2.1.6
Pun
Puns
Puns
A pun is a joke/a play on words which exploits the different possible meanings of a word - it makes fun of the fact that there are other words which sound the same but have different meanings.
Elephant's weight
Elephant's weight
- An elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight.
- In this phrase, the pun happens because of the dual meaning of ‘weight’.
- Firstly, it suggests that an elephant’s opinion is heavy, like the elephant.
- Alternatively, it suggests that an elephant’s opinion is very important (carries a lot of weight).
Library story
Library story
- The tallest building in town is the library — it has thousands of stories.
- In this phrase, the pun occurs due to the dual meaning of ‘stories’.
- Firstly, it suggests that the library building is tall because it has a lot of floors (storeys). Alternatively, it suggests that the building has a lot of story books because it is a library and houses so many.
Grave man
Grave man
- Tomorrow, you shall find me a grave man (Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet).
- In this phrase, the pun happens because of the dual meaning of ‘grave’.
- Firstly, it suggests that Mercutio is going to be a very serious (grave) man. Alternatively, it suggests that Mercutio is going end up buried in a grave because he is about to die.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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