There are 16 literary devices that repeatedly appear in the literature we read this year.
Literary devices are craft moves that writers use to make writing more interesting, unique, vivid or humorous.
Many are explained in this literary devices rap by Mr. Bloom
You have THREE learning targets or three goals:
I can understand the names and definitions.
I can recognize them when you come across them.
I can incorporate some of them into your own writing.
The 16 Literary Devices that you need to understand and be able to identify are explained in these video clips below.
Screencast #1 for: alliteration, allusion, cliche
STEP 1:
Watch the “alliteration, allusion and cliche” video clip above by clicking on the purple words.
Fill in the blank in each definition on your “Important Literary Devices” packet.
STEP 2:
Click on the purple words below to go to sites full of examples of alliteration, allusions and cliches.
ALLITERATION in sentences, also known as alliterative sentences.
ALLUSIONS in writing.
CLICHES should become familiar to you, so you can avoid them.
STEP 3:
Add 1 more example of alliteration, 1 more example of allusion and 1 more example of a cliche, to your packet in the space that says “your example.”
Screencast #2: connotation, denotation, foreshadowing, hyperbole
Screencast #2: STEP 1:
Watch the “connotation, denotation, foreshadowing and hyperbole video clip above by clicking on the link.
Fill in the blank in each definition on your “Important Literary Devices” packet.
Screencast #2: STEP 2:
Look at each of the below sites for more examples of connotation, denotation foreshadowing and hyperbole.
CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION explained in detail
FORESHADOWING examples in Disney movies
HYPERBOLE definition and examples
Screencast #2: STEP 3:
Write down 1 more example of connotation, 1 more example of denotation, 1 example of foreshadowing, and 1 example of hyperbole on your packet in the space that says “your example.”
Screencast #3: imagery, irony, metaphor
Screencast #3: STEP 1:
Watch the “imagery, irony, metaphor” video clip above by clicking on the link.
Fill in the blank in each definition on your “Important Literary Devices” packet.
Screencast #3: STEP 2:
Look at each of the below sites for more examples of imagery, irony, metaphor.
IMAGERY examples in literature
METAPHOR examples
IRONY (situational irony) examples
IRONIC images / signs
Screencast #3: STEP 3:
Write down one more example of imagery, irony, metaphor on your packet in the space that says “your example.”
Screencast #4: onomatopoeia, oxymoron, personification
Screencast #4: STEP 1:
Watch the “onomatopoeia, oxymoron, and personification” video clip above by clicking on the link.
Fill in the blank in each definition on your “Important Literary Devices” packet.
Screencast #4: STEP 2:
Look at each of the below sites for more examples of onomatopoeia, oxymoron, and personification.
ONOMATOPOEIA examples
OXYMORON examples and oxymorons in famous quotes
PERSONIFICATION examples and how that differs from animals acting like humans
Screencast #4: STEP 3:
Write down one more example of onomatopoeia, oxymoron, and personification on your packet in the space that says “your example.”
Screencast #5: pun, simile, symbol
Screencast #5: STEP 1:
Watch the “pun, simile and symbol” video clip above by clicking on the link.
Fill in the blank in each definition on your “Important Literary Devices” packet.
Screencast #5: STEP 2:
Look at each of the below sites for more examples of pun, simile and symbol.
PUNS galore
SIMILE examples
SYMBOLISM examples
Screencast #5: STEP 3:
Write down one more example of pun, simile and symbol on your packet in the space that says “your example.”
After: Circle or star three or four terms that seem a bit complicated or confusing to you. If none are confusing, you may skip this step, but try to identify at least one or two terms that are a bit harder to understand than the others.
Finally: Choose 8 terms that you want to work on adding to your writing throughout the year and eventually master.
List them on your packet in the numbered spaces provided.
In Class:
Visit each of the stations in class to:
Research your 8 terms.
Find examples of the 8 terms in picture books or songs or poems.
Create study aid(s) to help you learn the 8 terms (both paper and electronic aids).
Create a lesson to teach a 5th grader.
Use them in your writing (and/or create your own examples) of the 8 terms.
More resources:
Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden read aloud
Imagery / sensory descriptions rap by Mr. Bloom
The origin of many well-known idioms, which are often also considered cliches, explained
Symbolism taught through sketching by Ms. Sara Johnson
Resources for the quiz
More Practice:
When finished with your booklet, use one of the images below as inspiration, if you choose, and WRITE a super short story including lots of examples of IMAGERY (include all FIVE senses in your descriptions and at least THREE other literary devices, other than imagery).
If you don’t want to write about either of the pictures, that is okay. Choose your own topic.
There is no minimum or maximum length requirements, and you can choose to write about any topic you’d like. If you are stumped, try basing your story on one of the below images. Please hand write this assignment on a blank page of your red notebook.
7th grade Language Arts 