Device Detectives Presentation Slides
CLASSIFIED CASE FILE: FIGURATIVE DEVICES
STATUS: ACTIVE INVESTIGATION
DEVICE DETECTIVES
Unmasking the Six Elements of Figurative Language
MISSION OBJECTIVE: Analyze six literary "suspects." Identify their hidden patterns, unlock their clues, and generate your own codes to close the case.
INVESTIGATORS
10th Grade English Dept.
SECTOR
Special Education Lab
PRESS SPACE TO ADVANCE
THE LINEUP MEET THE SIX SUSPECTS
VISUAL MAP
🔍
1. SIMILE
Comparisons using like or as.
🧬
2. METAPHOR
Direct comparisons saying one thing is another.
🎭
3. PERSONIFICATION
Giving human actions to objects.
🚀
4. HYPERBOLE
Massive, wild exaggerations.
💥
5. ONOMATOPOEIA
Words that copy a real sound.
🌀
6. ALLITERATION
Repeating the same starting sound.
Let's examine each suspect's unique "fingerprints" step by step!
SUSPECT #1 THE SIMILE
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
🔍
Simile
Compares two completely different things by showing how they share a trait, specifically using the keywords like or as.
Detectives Rule
Look for "LIKE" or "AS" between the two things being compared!
EXHIBIT A: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
"The boxer's hands moved like lightning."
THING 1
Boxer's Hands
CONNECTOR
"LIKE"
THING 2
Lightning
Another Example: "My eyes were as heavy as lead bricks."
DECODING DEVICE 1 OF 6 ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE CONNECTOR KEYWORDS
SUSPECT #2 THE METAPHOR
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
🧬
Metaphor
Compares two completely different things directly. It declares that Thing A actually IS Thing B.
Detectives Rule
No "like" or "as"! Look for direct state verbs: is, was, are, were.
EXHIBIT B: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
"My messy room was a disaster area."
THING 1
Messy Room
DIRECT IS/WAS
"WAS"
THING 2
Disaster Area
Another Example: "The classroom computer is an ancient dinosaur."
DECODING DEVICE 2 OF 6 DIRECT COMPARISON - NO MIDDLEMAN KEYWORDS
CASE CHECK ROUND 1: CHOOSE THE DEVICE
INTERACTIVE RECOVERY
Analyze the Evidence Below
Investigate the sentences. Which clue is which?
EVIDENCE LOCKER A ?
"The dancer's feet were as light as falling feathers."
Device: ______________ Check the indicator word!
EVIDENCE LOCKER B ?
"The dancer was a spinning top on the stage."
Device: ______________ Check the state word!
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Put up 1 finger for Simile, 2 fingers for Metaphor!
SUSPECT #3 THE PERSONIFICATION
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
🎭
Personification
Gives human actions, thoughts, or emotions to things that are not human—like animals, weather, or household objects.
Detectives Rule
Identify the verb or trait. Ask: Can an object actually do that?
EXHIBIT C: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
"My alarm clock screamed at me to wake up."
OBJECT
Alarm Clock
HUMAN ACTION
"SCREAMED"
REALITY
Made a loud buzz
Another Example: "The old floorboards groaned with every step."
DECODING DEVICE 3 OF 6 BREATHING HUMAN LIFE INTO COLD OBJECTS
SUSPECT #4 THE HYPERBOLE
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
🚀
Hyperbole
An extreme, wild exaggeration that cannot possibly be literally true. Used to express strong intensity or humor.
Detectives Rule
Multiply reality by a million. Ask: Is this actually possible in real life?
EXHIBIT D: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
"This heavy backpack weighs a ton!"
OBJECT
School Backpack
CLAIMED WEIGHT
2,000 Lbs!
REAL WEIGHT
Maybe 15 Lbs
Another Example: "I’ve been waiting in this line for an eternity."
DECODING DEVICE 4 OF 6 BLOWING DETAILS OUT OF ALL PROPORTION
CASE CHECK ROUND 2: CHOOSE THE DEVICE
INTERACTIVE RECOVERY
Analyze the Evidence Below
Investigate the sentences. Which clue is which?
EVIDENCE LOCKER C ?
"The wind howled and sang through the stormy skies."
Device: ______________ Can wind sing songs?
