Adding Pizzazz to Your Writing With Figurative Language!
Students will define, recognize, and practice writing four types of figurative language --simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole -- designed to make their ideas come alive through visualization and emotional appeal.
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursAssessment
CULMINATING ACTIVITY/ASSESSMENT: At the conclusion of the course, participants have the option to download a "Certificate of Achievement" for satisfactorily completing the 55-minute class.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Course Description Course: "Adding Pizzazz to Your Writing With Figurative Language” I am excited to introduce my One-Time Class: "Adding Pizzazz to Your Writing With Figurative Language." Figurative language is when words or phrases have a different meaning than usual. For example, the metaphor, John is a fish in water, conveys the meaning that John is an excellent swimmer, not that he turns into a fish in the water. Most people think of figurative language used in poetry; however, figurative language is in fiction, music, marketing, and daily speech. Writers use figurative language to add pizzazz to ideas by appealing to the five senses and creating mental images for readers. Understanding how figurative language enhances your writing skills is the overall objective of this introductory class. This 55-minute introductory course will focus on four types of figurative language: Simile, Metaphor, Personification, and Hyperbole. Learning activities include a teacher-guided PowerPoint presentation to introduce the meanings and examples of simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. Learners will also engage in two additional teaching activities: (1) "Hyperbole Challenge," where participants will write two things they do each morning and then create hyperboles, and (2) "Finish the Simile," where learners will complete similes and metaphors. (i.e., Silly as a __, Tall like a__.). Learners will identify figurative language in the poem, "Memories are Treasures to Cherish." As a concluding assessment, if time permits, students will identify similes, metaphors, personifications, and hyperboles from a list of ten examples. Learners do not need prior knowledge of the types of figurative language. The class structure is informal and will begin with include a review of basic Zoom instructions, introductions, and communication guidelines. Learners will receive ample opportunities to ask questions and to receive positive feedback. Class materials are available in Outlook Classroom for students to download, print, and review before starting the class.
Learning Goals
After this one-time introductory course, students will be able to do the following:
1. Distinguish the difference between literal and figurative language.
2, Identify examples of figurative language in prose and poetry.
3. Create original similes, metaphors, and hyperboles.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
N/A
Supply List
Pencil, pen, and paper
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello Parents and Students,
Thank you for this opportunity to share information about myself. I am excited about teaching communication classes in the following areas:
1. "Basic Grammar Builds the House! (i.e., period, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, quotation marks, double or single quotation marks, parentheses, brackets, and slash)"
1. "Don’t Let Troublesome Words Trip You Up! (i.e., alternate/alternative; enormousness/enormity; toward/towards; out loud/aloud, and noisome/noisy)"
2. "Adding Pizzazz to Your Writing With Figurative Language!"
3. "Basic APA Writing for Research Writing!"
4. "Strategies for Surviving Your First Year in Middle School."
5. "Black Poets Everyone Should Know."
I am a career educator and administrator with a B.S. degree in English/Journalism, a Masters degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, and a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis.
I worked as a middle/high school English teacher for twenty years in public schools in the Carolinas and Delaware. I also taught (online) Master- level educational courses for Concordia University.
For more than 20 years, I also served as an assistant principal and principal in public schools.
My love of writing inspired me to write and publish ten books and dramatic plays, with two of my dramas performed professionally in New Mexico and North Carolina.
I believe in giving positive feedback to encourage young learners. Written words can be misinterpreted and require extra focus and thought before sharing.
To make my classes fun, I incorporate relevant examples, delightful pictures, and fun stories to enhance the learning experience.
An example of this is in my semi-autobiographical book for children, Life is Like a Tootsie-Roll Lollipop. These stories hold fond memories of my sister and me growing up with family and friends in the South.
In one story, I share a real-life experience about why I strongly believe in sharing good things. Here’s a summary:
Little sisters are well known for getting in the way of older siblings trying to date. I certainly made a point of doing this when my sister's boyfriend came to visit her one Sunday with a big bucket of freshly-picked strawberries.
He looked at me and said the strawberries were mine if I would stop hanging around the two of them. Well, those bright red berries made my mouth water, so I gladly accepted the sweet bribe.
I sat on my back porch and ate strawberries until my little stomach bulged and could hold no more. To say I was sick as a dog would be an understatement because I've never seen a dog as sick as I was over the next few hours!
This experience taught me to say no to invitations to gorge myself with treats. Good things are for sharing!
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$20
per classMeets once
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-6 learners per class
