Figurative Language/Literary Devices
Even after reading the directions a thousand times, the ancient vending machine refused to surrender its treasure.
Hyperbole
Free verse
A story that is made up, or not true.
Fiction
This organizational pattern tells the order in which events happen. Ex: First, next, then, and finally
Sequence or Process
Infer: 'Troy stuttered, blushed and shook as he addressed the crowd.'
Troy is nervous.
I'm going to have to bite the bullet and show my mom my report card.
Idiom
This type of poem is known for being funny and whimsical. It consists of 5 lines and has an AABBA rhyme scheme.
Limerick
A true story written about yourself about one particular time in your life.
Memoir
This organizational pattern tells how two items are similar and different. Ex: Bob and Bill both have talents in basketball, but Bob has more talent in baseball than Bill.
Compare and Contrast
Infer: The sun was low in the sky. Kay's body ached. Blisters had formed on her hands. She set the rake down on the big pile of leaves and headed for home.
Kay worked for a long time.
As the final moments of the game ticked away, the stadium was filled with a deafening silence, as the fans anxiously waited for the referee’s decision on the controversial play.
Oxymoron
Haiku
A story that took place in Germany during WWII with made up characters.
Historical Fiction
This organizational pattern states the action that caused a result. Ex: Since Joe studied for his math test, he earned an 'A'.
Cause and Effect
Infer: 'This is my last cigarette,' Hal said for the millionth time.
Hal has tried to quit many times.
After hours of researching the history of ancient civilizations, I realized I had gone down the rabbit hole and was now reading about obscure lost languages no one had spoken in centuries.
Allusion
A four line stanza
Quatrain
A story about someone's trip to Mars and their encounter with aliens.
Science Fiction
This organizational pattern states a problem and then lists one or more solutions to that problem.
Problem and solution
Infer: Joyce straightened the tablecloth and turned the crystal vase so that it caught the light of the setting sun. She placed two wine glasses on the table, dimmed the lights and lit the candles. Dinner was in the oven. All that was left to do was wait. She checked her hair in the mirror one last time and sat down on the couch.
Joyce is waiting on a date to arrive for dinner.
The golden hues of the setting sun spilled across the sky, painting the clouds in shades of pink and orange, while the cool evening breeze blew through the tall grass, carrying the scent of fresh earth.
Imagery
This type of poem is typically lengthy, often written using quatrains, and tells a story (narrative in nature).
Ballad
Pecos Bill was raised by coyotes, used a rattle snake as a lasso, and could shoot the stars out of the sky.
Tall Tale
This organizational pattern groups ideas based on their shared characteristics. Ex: An article describes four types of social media platforms: photo sharing, video streaming, messaging apps, blogs.
Classification
Infer: Naomi locked the front door, then checked it again. She pulled the curtains closed, turned off all the lights, and tiptoed to the back window. The street outside was empty, but she didn’t relax.
Naomi is scared.