This section focuses on the rhythms and patterns writers build into their words so readers can appreciate not just what a text says, but how it sounds. The elements of poetry and poetic devices like alliteration, assonance, consonance, rhyme, rhythm, and onomatopoeia all help to make the language in poetry memorable. Overviews and Tutorials Poetry […]
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Figurative language enables authors to turn plain sentences into vivid, emotional, and memorable descriptions. In this section, we’ll explore common types of figurative language, such as metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, idioms, symbolism, allusion, and imagery. Each element works together to add depth and color to both reading and writing. Overviews and Tutorials Imagery Video (with
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Analyzing an author’s language and word choice within a story is another interesting area for literary analysis. The words an author selects significantly influence the mood of a scene, reveal character traits, and shape the reader’s perception of a story. By understanding things like diction, tone, style, and voice, readers can improve their comprehension and
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Characters and setting work together to pull readers into the world of a story. A clever plot may keep us turning pages, but it’s the people (or creatures!) we care about, and the world they live in, that contribute to making a story compelling. Characters come alive through their actions, dialogue, and choices. They can
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I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree…. Thus began an impromptu game at the dinner table one night, spurred by a conversation we were having about poetry. I don’t remember what started that conversation. It might have had something to do with a college class my oldest daughter is
Sentient candies who revolt against their Maker. The real reason the Titanic sank — (did somebody say zombies)? What do these have in common? Why, the makings of a great story, of course. If you’re studying literary elements with your kids, reading short stories can provide a clear view of the whole “narrative arc” in
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