In this lesson, students will study literary devices such as metaphor, simile, irony, and symbolism, and learn how they contribute to the meaning and impact of a text.
Literary devices are the tools that writers use to convey their message, tell a story, or share their opinion. These devices help to create a rich and engaging reading experience. Some examples of literary devices include symbolism, metaphor, simile, imagery, and personification.
*Question: What are literary devices?
; Techniques for writing;
Tools writers use;
Methods of communication
Symbolism is when an object or idea represents something else. An example of symbolism is a dove, which often represents peace.
*Question: What is symbolism?
; Idea that represents something else;
The main character in a story;
A feeling of sadness
Metaphors are when a writer compares two things that are not usually considered similar. For example, "Her eyes were diamonds" is a metaphor because the writer is comparing the person's eyes to diamonds.
*Question: What are metaphors?
; Comparing two things that are not usually considered similar;
A type of story;
Characters in a book
Similes are also a comparison, but use the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, "He runs as fast as a cheetah" is a simile, because the writer is comparing the person's speed to that of a cheetah.
*Question: What are similes?
; Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as';
Method of creating a climax in a story;
Finding hidden meanings
Imagery is when the writer paints a picture in the reader's mind using descriptive language. For example, "The sun rose slowly, its rays spreading across the sky like a warm blanket" is imagery, because the writer is using descriptive language to convey an image in the reader's mind.
*Question: What is imagery?
; Creating pictures in the reader's mind;
The moral lesson of the story;
Learning new vocabulary
Personification is when an object or animal is given human characteristics. For example, "The wind whispered through the trees" is personification, because the writer is giving the wind the human characteristic of being able to whisper.
*Question: What is personification?
; Giving human characteristics to objects or animals;
A type of metaphor;
The resolution of a story