Personification

Figurative Language Awards Ceremony

Students explore books rich in figurative language and nominate their favorite examples of
similes, metaphors, and personification for a figurative language award. Once nominations are
in, the class votes, selecting a winning example in each category. Finally, students are
challenged to write an acceptance speech for one of the winners, using as many literary
devices (simile, metaphor, personification) as they can in their speech. Designed for grades 3-
5.
Personificiation
An activity on personification for elementary students. This 2-page handout requires Adobe
Reader for access.
Personification
3 different practice activities. Students can complete them online or can print them out as
worksheets.
Personification Examples
Definition and 50 examples.
Other
Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe
10 quotations drawn from stories and poems. Students identify metaphor, simile,
personification, or hyperbole. Answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed
online.
Figurative Language of O. Henry
23 quotations from various stories. Students identify figures of speech. 4 pages; answers
available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language of Shakespeare
23 quotations from various plays. Students identify metaphor, simile, personification, or
hyperbole. 3 pages; answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language Poems with Questions
Questions for analysis and answer keys for 9 different poems. Designed for middle school and
above. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language: Teaching Idioms
In this lesson, students explore figurative language with a focus on the literal versus the
metaphorical translations of idioms. Through read-alouds, teacher modeling, and student-
centered activities that are presented in the classroom, students will further develop their
understanding of figurative language. Designed for grades 3-5.
Figures of Speech
A list of common figures of speech and other literary devices with examples.
Hyperbole Examples
50 examples.
Hyperbole
This 3-page handout provides a very short story. Elementary students identify the examples of
hyperbole in it.
Metonymy
Examples of metonymy drawn from rap music, literature, and current events.
Onomatopoeia: A Figurative Language Minilesson
Students are introduced to the literary device of onomatopoeia and explore how the technique
adds to a writer's message. Students brainstorm a list of onomatopoeic words and then find
examples of the technique in Edgar Allan Poe s poem, "The Bells." Once they find examples,
students reflect on how the onomatopoeic words add to the poem and the writer's message.
They then apply their knowledge of the technique by choosing sound words in response to
sounds they hear in an online tool. Following the lesson, students can look for additional
examples of the literary device in their reading or look for places to add onomatopoeia to their
writing.
What am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles
An introduction to poetry via metaphor, simile, metonymy, concrete imagery, and creativity.
Onomatopoeia Examples
From "ball" to "zoom," 101 examples of onomatopoeia.

Metaphor Lesson Plans

Lesson plans on similes and other figurative
language are also available.

