Identify the Device
“The classroom was as quiet as a mouse.”
Simile
“He has a heart of gold.”
He is kind and caring.
“The alarm clock screamed at her from across the room.”
To emphasize how loud or annoying the alarm felt.
“The hallway was as silent as a tomb during the test.”
Identify the figurative language used.
Simile
True or False: A paragraph should have at least one topic sentence.
True
“The wind whispered through the trees.”
Personification
“She felt like she was walking on air after hearing the news.”
She felt very happy or excited.
“The storm pounded against the house all night.”
To create a tense or dramatic mood.
“The sun smiled down on the students as they walked outside.” Identify the figurative language and explain its effect.
Personification; it creates a warm, pleasant mood.
Which part of speech describes an action: noun, verb, or adjective?
Verb
“I’ve told you a million times to bring your notebook.”
Hyperbole
“The homework was a mountain standing in her way.”
The homework felt overwhelming or difficult.
“He stood alone, a shadow at the edge of the room.”
To show that the character feels isolated or overlooked.
“His backpack was a brick, weighing him down as he walked to class.” Identify the figurative language and explain what it suggests about the backpack.
Metaphor; it suggests the backpack is very heavy and burdensome.
In Regents Part 2, what is the main task you are asked to do with the provided texts?
Write a response analyzing a common idea across the texts using evidence.
“The city was a jungle, full of danger and excitement.”
Metaphor
“His words were knives, cutting deeper than he realized.”
His words were very hurtful or emotionally painful.
“The classroom buzzed like a beehive as the students waited for the results.”
To show excitement and nervous energy in the room.
“The classroom buzzed with energy, pencils tapping, papers rustling, voices whispering.” Identify the figurative language and explain how it contributes to the mood.
Imagery; it creates an energetic and tense mood.
In Regents Part 3, what two things must your essay include to earn strong points?
A clear thesis and strong textual evidence with explanation. (Accept variations: theme/central idea + analysis, evidence + explanation.)
“The golden sunlight spilled across the floor, warming the cold, silent room.”
Imagery
“The classroom was a pressure cooker, ready to explode before the exam.”
The classroom was filled with stress and tension, and emotions were building.
“The future stretched before her like an uncharted road.”
To emphasize uncertainty about the future while suggesting possibility and choice.
“After failing the test, she felt like a ship lost at sea, drifting without direction.” Identify the figurative language and explain how it helps develop a theme.
Simile; it supports the theme of confusion or loss by showing how the character feels directionless and uncertain.
Create your own simile to describe how you feel before a test.
Must use “like” or “as” and make sense.