Figurative Language English

Course Overview and Learning Objectives

• Instructor: Mr. Gojko Ostojic

• Subject: Year 7 English

• Primary Learning Objective: Students will use figurative language deliberately to create mood and atmosphere in descriptive writing.

• Success Criteria:

  • I can use figurative language correctly.

  • I can create a clear mood in my writing.

  • I can explain why I used certain figurative language.

Strengthening Sentences through Figurative Language

The following examples demonstrate the transformation of simple, declarative sentences into evocative descriptions by applying figurative techniques.

The Base Sentences:

• "The storm was strong. The wind was loud. The trees moved a lot."

Level 1 Improvement:

• "The storm was strong, like a giant shaking the sky. The wind howled loudly and the trees swayed from side to side."

Level 2 Improvement:

• "The storm raged like an angry beast, tearing through the sky. The wind screamed past my ears, and the trees bowed helplessly beneath its force."

Level 3 Improvement (Advanced):

• "The storm unleashed its fury, clawing at the rooftops and devouring the silence. The wind shrieked like a warning siren, while the trees writhed as though trapped in an invisible battle."

Model Paragraph Analysis

The Model Text: "The door had been locked for years, guarding its secrets like a jealous dragon. Dust suffocated its surface, and the handle trembled in my grasp as if it feared what waited beyond. The silence pressed against me, heavy and watchful. Shadows pooled at my feet like spilled ink, creeping closer with every shallow breath I took. The air tasted stale, thick with forgotten memories, and the walls seemed to whisper warnings I could not quite understand. For a moment, even my heartbeat felt too loud, a reckless drum daring to disturb whatever slept on the other side."

Analytical Focus Points:

• Identification: Pinpoint specific types of figurative language used (e.g., similes, personification, metaphors).

• Mood: Determine the specific atmosphere created by the word choices.

• Effect: Evaluate how the description impacts the reader's emotions and expectations.

• Authorial Intent: Explain the rationale behind choosing specific literary devices for this scene.

Descriptive Writing Task: The Locked Door

Prompt: "The door had been locked for years."

Mandatory Requirements:

• Figurative Techniques: Incorporate at least 4 different types (e.g., simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole).

• Mood Consistency: Establish and maintain a clear emotional tone, such as fear, mystery, excitement, sadness, or tension.

• Sensory Details: Integrate specific sights, sounds, textures, smells, or tastes to ground the description.

• Lexical Choice: Demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary; avoid simplistic descriptors like "very," "really," "big," or "scary."

• Sentence Variance: Use a mixture of short, punchy sentences to generate tension and longer, flowing sentences for detailed description.

• Avoidance of Clichés: Do not use overused phrases like "as cold as ice" or "heart pounding like a drum" unless they are creatively adapted.

• Scope: Focus strictly on describing a specific moment. This is a descriptive exercise, not a full narrative or story.

• Labeling: Every instance of figurative language must be underlined and labeled within the text.

Scene Construction and Structure

Students are required to expand their initial prompt into a short, three-paragraph scene. Figurative language should be used selectively for maximum impact rather than appearing in every single sentence.

• Paragraph 1: Outside the Door

  • Objective: Build tension and establish the atmosphere before the action begins.

• Paragraph 2: Opening the Door

  • Objective: Describe the sensory experience of the movement—sounds, physical resistance, and the character's immediate reactions.

• Paragraph 3: Inside the Room

  • Objective: Reveal the contents of the room, aiming for an unexpected or surprising discovery.