Vivid Voices Slides
Novel Study Preparation
Literary Craft & Analysis
Mastering 5 Essential Literary Devices
Vivid Voices
How authors use simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, and alliteration to bring stories to life.
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
The Author's Palette
Literal vs. Figurative
Literal Language
Words mean exactly what they say. Clear and direct, but flat and ordinary.
Example:
"The night was cold and the wind was loud."
Figurative Language
Words go beyond their literal meaning to paint pictures, create mood, and evoke feelings.
Vivid Upgrade:
"The wind shrieked through the trees like a wounded beast."
Reader's Mission: Notice what the author is describing and decode the mental picture.
DEVICE 1
Simile
Look for: "like" or "as"
What is it?
A comparison between two completely different things using the connecting words "like" or "as".
Novel Excerpt Example:
"Her laugh was as sharp as shattered glass."
Analysis Frame
Use this sentence frame when explaining similes:
The author uses a simile to compare
[her laugh] to [shattered glass],
showing that her tone was [harsh and painful to hear].
Check: If you remove "like/as", does it still compare two things?
Key Clue: Similes build a bridge between two unlike nouns using connecting words.
DEVICE 2
Metaphor
Direct Statement: A is B
What is it?
A direct comparison stating that one thing IS another thing. It does NOT use "like" or "as".
Novel Excerpt Example:
"The classroom was a buzzing beehive on Friday afternoon."
Analysis Frame
Use this sentence frame when explaining metaphors:
The author uses a metaphor by stating
[the classroom] is [a buzzing beehive],
emphasizing that students were [busy, loud, and constantly moving].
Difference: Simile says it is LIKE it. Metaphor says it IS it.
Key Clue: Metaphors make an equation: [Thing 1] = [Thing 2].
DEVICE 3
Personification
"Person" is inside the word!
What is it?
Giving human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things (animals, objects, or forces of nature).
Novel Excerpt Example:
"The old floorboards groaned in protest with every step."
Analysis Frame
Use this sentence frame when explaining personification:
The author gives the [floorboards]
the human ability to [groan and protest],
making the house feel [ancient, strained, and unwelcoming].
Ask: Can wood actually complain? No, that's human behavior!
Key Clue: Verbs and feelings that only living people normally do.
DEVICE 4
Onomatopoeia
Sound Effect Words
What is it?
Words that imitate the real-world sound they describe. When you read them out loud, they sound like the noise!
Novel Excerpt Example:
"A heavy branch snapped, followed by the soft crunch of footsteps."
Analysis Frame
Use this sentence frame when explaining sound words:
The author uses onomatopoeia with the word
["snapped" / "crunch"],
allowing the reader to hear [the sudden break and sneaking danger].
Words like: whisper, sizzle, clatter, bang, rustle, thud, hiss.
Key Clue: Sensory words that trigger our sense of hearing immediately.
DEVICE 5
Alliteration
Repeating Sound Rhythm
What is it?
The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in two or more nearby words. (Remember: It's the sound, not the spelling!)
Novel Excerpt Example:
"The shadows slipped silently across the sand."
Analysis Frame
Use this sentence frame when explaining alliteration:
The repeating [/s/] sound creates a
[hushing, stealthy] rhythm,
which enhances the feeling of [suspense and secrecy].
Sounds create mood: "s" sounds stealthy, "b/d" sounds violent.
Key Clue: Focus on the starting sound when spoken aloud.
Device Quick Decoder
Keep This in Mind During Novel Reading
Device
Simile
Compare 2 things
Uses "like" or "as"
"Quiet as a shadow"
Device
Metaphor
Direct equate
"Thing A is Thing B"
"Her eyes were embers"
Device
Personify
Human traits
To non-human things
"The fire danced"
Device
Sound
Noise mimic
Sounds like its word
"Sizzle, boom, screech"
Device
Alliterate
Sound pattern
Same initial consonant
"Crisp cool calm breeze"
Sentence Formula: The author uses [Device] to describe [Subject] by [Explanation], emphasizing that [Effect/Meaning].
Can You Spot the Device?
Turn & Talk Practice
Passage 1
"The clock ticked anxiously on the mantelpiece, watching our every move."
Which device?
Personification
Clue: Clocks cannot be anxious or watch people.
