Activity Overview
There are so many examples of figurative language present throughout The Poet X, adding to its powerful poetry. In this activity, students will identify figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, etc. and illustrate the examples from the text. Teachers may ask them to identify one type of figurative language and find multiple examples, or select one example for different types. To differentiate or scaffold, teachers can provide students with a list of types of figurative language to look out for, or have students identify them on their own!
Examples of Figurative Language in The Poet X
- Metaphor: "It has brought me the most light. And isn't that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark”
- Metaphor: “My brother was birthed a soft whistle: quiet, barely stirring the air, a gentle sound. But I was born all the hurricane he needed to lift - and drop - those that hurt him to the ground”
- Metaphor: "In science we learned that thermal conductivity is how heat flows through some materials better than others. But who knew words, when said by the right person, by a boy who raises your temperature, move heat like nothing else? Shoot a shock of warmth from your curls to your toes?"
- Metaphor: "I wanted to tell her that if Aman were a poet he'd be written slumped across the page, sharp lines, and a witty punch line written on a bodega brown paper bag."
- Simile: “My parents probably wanted a girl who would sit in the pews wearing pretty florals and a soft smile. They got combat boots and a mouth silent until it’s sharp as an island machete"
- Simile: "I thought tenth grade would be different but I still feel like a lone shrimp in a stream where too many are searching for someone with a soft shell to peel apart and crush."
- Simile: "Ms. Galiano is young, has on bright colors, and wears her hair naturally curly. She's also little - like, for real petite - but carries herself big, know what I mean? Like she's used to shouldering her way through any assumptions made about her."
- Imagery: Mami on the Subway - "Mami Works"
- Irony: Mami's harsh interpretation of Christianity
- Irony: Xiomara's meaning of her name "Gave me this gift of battle and now curses how well I live up to it"
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies figurative language such as similes, metaphors, imagery, irony examples, etc. found in The Poet X. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Identify figurative language from The Poet X you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for each of your examples using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language. | There are two correct examples of figurative language. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other) in the title box. | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
| Descriptions | There are descriptions for all three example of figurative language that correctly explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story. | One of the descriptions is missing or the descriptions do not fully explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story. | Two or more descriptions are missing or they do not explain what the figurative language means. |
Activity Overview
There are so many examples of figurative language present throughout The Poet X, adding to its powerful poetry. In this activity, students will identify figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, etc. and illustrate the examples from the text. Teachers may ask them to identify one type of figurative language and find multiple examples, or select one example for different types. To differentiate or scaffold, teachers can provide students with a list of types of figurative language to look out for, or have students identify them on their own!
Examples of Figurative Language in The Poet X
- Metaphor: "It has brought me the most light. And isn't that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark”
- Metaphor: “My brother was birthed a soft whistle: quiet, barely stirring the air, a gentle sound. But I was born all the hurricane he needed to lift - and drop - those that hurt him to the ground”
- Metaphor: "In science we learned that thermal conductivity is how heat flows through some materials better than others. But who knew words, when said by the right person, by a boy who raises your temperature, move heat like nothing else? Shoot a shock of warmth from your curls to your toes?"
- Metaphor: "I wanted to tell her that if Aman were a poet he'd be written slumped across the page, sharp lines, and a witty punch line written on a bodega brown paper bag."
- Simile: “My parents probably wanted a girl who would sit in the pews wearing pretty florals and a soft smile. They got combat boots and a mouth silent until it’s sharp as an island machete"
- Simile: "I thought tenth grade would be different but I still feel like a lone shrimp in a stream where too many are searching for someone with a soft shell to peel apart and crush."
- Simile: "Ms. Galiano is young, has on bright colors, and wears her hair naturally curly. She's also little - like, for real petite - but carries herself big, know what I mean? Like she's used to shouldering her way through any assumptions made about her."
- Imagery: Mami on the Subway - "Mami Works"
- Irony: Mami's harsh interpretation of Christianity
- Irony: Xiomara's meaning of her name "Gave me this gift of battle and now curses how well I live up to it"
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies figurative language such as similes, metaphors, imagery, irony examples, etc. found in The Poet X. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions:
- Identify figurative language from The Poet X you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
- Create an image for each of your examples using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples of Figurative Language | There are three examples of figurative language. | There are two correct examples of figurative language. | Only one of the examples of figurative language is correct. |
| Types of Figurative Language | All three examples are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other) in the title box. | Two examples of figurative language are correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other). | Only one example of figurative language is correctly identified as simile, metaphor, or personification (or other). |
| Illustrations | Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story with clear visuals of appropriate scenes, characters, items, etc. | Illustrations depict the example of figurative language from the story but are unclear or incomplete. | Illustrations do not make sense with the examples chosen. |
| Descriptions | There are descriptions for all three example of figurative language that correctly explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story. | One of the descriptions is missing or the descriptions do not fully explain what the figurative language means in the context of the story. | Two or more descriptions are missing or they do not explain what the figurative language means. |
How To Use Illustrations to Understand Figurative Language
Define Figurative Language
Figurative language can be difficult for students to understand, so spend some time explaining similes, metaphors, personification, etc. Use examples to help students solidify their thinking.
Label and Explain What it Means
Assist students in finding figurative language in a story. You may want to pull out an example and have them identify it, or students may be able to find examples on their own. Either way, students should be able to explain the meaning of the figurative language.
Illustrate the Figurative Language
Making a drawing would really help students to understand the figurative language and its meaning. Often concepts in figurative language are exaggerated, and creating a drawing is the perfect way to show that.
Frequently Asked Questions about Figurative Language in The Poet X
Why is figurative language important in a story?
Authors use figurative language to assign deeper meaning to their words, and make their writing more poetic. Figurative language such as imagery, metaphor, and personification allows the reader to think more deeply and make more connections.
What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
Similes and metaphors are types of figurative language that make comparisons. A metaphor is a straight comparison where a writer says something is something else. A simile is a comparison using like or as. By comparing two usually unlike things, authors are able to make deep meaning in a faster way.
What does imagery add to a story?
Imagery is the art of painting a picture with words. Authors appeal to the reader's senses and make them see, taste, touch, hear, or smell. Imagery sets the scene and helps the reader to feel like he is there.
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