Terrible Things: Figurative Language Journey
A 5-Day Exploration of Literary Devices Through Eve Bunting's Powerful Allegory
Day 1: What is Figurative Language?
Language that goes beyond literal meaning Creates vivid images and deeper understanding Helps authors express complex ideas Makes writing more engaging and memorable
Day 1 Activity: Literal vs. Figurative
Read the opening of 'Terrible Things' Identify literal statements Find examples of figurative language Discuss the difference in small groups
Day 2: Similes and Metaphors
Similes use 'like' or 'as' to compare Metaphors directly compare two unlike things Both create vivid mental pictures Help readers understand abstract concepts
Day 2: Finding Comparisons in 'Terrible Things'
{"left":"The clearing was silent as death\nFeathers scattered like fallen snow","right":"The Terrible Things were a dark cloud\nHearts heavy as stones"}
Day 3: Symbolism Deep Dive
What do the different animals represent? Why might Bunting have chosen a forest setting? How does symbolism help tell difficult stories?
Day 3: Symbol Mapping
Create a character chart Match each animal to what it represents Identify symbolic objects in the story Explain the significance of each symbol
Day 4: Personification and Imagery
Personification gives human qualities to non-human things Imagery appeals to our five senses Both techniques make abstract ideas concrete Help readers connect emotionally to the text
Day 5: The Power of Figurative Language
'The power of language is that it can make the abstract concrete, the distant close, and the complex simple.' - Unknown
Day 5: Create Your Own Figurative Language
Choose a simple story or experience Rewrite it using at least three types of figurative language Include similes, metaphors, and imagery Share with a partner and explain your choices
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