Literary+Devices



There are 16 literary devices that repeatedly appear in the literature we read this year. They help make writing more interesting, unique, vivid or humorous.

You have THREE goals: 1. understand the names and definitions 2. recognize them when you come across them 3. be able to incorporate some of them into your own writing


 * Literary Devices Project**

STEP 1: Watch ALL FIVE, that means all 5, of the video clips below.

The 16 Literary Devices that you need to understand and be able to identify are explained in multiple video clips below. Watch each part in the order that it appears by clicking on each link. Fill-in the blanks in your "Important Literary Devices" packet as you go. The packet can also be downloaded on MyUSM.

Fill-in all the blanks for all 16 terms.

VIDEO CLIPS: alliteration, allusion, cliche

connotation, denotation, foreshadowing, hyperbole

imagery, irony, metaphor

onomatopoeia, oxymoron, personification

pun, simile, symbol


 * STEP 2: ** Now that you’ve gone through all of the definitions, pick ANY THREE of the devices that you feel you understand very well, and go back and create your OWN examples for them. Write your own example of that lit device in the blank spot under the definition on your packet. Choose 3 different devices. Put the examples on the handout right under the definitions.

**STEP 3:** 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.


 * STEP 4: ** Choose 8 terms that you want to work on and eventually master.

List them on your packet in the numbered spaces provided.

Visit each of the stations in class to:
 * STEP 5: ** (DONE IN CLASS)

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 (or create your own examples) of the 8 terms.

Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden read aloud

PUNS galore!

Resources for the quiz

found by John P.

found by Arianna A.

found by Michael M.

media type="custom" key="23757330"

The origin of many well-known idioms, which are often also considered cliches, explained

When finished with your booklet, WRITE a super short story including excessive examples of IMAGERY (include all 5 senses in your descriptions and at least THREE other literary devices other than imagery). 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 journal.