Figurative Language Awards Ceremony

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

Students explore books rich in figurative language and nominate their favorite examples of similes, metaphors, and personification for a figurative language award. Once nominations are in, the class votes, selecting a winning example in each category. Finally, students are challenged to write an acceptance speech for one of the winners, using as many literary devices (simile, metaphor, personification) as they can in their speech.

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FEATURED RESOURCES

Books Containing Figurative Language: Use this book list to gather books rich in similes, metaphors, and personification for students to peruse.

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FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

In her article "Literary Analysis 101," Anete Vasquez writes: "Good readers recognize literary devices and become partners with the author in creating meaning. Good readers also evaluate what they read, considering whether they agree with the author's agenda and if they think the author is effective as a writer."

This lesson offer students the chance to evaluate published writing. By using picture books to explore figurative language, students have the chance to read and evaluate multiple texts. Susan Hall writes: "Specifically, picture storybooks can effectively illustrate many of the common literary elements found in "mature" literature. Deceptively simple, picture storybooks have the advantage of teaching complex literary devices in an accessible format to students of all ages."

Further Reading

Hall, Susan. 1994. Using Picture Storybooks to Teach Literary Devices. Westport, CT: Oryx Press.

 

Vasquez, Anete. "Literary Analysis 101." English Journal 94.6 (July 2005): 97-100.

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