Figures of Speech in Literature

How To Teach Figures of Speech in Literature

Objective:

To familiarize students with various figures of speech in literature, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of literary devices used to convey deeper meanings, evoke emotions, and create vivid imagery in texts.

Introduction to Figures of Speech in Literature

• Define figures of speech as expressive use of language in which words are used in a non-literal sense for rhetorical effect, such as metaphors, similes, personification, hyperbole, and irony.
• Explain how these devices enrich the text, add depth to the narrative, and engage the reader’s imagination and emotions.

Real Life Examples

• Analyze examples of figures of speech from classic and contemporary literature, poetry, and public speeches, illustrating how they enhance meaning and impact.
• Discuss the effect of these literary devices in various genres, from poetry to prose, and how they contribute to the overall theme and tone of a work.

Interactive Activities

• Conduct a ‘Literary Device Hunt' in which students find and discuss examples of different figures of speech in selected texts.
• Organize a creative writing exercise where students compose a short story or poem incorporating multiple figures of speech, practicing their use and understanding of these literary tools.