EVIDENCE LOCKER D ?
"We walked a million miles trying to find our car."
Device: ______________ Check the extreme count!
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Put up 3 fingers for Personification, 4 fingers for Hyperbole!
SUSPECT #5 THE ONOMATOPOEIA
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
💥
Onomatopoeia
A word that actually mimics or replicates the specific sound that it describes. When you say the word aloud, it sounds like the noise itself!
Detectives Rule
Say it out loud. Does the word sound like the physical action occurring?
EXHIBIT E: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
"The heavy iron door closed with a loud CLANG."
FIZZ
Soda bubble pop
ZAP
Electricity spark
RUSTLE
Dry leaves scraping
Other common examples: splash, bang, roar, hum, drip, rattle, pop.
DECODING DEVICE 5 OF 6 WORDS YOU CAN DIRECTLY HEAR
SUSPECT #6 THE ALLITERATION
STATUS: IDENTIFIED
🌀
Alliteration
The repeating of the same beginning consonant sound across multiple words that are next to or near each other.
Detectives Rule
Look for matching starting letters! Accentuate the rhythm of the starting sounds.
EXHIBIT F: THE CRIME SCENE SENTENCE
Silently, the shadowy suspect slipped away.
S_
Silently
S_
Shadowy
S_
Suspect
S_
Slipped
Tip: It's the starting sound that matters most, not just the identical letter! (e.g., "Katy kissed kids").
DECODING DEVICE 6 OF 6 REPEATING SOUND RHYTHMS
CASE CLOSED READY FOR DEPLOYMENT
SOLVED EVIDENCE
MISSION COMPLETED!
You have successfully identified the unique characteristics of the six suspects. Now, open your Device Detectives Case Files Workbook to test your investigative skills!
1
Tier 1 Practice
Match the exact definitions and color-code the clues.
2
Tier 2 Practice
Hunt down and label figurative devices hidden in real case-file sentences.
3
Tier 3 Practice
Write your own custom "sentences" to build original coded statements.
SOLVE THE CASE FILES BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!
Device Detectives Case Files Worksheets
CONFIDENTIAL // LEVEL 1
FIGURATIVE DEVICE CASE FILES
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION RECORD • GRADE 10 SUPPORTIVE SHEETS
INVESTIGATOR NAME:
DATE OF REPORT:
STATION/PERIOD:
STEP 1
Suspect Code Matchup (Tier 1)
Draw a line from the Figurative Device Suspect to its correct Indicator Clue Definition.
A. SIMILE
B. METAPHOR
C. PERSONIFICATION
D. HYPERBOLE
E. ONOMATOPOEIA
F. ALLITERATION
An extreme, impossible exaggeration (e.g., "weighed a ton").
Giving human-like actions or feelings to non-human objects.
Direct comparison stating Thing A is Thing B (no like/as).
A comparison connecting two things using like or as.
Words that replicate a physical sound (e.g., hiss, crackle).
Repeating the identical starting consonant sound across words.
STEP 2
Indicator Word Spotting (Tier 1.5)
Read each case-file sentence below. Follow the specific instructions to find the indicator keys!
TASK A: SPOT THE SIMILE KEYWORD
"Her notebook was as organized as a microchip."
🔍 Circle the comparison keyword that appears twice above.
TASK B: SPOT THE METAPHOR STATE VERB
"My classroom is a busy beehive during group projects."
🔍 Draw a box around the tiny verb that claims the room "is" something else.
TASK C: SPOT THE PERSONIFICATION HUMAN ACTION
"The heavy clouds wept thick tears across the empty city streets."
🔍 Underline the action word that shows what human action the clouds are doing.
DEVICE DETECTIVES WORKBOOK PAGE 1 OF 3
CONFIDENTIAL // LEVEL 2
EVIDENCE LOCKER ANALYSIS
OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION RECORD • TIER 2 EVIDENCE FILE
STEP 3
Examine the Evidence Sentences (Tier 2)
Examine each written statement found in the crime lockers. Identify the clue words or patterns, and write down the identified figurative device suspect.
LOCK
EVIDENCE SENTENCE FOUND IN CRIME FIELD
CLUE CUES
IDENTIFIED SUSPECT
#01
"The popcorn popped, hissed, and crackled inside the microwave."
#02