Passage 2
"His sudden anger was a wildfire, consuming everything in its path."
Which device?
Metaphor
Clue: Directly equates anger to a wildfire (no like/as).
Passage 3
"The kettle whistled while boiling bubbles burst in the pot."
Which device?
Allit. + Onom.
Clue: Repeating "b" sounds + "whistled".
Notice how writers often weave multiple devices together in a single sentence!
Your Novel Investigation
Independent & Partner Mission
Time to Crack Open the Novel
As you read today's chapter, keep your highlighter or pencil ready. Look for the 5 figurative footprints left by the author!
1. Spot
Highlight or underline figurative lines in the text.
2. Classify
Name the device using our color-coded badges.
3. Explain
Use your sentence frames to unpack the deeper meaning.
Turn to your practice worksheet now Vivid Voices Investigator Toolkit
Vivid Voices Worksheet
Figurative Language Practice
Vivid Voices Worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Class / Period: _____________________________
Device Bank:
Simile Metaphor Personification Onomatopoeia Alliteration
1 Match the Device to Its Clue
Write the letter (A–E) in the blank
1. Simile
A. Gives human traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things
2. Metaphor
B. Words that imitate real-world sounds (buzz, snap, clatter)
3. Personification
C. Compares two things directly by stating one thing is another
4. Onomatopoeia
D. Compares two different things using the words like or as
5. Alliteration
E. Repeats the same starting consonant sound in nearby words
2 Identify the Device in Each Sentence
Choose from the Device Bank above
1. "The classroom was as quiet as a graveyard during the test."
Circle clue word(s): as / like / quiet Device: _____________________________
2. "The bright morning sun smiled down warmly on the sleepy camp."
Circle clue word(s): smiled / camp / bright Device: _____________________________
3. "Her heart was an ice cube after hearing the cruel rumor."
Identifies: [Heart] = [Ice Cube] Device: _____________________________
4. "The campfire sizzled and popped when water splashed on the logs."
Circle clue word(s): sizzled / popped Device: _____________________________
5. "Five frantic frogs flipped frantically off the floating log."
Circle repeating sound: /f/ sound Device: _____________________________
Turn over to Page 2 for Sentence Frames & Reading Passage Page 1 of 2
Analysis & Application
Sentence Frames & Passage Hunt
Guided & Passage Practice
Word Bank for Explaining Meaning:
lonely frightening comforting angry mysterious fast chaotic
3 Fill in the Sentence Frames
Complete each explanation frame
A. "The hallway was as dark as a coal mine."
The author uses a simile to compare ________________________ to ________________________, showing that the hallway feels ________________________________________________.
Vivid Voices Guided Notes
Slide Companion Handout
Vivid Voices: Guided Notes
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
Class / Period: _____________________________
Slide 2
The Big Picture: Literal vs. Figurative Language
Literal Language:
Words mean ________________________ what they say. It is direct and factual.
Figurative Language:
Words go beyond literal meaning to paint ________________________ and evoke feelings.
Slide 3
Device 1: Simile
Clue: "like" or "as"
Definition: A comparison between two different things using the connector words "____________________" or "____________________".
Slide Example: "Her laugh was as sharp as ________________________________________."
Simile Analysis Frame: The author uses a simile to compare [ ________________________ ] to [ ________________________ ], showing that ________________________________________________.
Slide 4
Device 2: Metaphor
Formula: [ A ] = [ B ]
Definition: A direct comparison stating that one thing ____________________ another thing. It does NOT use "like" or "as".
Slide Example: "The classroom was a ________________________________________ on Friday afternoon."
Metaphor Analysis Frame: The author uses a metaphor by stating [ ________________________ ] is [ ________________________ ], emphasizing that ________________________________________________.
Follow along with your teacher's slides Page 1 of 2
Slide Companion Handout
Devices 3–5 & Guided Check
Keep your pencil moving as slides change
Slide 5
Device 3: Personification
Trick: "PERSON" is inside
Definition: Giving ________________________ traits, emotions, or actions to non-human things.
Slide Example: "The floorboards ________________________ with every step."
Analysis Frame: The author gives the [ object ] the human ability to [ action ], making it feel ________________________.
Slide 6
Device 4: Onomatopoeia
Sound Effect Words
Definition: Words that ________________________ the real-world sound they describe.
