Common Core Standards Figurative Language in The Concept: Symbolism/Figurative Language Primary Subject Area: English Secondary Subject Areas: n/a Common Core Standards Addressed: Book: The Lesson Type: Figurative Language Grades 9-10 Grades 11-12 Key Ideas and Details Key Ideas and Details o Determine symbolism in a text and analyze in detail its development throughout the text, including how it emerges and is shaped by specific details of the plot o Determine symbolism in a text and analyze in detail its development throughout the text, including how it emerges and is shaped by specific details of the plot Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Common Core Standards 1
Figurative Language in The Lesson Plan Book: The Overview: This class will examine Carolyn Parkhurst s use of figurative language in The. Objectives: Students will be able to: Define terms such as analogy, metaphor, and simile, and identify instances of each one in the text Discuss the metaphorical relationship between Octavia s novels and the active story of Octavia and Milo Hypothesize why Carolyn Parkhurst use these literary techniques in her novel. Materials: Novel Writing utensils Other Resources: Handout Key Vocabulary Discussion/Comprehension Questions Warm-Up Activity: Divide students into groups and ask them to define the terms by writing examples of analogy, metaphor, and simile. Ask students to write their examples on the board. Go over examples as a group and confirm that each is a correct example of the term. Short Lecture & Partner Activities: Discuss the ways writers employ analogies, specifically metaphors and similes. You may wish to define these terms Analogy: Similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison made be based. Metaphor: Figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common Simile: Figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, usually in a quote introduced by like or as Give students provided handout and ask them to identify the types of figurative language. Hypothesize as a class the broader meaning of Octavia s words, as they apply to her own life. Metaphorical framework o Relationship between Parkhurst s active story and Octavia s novels within the book o Octavia s novels are metaphorically about herself her characters containing specific elements unique to her. o Novels are metaphors for her relationship with Milo Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Lesson Plan 2
Lesson Plan Figurative Language in The Discussion Wrap-Up: reveal more about the mystery of why they are estranged Book: The Why does Parkhurst choose to use metaphoric language? What does this add to the novel? How does analogical language help the reader better understand? Why are these literary techniques important? Writing Activities/Evaluations: Analytical: Parkhurst examines the role of an author s own psyche in his or her own work. How are elements of Octavia dispersed within her novels? Do Octavia s characters represent Octavia herself? Does she succeed in keeping her personal life personal? Is it possible for an author to maintain a personal life not reflected in their work? Creative: Write a 7-10 sentence mystery about a topic of your choice. Ask students to include one analogy, metaphor, and/or simile. Students should be prepared to share their story as well as demonstrate their command of metaphorical writing. Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Lesson Plan 3
Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Discussion & Comprehension Questions 4 Discussion & Comprehension Questions Figurative Language in The Book: The In what way does Octavia write herself and her family members into her novels? What about Milo in his lyrics? Why does Octavia feel the need to use figurative language? How does figurative language strengthen Octavia s work? What about Parkhurst s? Or does it make the novel stronger at all? Why does Parkhurst structure The as a novel within a novel? Is Octavia fundamentally a more private or more public person? Do her rules of privacy work? How is being a writer like being a detective? What about being a reader? How can figurative language operate as a kind of code?
Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Key Vocabulary 5 Key Vocabulary Figurative Language in The Word: Analogy Definition: Book: The Similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison made be based Metaphor Simile Miraculous Shattered Coaxed Crucial Discerned Figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common Figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, usually in a quote introduced by like or as Marvelous; surprising Broken into many small pieces Convinced Vital, necessary Detected, found
Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Text References 6 Text References Figurative Language in The Book: The But when you buy a car new off the lot, it s no surprise that it runs when you turn the key. The unexpected thing, the miraculous thing, is when a car that s been shattered in a crash, that s been left in the rain to rust for years at a time, can be coaxed to growl to a start and slowly begin rolling down the street. (P. 133). The life experience of a fiction writer is like butter in cookie dough; it s a crucial part of flavor and texture you certainly couldn t leave it out but if you ve done it right, it can t be discerned as a separate element. (P. 141). We each have one mind to tap, one life to learn from. We re fairy-tale emperors, all of us: we re naked, but we have you convinced we re dressed in the richest silks. (P.156) In my mind I m plotting a murder. I don t have any idea if it s the right one, the one that actually happened, but in the early stages of conception, it s important to reserve judgment and let the story take you where it will. (P. 302)
Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Class Handout Title Field: Class Handout Name: Examine these two excerpts and identify what kind of figurative language is represented. Underneath, jot down how each excerpt applies to Octavia personally. The life experience of a fiction writer is like butter in cookie dough; it s a crucial part of flavor and texture you certainly couldn t leave it out but if you ve done it right, it can t be discerned as a separate element. (141). But when you buy a car new off the lot, it s no surprise that it runs when you turn the key. The unexpected thing, the miraculous thing, is when a car that s been shattered in a crash, that s been left in the rain to rust for years at a time, can be coaxed to growl to a start and slowly begin rolling down the street. (p. 133).
Footer-Title Field (double-click to edit): Supplementary Materials Chart Title Field: Supplementary Materials Chart Category of Resource Worksheet Articles Description of Resource Practice with simile vs. metaphor Review of The Potential Educational Uses of Resource In case students need to review the terms or are struggling with them Talk about the novel as a mystery and figurative language as clues Link to Resource "##$%&&'''($)*+,)-)./01)2./(20(13&.456*/"&789+.#("#+ "##$%&&'''(4-#*+./(20+&:;<;&;=&<<&>003/&).?*.'&@2"*66*45.)A #("#+6B$,5.',4#.CD,66