like a pirate.
26. In pairs :
• Make a list of informal features in articles. Look for sentence and
punctuation choices, contractions, words with the final letter missing
and any deliberate misspellings.
• Discuss the effect of these choices. Does it make the article fun? Does
it make the content of article more or less believable?
27. • Non-standard English includes:
• findin’ treasure!; unearthin’ the secrets of Oak Island; gettin’ their
paws on Cap’n Kidd’s buried treasure; cool!; searchin’; Go get ’em,
boys!
• • Explanations will vary, but should focus on the effects of the
informality, acknowledging that the text is aimed at young readers
28. • Non-standard English : words and grammatical patterns that fall
outside the conventional forms of English.
29.
30. Activity 6 (group activity)
• The two article present Lagina brothers differently. Using the last
paragraph from “Why are treasure hunters fascinated with this
Canadian islands?” and the first paragraph from “the kool kidz
digging’ doe Kidd’s treasure”, compare the way the brothers are
presented.
• The impression the writers give the brothers
• The language the writers use.
31. • In the first article there is little emphasis on the brothers’ themselves,
other than their names, whereas in the second, they are presented as
local heroes.
• • The first article suggests that their progress has been disappointing
and they have not achieved anything, whereas the second article calls
their discoveries startling and thinks they are cool.
32. • • The first article suggests that they have wasted their money
whereas the second describes them as successful businessmen and
hunters instead.
• • The first article is saying they should give up whereas the second
encourages them to continue with the treasure hunt.
• •
33. • The first article uses rather plain language describing their findings as
‘items, including a coin and a sword’ with phrases such as nothing like
the huge hoard of treasure conveying the writer is unimpressed. In
contrast, the second article uses more effusive language such as local
heroes and Cool! to show that their actions are admirable and being
celebrated.
