Sophia Learning
Sophia: Diction
This lesson uses text and an accompanying audio to discuss diction including its definition, what it includes, and an explanation and an example of how word choice, word order, and phrasing can change the tone of writing.
University of Victoria (Canada)
U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary and Rhetorical Terms: An Alphabetical List
This is an alphabetical list of literary and rhetorical terms; each includes a definition and examples.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Understand New Vocabulary Within Context (English 6 Reading)
You will learn how to use context (e.g., cause and effect or compare and contrast organizational text structures) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Other
Streeter: Semiotics and Advertising
A slide show that offers a good study of connotation and how it refers to semiotics. Symbols are not the things they represent. L.11-12.5b Nuance
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Imagery and Figurative Language (Grade 6)
This lesson focuses on the use of imagery and figurative language in writing to aid understanding and create images in the mind.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Elements of Poetry
Discover how literary techniques like figurative language, imagery, and symbolism contribute to the overall meaning of a poem. Explore how a poet establishes and builds on a theme and the difference between tone and mood. Through a close...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Literary Elements and Techniques Collection
These animated shorts introduce or review literary elements and techniques like theme, setting, figurative language, characterization, and conflict. They can be used when students are just learning how to identify the most commonly used...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Write Literary Text Using Strategies to Enhance Style & Tone
A learning module that teaches students about using literary devices to enhance style and tone in four lessons: Introduction, Style in Literature, Tone, and Your Turn.
Capital Community College Foundation
Guide to Grammar and Writing: Plague Words and Phrases
"Avoid problems created by these words or phrases." Examples: And also, As to Whether, and lots more.
City University of New York
Cuny Brooklyn: Literary Terms
Site gives definitions of many literary terms including "characterization."
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Characterization
This is a glossary entry for the term "Characterization" including a definition and the characteristics to be developed: Character's appearance, actions, thoughts, voice, and reaction from others.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Personification
This is a glossary entry for the term "Personification" including a defintion and two literary examples.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Simile
This is a glossary entry for the term "Simile" including a definition and examples in a cartoon and in literary works. Links are provided to more information and examples.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Responding to Comparison/contrast: Word Splash Sentences [Pdf]
In this PDF comparison/contrast lesson, students learn a word splash writing activity which asks students to craft meaningful sentences that utilize content vocabulary words. Students-alone or in groups-examine a collection of vocabulary...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Alliterative Insects
In this lesson students develop a story about an insect while utilizing previously written sentences with strong word choice.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: The Backwards Writing Assignment
In this lesson students will create a backwards poem based on descriptive settings and characters.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Death Personified
In this lesson, young scholars will personify an object within a poem. They will focus on voice and word choice in order to fully convey their message.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Figure of Speech
Wikipedia provides a detailed definition of figure of speech, and then includes hyperlinks to different types of figures of speech.
Curated OER
Mc Graw Hill: Analyze Language Choices
Learn about figurative language and how to determine the figurative, denotative, and connotative meanings of words.
Other
Write Design Online: Glossary of Terms
This is a comprehensive glossary of terms pertaining to literature, writing, art, graphic design, and technology.
Emory University
Emory University Writing Center: Ambiguity
Site defines the term ambiguity. Offers explanations of different types of ambiguity, quotes and examples.
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Toronto: Representative Poetry Online
A glossary of literary terms, primarily dealing with poetry, with definitions.
Quia
Quia: Action Verbs
This 26 question quiz has students choose the term that best matches the definition. Java is required.
University of Victoria (Canada)
The U Vic Writer's Guide: Literary & Rhetorical Terms
A comprehensive list of literary terms from the University of Victoria that will give students definitions and examples of how they are used. Terms are sorted by category. L.11-12.4d Verify meaning