Teaching Literary Devices in Poems

Poetic Literary Devices Review

Multiple Choice

Does the following include an example of alliteration?

"Forget the french fries! Bring me bacon!"

• Yes

• No

Yes! The "b" and "f" sounds are repeated.

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence include alliteration?

The girl is on fire!

• Yes

• No

No, because beginning sounds are not repeated. However, it is a metaphor! (She's not actually on fire, of course. It's a comparison.)

Multiple Choice

This sentence includes what kind of literary device?

"Can you keep your cat from clawing the couch? It's chaotic."

• metaphor

• alliteration

• personification

• rhyme

Alliteration! Lots of "c" sounds at the beginning of words. (Naughty kitty!)

Multiple Choice

What type of literary device is used in this sentence:

"Life is like a box of chocolates."

• alliteration

• simile

• both

Both!

Alliteration: Life is like (repeat L sound)

Simile: LIKE a box of chocolates (comparison using like/as)

Multiple Choice

What literary device is included in this sentence?

The sunflowers danced in the breeze.

• simile

• theme

• hyperbole

• personification

Personification! Sunflowers are being given a human quality: dancing!

Multiple Choice

Identify the literary device:

"I pulled a billion weeds in my garden this weekend."

• theme

• simile

• personification

• hyperbole

Hyperbole! I didn't actually pull a billion weeds, it's an exaggeration.

Multiple Choice

My coffee is like hot lava!

What literary device is in that sentence?

• simile

• metaphor

• imagery

• alliteration

Simile! Coffee is being compared to lava, using the word "like." It's also hyperbole, since it's an exaggeration, but you didn't have that option :)

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence include personification?

The silvery moon smiled down from the clouds.

• Yes

• No

Yes! A moon is being given a human trait: smiling. :)

Multiple Choice

What is the trick for remembering what THEME means?

• Magic wand

• Google

• THEMEssage

THEMEssage.... the message or lesson behind a story or poem.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a theme statement?

• Message

• Life can be very difficult, but don't give up because it can also be very beautiful!

• She sang like a bird, the trees wept.

• Justice.

"Life can be difficult, but don't give up --it can also be very beautiful!" This is a LESSON or MESSAGE that anyone can learn from.

Multiple Choice

Imagery refers to

• Descriptions that appeal to our 5 senses

• Having a good image or reputation

• A strong comparison

The appeal to our 5 senses! If a description has to do with seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting or smelling -- it's sensory language (or imagery).

Multiple Choice

Tone in writing refers to...

• a metaphor

• the feeling or mood of the writing

• having perfect pitch

• a writer's opinion

Tone is the emotion or mood of the writing. It can be happy, dark, exciting, sad, etc. Tone is often shown through strong word choice.

Multiple Choice

What do we mean when we say writing has excellent "word choice?"

• they spelled everything correctly

• it's not confusing

• the words help us see and feel what's happening in detail

Great word choice helps us picture things clearly in our minds and hearts.

THE END