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Understanding the Use of Figurative Language in Fiction

Unit Plan

Understanding the Use of Figurative Language in Fiction

Objectives

This unit reinforces students’ understanding and provides practice in identifying and interpreting figurative language, including alliteration, personification, and symbolism. Students will:

  • identify examples of figurative language and analyze how they are used.
  • describe the use of alliteration.
  • describe the use of personification.
  • identify the effects of the use of symbolism.
  • describe the effects of figurative language in fiction.

Essential Questions

  • How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
  • How does what readers read influence how they should read?
  • How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
  • Why learn new words?
  • What strategies and resources do readers use to figure out unknown vocabulary?
  • How do learners develop and refine their vocabulary?

Related Unit and Lesson Plans

Related Materials & Resources

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Formative Assessment

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    Short-Answer Item:

    Fill in the chart with an example of each type of figurative language.

     

    Type of figurative language

    Example

    Alliteration

     

    Personification

     

    Simile

     

    Metaphor

     

    Symbolism

     

     

    Short-Answer Key and Scoring Rubric:

    Points

    Description

    3

    Student demonstrates understanding by providing accurate examples of all five types of figurative language.

    • Alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words) Example: The perky puppy played in the puddle.
    • Personification (an object or abstract idea given human qualities or human form) Example: The frost painted designs on the window.
    • Simile (comparison of two unlike things, using like or as) Example: She ran as fast as the wind.
    • Metaphor (comparison of two unlike things, without using like or as) Example: The moon was their guide.
    • Symbolism (a device in literature where an object represents an idea) Example: A bald eagle is a symbol of the United States.

    2

    Student provides accurate examples of three or four types of figurative language.

    1

    Student provides an accurate example of one or two types of figurative language.

    0

    Student demonstrates a lack of understanding or makes no attempt to complete the task.

     


    Performance Assessment:

    Have students find or create a symbol of their family and write a paragraph or a poem that describes the symbol and explains what it means to them. Tell students to incorporate at least three examples of figurative language—alliteration, personification, simile, or metaphor—in their paragraphs or poems and to explain how the use of figurative language helps the reader understand their writing.

    Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:

    Points

    Description

    3

    Student demonstrates understanding by completing all three requirements:

    • chooses an appropriate symbol
    • writes a paragraph or poem describing and explaining the symbol
    • includes at least three examples of figurative language and explains how the use of figurative language helps the reader understand his or her writing

    2

    Student completes two of the requirements.

    1

    Student completes one of the requirements.

    0

    Student demonstrates a lack of understanding or makes no attempt to complete the task.

     

Final 03/01/2013
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