Figurative Language
Identify the figurative device: "The classroom was a zoo". - name the device and briefly explain why.
What is a metaphor?
Define "theme" in one sentence.
Theme is the central message or underlying idea the author wants to convey about life or human nature.
Define "rhetorical device" in one sentence and give one example (e.g., repetition).
A rhetorical device is a technique an author uses to persuade or inform (e.g., repetition). Example: Repeating a phrase to emphasize a point.
Name two common points of view in fiction (first, third limited, third omniscient, etc.).
First-person and third-person (limited and omniscient).
Define "stanza" and "line" in a poem.
A line is a single row of words in a poem. A stanza is a grouped set of lines (like a paragraph in prose) separated by a space.
Give an example of onomatopoeia and explain how it adds to a sentence's meaning.
example: Bang, Splat, hiss, purr
What is characterization? Name two methods an author uses to develop a character.
Characterization is how authors develop characters. Methods: direct characterization (author/narrator states traits) and indirect characterization (character's actions, dialogue, thoughts, appearance, and other characters' reactions).
Identify the persuasive technique: "If we don’t act now, our children will suffer." Name the technique and why it might persuade readers.
Technique: Appeal to pathos (emotional appeal — fear for future generations). It persuades by creating urgency and emotional concern.
Explain how first-person narration affects what the reader knows compared to third-person omniscient.
First-person gives readers access only to the narrator’s thoughts and experiences (limited, subjective). Third-person omniscient can reveal all characters’ thoughts and broader context, offering a more complete picture.
What is rhyme scheme? Identify the rhyme scheme of these lines: "The moon so bright / Guides dreams at night / The trees stand tall / Shadows fall."
Lines 1 and 2 rhyme (bright/night = A, A). Lines 3 and 4 rhyme (tall/fall = B, B). Rhyme scheme: A A B B.
Read this sentence: "Her smile was sunshine breaking through clouds." Which two figurative devices are present and how do they affect tone?
Metaphor ("Her smile was sunshine") and imagery (sensory language describing brightness/warmth). Effect on tone: creates a warm, hopeful, uplifting tone.
Identify the basic parts of plot (list the five common elements).
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution (or Denouement).
Explain how diction (word choice) can change the strength of an argument; give a short example replacing a mild word with a stronger synonym.
Stronger/more precise words make arguments more convincing or urgent. Example: Replace "help" with "transform" — "This program will help students" vs. "This program will transform students' futures." The stronger word increases perceived impact.
Identify the narrator type: A narrator who knows every character’s thoughts is called ______. Explain one classroom-era example of how this knowledge changes the story’s presentation.
Third-person omniscient. Classroom example: In a story where the narrator explains multiple characters' motives, readers understand conflicts from many angles rather than just one character's view.
Explain how rhythm or meter affects the mood of a poem. Give a one-sentence example.
A steady, regular meter (e.g., iambic) can create a calm or formal mood; a quick, irregular rhythm can create excitement or tension. Example: A fast cadence with short lines speeds the pace and heightens urgency.
Explain how figurative language (like metaphor or personification) can reveal a character’s feelings without directly stating them. Provide a short example sentence (1–2 lines) that illustrates this.
Figurative language lets writers show emotions indirectly by comparing feelings to vivid images or personifying objects, which helps readers infer the character’s inner state. Example sentence: "Grief wrapped him like a heavy coat he couldn't remove." (Shows sorrow without saying "he was sad".)
Given a short scene (2–3 sentences), identify one conflict type (character vs. character, self, society, nature, technology) and justify your choice.
Describe the difference between ethos, pathos, and logos with a one-sentence example for each.
Given a brief passage written in first person, rewrite one sentence in third-person limited and explain how the change affects the reader’s understanding of the narrator’s reliability.
Identify two poetic devices (e.g., imagery, alliteration, metaphor) in a short four-line poem and explain their effect on meaning.
Analyze a short passage (2–3 sentences) and explain how the author’s use of multiple figurative devices builds theme. (Students must identify devices, explain their cumulative effect, and connect to a theme.)
Choose a protagonist from a familiar novel or story. Analyze how setting, conflict, and character traits combine to shape that character’s growth across the story. Use two pieces of text-based evidence.
Read a short persuasive paragraph. Identify two rhetorical strategies used, analyze how they support the claim, and evaluate which strategy is most effective for the intended audience and why.
Analyze how an unreliable narrator changes the interpretation of events in a story. Provide one example (real or hypothetical) where narrator unreliability forces readers to re-evaluate the plot or character motives.
Read a short poem (4–8 lines). Analyze how form (line breaks, stanza length, rhyme) and figurative language contribute to the poem’s theme and emotional impact. Include at least two specific textual examples in your analysis.