The art of the metaphor

How do metaphors help us better understand the world? And, what makes a good metaphor?
Explore these questions with writers like Langston Hughes and Carl Sandburg, who have
mastered the art of bringing a scene or emotion to life. This TED-ED video (5:39) is captioned
and includes follow-up questions and other support.
Extended Metaphor
This lesson uses the Billy Collins poem "Clich" (text of poem included) to explore extended
metaphor. Follow the link to the activity on the student handout.
Extended Metaphor: Will Ferrell
Examples of extended metaphor drawn from literature. Don't miss the clip of Will Ferrell
describing his education in the School of Hard Knocks (school-appropriate).
Figurative Language Awards Ceremony
Students explore books rich in figurative language and nominate their favorite examples of
similes, metaphors, and personification for a figurative language award. Once nominations are
in, the class votes, selecting a winning example in each category. Finally, students are
challenged to write an acceptance speech for one of the winners, using as many literary
devices (simile, metaphor, personification) as they can in their speech. Designed for grades 3-
5.
Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe
10 quotations drawn from stories and poems. Students identify metaphor, simile,
personification, or hyperbole. Answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed
online.
Figurative Language of O. Henry
23 quotations from various stories. Students identify figures of speech. 4 pages; answers
available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language of Shakespeare
23 quotations from various plays. Students identify metaphor, simile, personification, or
hyperbole. 3 pages; answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language Poems with Questions
Questions for analysis and answer keys for 9 different poems. Designed for middle school and
above. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language: Teaching Idioms
In this lesson, students explore figurative language with a focus on the literal versus the
metaphorical translations of idioms. Through read-alouds, teacher modeling, and student-
centered activities that are presented in the classroom, students will further develop their
understanding of figurative language. Designed for grades 3-5.
Figuratively Speaking: Exploring How Metaphors Make Meaning
Students investigate common metaphors in poetry and song, analyze the use of metaphors in
a variety of short texts, and explore the metaphors in use throughout their daily life. This lesson
is designed for high school students. It might be appropriate for middle school with some
modification.
Four Metaphor Poetry
This writing activity stresses the skillful creation of metaphors. It is designed to
accompany Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox.
"The Litany"
In this YouTube video (4:10), Billy Collins discusses his inspiration for this humorous poem
before reading it. Consider including in a lesson on metaphor. Grade 9 and older.
Introducing Metaphors Through Poetry
Students read excerpts from the work of Langston Hughes, Margaret Atwood, and Naomi
Shihab Nye in order to gain a deeper understanding of metaphors.
A matter of identity: Writing an extended metaphor poem
Students apply their knowledge of literary devices by reading and analyzing the poem "Identity"
by Julio Noboa Polanco. Students then create their own poem incorporating the literary devices
studied and analyzed in the poem. This lesson includes modifications for a Novice Low Limited
English student.
Metaphor Examples
50 examples for middle and high school.
Unique Metaphor Collections
Inspired by the first chapter of the novel Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, students
will discover metaphors in their world and reading and create their own unique metaphorical
descriptions for a collection they devote a page to in their writers notebooks or their journals.
Once a collection of unique metaphors has been built in the writers notebook, teachers can
challenge students to create a longer piece of writing (poem, narrative, reflection, etc.) that is
inspired by one or several of their metaphors.
"A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore
Printable handout: text of the poem and check for similes and metaphors. Includes answer key.
What am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles
An introduction to poetry via metaphor, simile, metonymy, concrete imagery, and creativity.
Writing about Writing: An Extended Metaphor Assignment
This lesson uses Richard Wilbur's poem "The Writer" to encourage students to develop an
extended metaphor describing themselves as writers.

Simile Lesson Plans

Lesson plans on metaphors and other figurative
languageare also available.

Figurative Language Awards Ceremony

Students explore books rich in figurative language and nominate their favorite examples of
similes, metaphors, and personification for a figurative language award. Once nominations are
in, the class votes, selecting a winning example in each category. Finally, students are
challenged to write an acceptance speech for one of the winners, using as many literary
devices (simile, metaphor, personification) as they can in their speech. Designed for grades 3-
5.
Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe
10 quotations drawn from stories and poems. Students identify metaphor, simile,
personification, or hyperbole. Answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed
online.
Figurative Language of O. Henry
23 quotations from various stories. Students identify figures of speech. 4 pages; answers
available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language of Shakespeare
23 quotations from various plays. Students identify metaphor, simile, personification, or
hyperbole. 3 pages; answers available. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative Language Poems with Questions
Questions for analysis and answer keys for 9 different poems. Designed for middle school and
above. Can be printed as worksheets or completed online.
Figurative language: Similes
Students will define and identify similes as well as evaluate the use of similes in the poem "The
Base Stealer" by Robert Francis. This lesson is designed for grade 3.
Homeric Simile Examples
Definition, examples, and a link to a video that raps The Odyssey.
Rap Simile Activity
Students create their own similes, and then the class will have to guess whether similes were
written by a famous rapper or their classmate. Includes a list of school-appropriate rap similes
and their authors.
Recognizing Similes: Fast as a Whip
Students read excerpts from the work of Robert Frost, William Wordsworth and Toi Derricotte
in order to gain an understanding of similes.
Simile Examples
Definition and 50 examples.
Similes
In this activity elementary students generate 5 similes and then illustrate their favorite. This
printable handout requires Adobe Reader for access.
"A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore
Printable handout: text of the poem and check for similes and metaphors. Includes answer key.
What am I? Teaching Poetry through Riddles
An introduction to poetry via metaphor, simile, metonymy, concrete imagery, and creativity.