Challenge Grant Learning Interchange (Unit)

Lesson 3: Literary Devices

Developed by Bonnie Frazier and Brian Grisetti

Lesson 3: Literary Devices

The focus of this lesson is the identification and definition of literary devices and understanding how they bring the story to life for the reader. The students will be writing original samples of literary devices.

a. Literary devices are used to bring a story to life (i.e. simile, metaphor, personfication)
b. A simile is a comparison using like or as.
c. A metaphor is comparison of two unlike things (i.e. Juliet is the sun) without the use of like or as.
d. Personification is the humanizing of a non-human object.
e. A literal telling of a story is the telling of events without the use of literary devices and descriptive language.
f. In contrast, a creative telling of a story would include literary devices and descriptive language.
g. Creative telling of a story makes it more memoriable.

Subject:English/Languages Arts
Learning Level: Middle School
Author(s): Bonnie Frazier and Brian Grisetti
Submitted by: Brian Grisetti

Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.

Time Frame: 1-2 50 minute class periods

Materials/Resources: Pencil, paper
Poetry samples and other forms of literature using simile, metaphor and personification
Story created from previous lesson(s)

Suggested Poetry & Literature Samples:
Simile - The collective poetry of Langston Hughes
Metaphor - "I Know Why a Cage Bird Sings" By Maya Angalu
Personification - Trees & Other Poems & Candles That Burn by Joyce Kilmer
Descriptive Language - "Stopping By Woods on Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost

Day One
1. Using samples of poetry and other literature, the students will find literary devices: simile and metaphor
2. Students define each device, and cite examples from previous lesson's stories.
3. Students will define simile and metaphor and list examples of each in their English journal.
4. Students will divide into their small group and create original examples of simile and metaphor.
5. Each group will present one example of each literary device.

Day Two
1. Using samples of poetry and other literature, the students will find the literary device, personification
2. Students define personification and cite examples from previous lesson's stories.
3. Students will list examples of each in their English journal.
4. Students will divide into their small group and create original examples of personification.
5. Each group will present an example of personification.

Assess English journals for at least 2 examples each of simile, metaphor, and personification. Students will share them with the whole class and the teacher will check the journals for completeness and accuracy.