Rebecca Stark

Figurative Language and Other Literary Elements Rebecca Stark

Literary techniques are the constructions of language used by an author to convey meaning. These techniques make the story more interesting to the reader. It is crucial that students learn to identify and understand these constructions. Familiarity with these techniques will prepare them not only for standardized tests, but also for their future education. The understanding of these devices will help students get more enjoyment from the fiction they read both in and out of the classroom situation. This comprehensive unit uses examples from classic and modern literature to introduce and reinforce these techniques. Literary Devices The following literary terms / techniques are covered in this text: Connotation Dialogue Dialect Imagery Idiom Simile Metaphor Allusion Personification Hyperbole Understatement Irony Sarcasm Oxymoron Paradox Symbol Pun Alliteration Onomatopoeia Format Each term is defined. One or more examples are given from classic and/or modern literature. Students are then given opportunities to identify, explain, and use the technique. Objectives Figurative Language & Other Literary Devices is designed to teach students in grades 5 through 9 literary terms and techniques to help them understand and analyze works of fiction. At the end of this unit, students will be able to... identify the style of a work of literature; understand denotation and connotation; identify and understand dialogue; identify and understand dialect; identify and understand imagery; identify and understand idioms; identify and understand similes and metaphors; identify and understand allusion; identify and understand personification; identify and understand hyperbole; identify and understand understatement; identify and understand irony; identify and understand sarcasm; identify and understand oxymora; identify and understand paradox; identify and understand symbolism; identify and understand puns and other plays on words; identify and understand onomatopoeia, alliteration, and other forms of poetic language; use all of the above to help them analyze works of literature; and use figurative language and other literary techniques in their own writing.