Literary Devices: Identify and Use Figures of Speech
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can understanding and using literary devices transform you into a more effective communicator and enrich your understanding of the world around you?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How do authors use literary devices to enhance their writing?
- What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
- How can literary devices help me become a better writer?
- Where can I find literary devices in the texts that I read?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will identify and define a variety of literary devices, including pun, euphemism, hyperbole, paradox, anaphora, oxymoron, irony, narrative voices, and symbolism.
- Students will analyze how authors use literary devices to enhance their writing and convey meaning.
- Students will effectively incorporate literary devices into their own writing to improve communication and creative expression.
- Students will recognize and interpret literary devices in various texts and contexts.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to students'Literary Device Remix' Challenge
Students receive popular songs or movie scenes stripped of their literary devices. They must creatively re-write or re-imagine the content, purposefully incorporating specific figures of speech to enhance the meaning or impact, encouraging playful experimentation.'Lost in Translation' Escape Room
Students enter a room filled with nonsensical phrases and mixed-up sayings. They must work together, using their knowledge of literary devices, to 'decode' the messages and find the hidden meaning to escape, sparking curiosity about the power of language.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Device Discovery: A Literary Scavenger Hunt
Students embark on a scavenger hunt to find examples of literary devices in various texts (poems, articles, stories). This activity builds foundational knowledge and recognition skills.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compilation of examples for each literary device, properly cited, along with a brief explanation of its effect in the given context.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will identify and define a variety of literary devices...Students will recognize and interpret literary devices in various texts and contexts.Device Deep Dive: Analysis and Interpretation
Students select one or two literary devices from the list and analyze their use in a chosen text in depth. This activity develops analytical skills and deeper understanding.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written analysis (1-2 pages) of the selected literary device(s) in the chosen text, including specific examples and a detailed explanation of their effect.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will analyze how authors use literary devices to enhance their writing and convey meaning. Students will recognize and interpret literary devices in various texts and contexts.Device in Action: Creative Writing Challenge
Students apply their understanding of literary devices by incorporating them into their own creative writing pieces. This activity encourages experimentation and skill development.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA creative writing piece (poem, short story, scene) that effectively incorporates the selected literary devices.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will effectively incorporate literary devices into their own writing to improve communication and creative expression.Device Remix: Transforming Existing Text
Students take an existing piece of writing (e.g., a news article, a children's story) and rewrite it, adding or altering literary devices to change its tone, meaning, or impact.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA revised version of the selected text with strategically incorporated literary devices, along with a written reflection explaining the changes and their effects.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals: Students will analyze how authors use literary devices to enhance their writing and convey meaning. Students will effectively incorporate literary devices into their own writing to improve communication and creative expression.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLiterary Device Mastery Portfolio Rubric
Device Identification and Definition
Demonstrates accurate identification and understanding of literary devices (pun, euphemism, hyperbole, paradox, anaphora, oxymoron, irony, narrative voices, and symbolism).Accuracy of Identification
Ability to correctly identify instances of literary devices in various texts.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently and accurately identifies a wide range of literary devices in complex texts, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their nuances.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies most literary devices in various texts, showing a thorough understanding of their definitions and functions.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some literary devices correctly but struggles with more complex examples or less common devices.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify literary devices accurately, demonstrating a limited understanding of their definitions.
Clarity of Definition
Ability to clearly and accurately define the identified literary devices.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides clear, concise, and insightful definitions of literary devices, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of their purpose and effect.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides accurate and thorough definitions of literary devices, explaining their key characteristics and functions.
Developing
2 PointsProvides basic definitions of literary devices but may lack clarity or detail in explanations.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to provide accurate or complete definitions of literary devices, demonstrating a limited understanding.
Analysis and Interpretation
Demonstrates the ability to analyze how authors use literary devices to enhance their writing and convey meaning.Depth of Analysis
Extent to which the student explores the impact of literary devices on the text.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated and insightful analysis of how literary devices contribute to the overall meaning, tone, and effect of the text, demonstrating a keen awareness of the author's craft.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes how literary devices contribute to the meaning, tone, and effect of the text, providing clear and well-supported interpretations.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies the effects of some literary devices but struggles to provide in-depth analysis or support interpretations with specific evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a superficial analysis of literary devices, lacking specific evidence or detailed explanations.
Use of Evidence
Quality and relevance of textual evidence used to support analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsUses compelling and well-chosen textual evidence to support analysis, demonstrating a deep understanding of the text and the function of literary devices.
Proficient
3 PointsUses relevant textual evidence to support analysis, clearly connecting the evidence to the interpretation of literary devices.
Developing
2 PointsProvides some textual evidence but may not always be relevant or effectively connected to the analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides little or no textual evidence to support analysis, or the evidence is irrelevant to the interpretation.
Creative Application
Demonstrates effective incorporation of literary devices into original creative writing to enhance communication and creative expression.Effective Use of Devices
Skillful and intentional use of literary devices to enhance the writing's impact and meaning.
Exemplary
4 PointsMasterfully incorporates literary devices to create a powerful and nuanced effect, enhancing the writing's overall impact and demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their potential.
Proficient
3 PointsEffectively incorporates literary devices to enhance the writing, achieving a clear and intentional effect on the reader.
Developing
2 PointsIncorporates some literary devices but may not always use them effectively or purposefully, resulting in a mixed impact on the writing.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to incorporate literary devices effectively, resulting in a piece that lacks clarity, purpose, or impact.
Originality and Creativity
Demonstrates creativity and originality in the application of literary devices.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates exceptional creativity and originality in the application of literary devices, resulting in a unique and compelling piece of writing.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates creativity and originality in the application of literary devices, enhancing the overall quality and impact of the writing.
Developing
2 PointsShows some creativity in the application of literary devices but may rely on clichés or predictable techniques.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates a lack of creativity or originality in the application of literary devices, resulting in a bland or uninspired piece of writing.
Text Transformation (Remix)
Demonstrates the ability to transform existing text by strategically incorporating literary devices to alter its tone, meaning, or impact.Strategic Device Integration
How effectively literary devices were incorporated to change the original tone, meaning and impact.
Exemplary
4 PointsSkillfully and strategically integrates literary devices to transform the text, creating a significant and intentional shift in tone, meaning, or impact.
Proficient
3 PointsStrategically integrates literary devices to alter the text's tone, meaning, or impact, achieving a noticeable and purposeful effect.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to integrate literary devices to transform the text but may not always achieve the desired effect, or the changes may be superficial.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to integrate literary devices effectively, resulting in minimal or unintentional changes to the text's tone, meaning, or impact.
Justification of Changes
Clarity and insight in explaining the rationale behind the alterations and their effect on the text.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thorough and insightful explanation of the rationale behind the alterations, clearly articulating their effect on the text's tone, meaning, and impact, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of rhetorical strategies.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear explanation of the rationale behind the alterations, explaining their effect on the text's tone, meaning, and impact.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the rationale behind the alterations but may lack clarity or detail in explaining their effect on the text.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to provide a clear or complete explanation of the rationale behind the alterations, demonstrating a limited understanding of their effect on the text.