ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Building Word Knowledge Through Informational Websites
A instructional activity through which students identify, understand and work with important vocabulary words found in an online article on biodiversity. Based on the "Ten Important Words Plus" strategy that teachers can employ as part...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Common Words With Multiple Meanings
This lesson explains common words with multiple meanings: some similar and some very different meanings and the impact of parts of speech on meaning. It discusses six common words with their multiple meanings and different parts of...
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.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Extended Metaphor
This slideshow focuses on the extended metaphor including defining it, stating its purpose, showing the difference between a metaphor and an extended metaphor, and providing a literary example -- Shakespeare's "As You Like It"-- with...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Grammar Basics: Metaphors
This tutorial focuses on metaphors using a PowerPoint presentation which offers definitions, examples, and various types of metaphors, as well as, similes for comparison. It provides two YouTube videos: the first includes popular songs...
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Onomatopoeia
This slideshow lesson focuses on the literary device onomatopoeia; it defines it and explains its purpose. It provides a list of word examples and examples used in sentences.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Analogy
This slideshow focuses on analogy including defining it, discussing its purpose, and providing two literary examples. W.11-12.2d Lang/Fig/Voc
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
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Exploring the Power of Allusion
Something seems familiar here: Students learn how allusion invites more into a text. Using "The House On Mango Street" students will learn about allusion by paralleling events from both the Bible and from Greek mythology.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Literary Terminology: Practice 5 (English I Reading)
[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] To be "in the know" in literature, you need to know the terminology used to describe, interpret, and analyze poetry, drama, and fiction. As you proceed through the sections...
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: Understanding and Analysis of Literary Text: Allusion
A learning module that teaches students about allusion as a literary device in five mini-lessons: Introduction, Allusion Defined, Allusion in Speeches, Allusion in Writing, Test Your Understanding.
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): Foreshadowing
This is a glossary entry for the term "Foreshadowing" including a definition, examples, and a link to more information.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Analogy
This is a glossary entry for the term "Analogy" including the definition, an example, and links to more information.
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): Metaphor
This is a glossary entry for the term "Metaphor" including a definition and links to simile, personification, hyperbole, anology, and other figures of speech.
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: Death Personified
In this lesson, students 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.
Other
Spelling police.com: Allegory
Informational site that provides the definition for and examples of allegory.
Other
Spelling police.com: Literary Devices
A simple list of literary terms. Click on each for a definition and examples.
Emory University
Emory University Writing Center: Ambiguity
Site defines the term ambiguity. Offers explanations of different types of ambiguity, quotes and examples.