What is a LITERARY DEVICE?

What is a LITERARY DEVICE? • just a fancier term for the different techniques writers sometimes employ to: • create a mood or atmosphere, • to put across an idea, • to make a point, • to describe a person, a thing, or an event. • It’s a means to really get the reader to understand not only what is happening, and how it is happening, but also what is not happening. • The literary device is just the name given to the technique used by the author to describe the ways/he says what is said.

Tips for Reading Poems & Short Stories • Consider the title • Does this signify a possible main topic, theme, important character, or idea? • What do you already know about that topic? • Read it through once • Try to identify the general topic or what you think it might be about • What do you already know about that topic? • Identify unknown words or phrases • Look them up • Reread the sections they came from to see if they are any clearer • Look for literary devices • What devices do I see? • What do these tell me about the poem/story? • Reread the poem/story • Does it make more sense to me? • Does it mean more to me?

Let’s try together The Sun is Burning Gases Cathleen McFarland

“The Sun is Burning Gases” by Cathleen McFarland I was young when 17 was a number too high to count the sun was the miracle spinning sorcerer that melted my crayons into bright wax rivers. A golden-skinned princess lived there nightly in my mind, when start and moon were marginal connect-the-dots, different every time – beyond the realms of man. Now I’m 17 and even infinity is a place I can define. Man has touched the moon – now stretching to the stars. I know the sun is burning gases my princess long since turned to ashes.

Learning Goal Mid-Lesson Revisit • I can connect my critical reading skills to poetry by analyzing uses of poetic language

Rose Garden -- Shad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-mAMH5S6VA

“Rose Garden” by Shad Kobango I didn't promise you a rose garden;Along with the sunshineThere's gonna be some rain sometimes. When Abraham went to slash IsaacIn a sense he baptized him.Rabbi said, don't trust them cash prizesSame things that float your boat can capsize it.Tell the snakes they can take a hike like gas prices.No such thing as halfway crooks, the half righteous,Those who have eyes should act like itTo help the sightless seeking the light switchTo see in the night with, we leadin’ the lifeless.Sometimes I just wanna play some shows, make some dough,Take it home, lay in my bed, and stay in my safety zone.But Cee-Lo said it best, I know too much and I owe too much to let it rest.Heard a voice say “Hey, you never question when you get the blessing so don't get vexed when your life is stressed”And I promised I'll be with you no matter what the issueBut there will be some issues to addressListen to the lady in the dress…

Learning Goal • I can analyze oral texts and devise a thesis to relate the language to the meaning

My Thesis • Shad’s use of contrasting symbols from nature conveys the idea that good and bad aspects of life go together naturally, and we must choose how to view them. • My supporting points: • 1. Shad uses nature symbols to show many good things that are part of life must also be paired with bad things • Rose garden – good and bad • Sunshine and rain •  These are things of nature – the way they are meant to be • 2. Shad challenges us to see good where there is bad, and to be cautious of bad where there is good. • Baptize Isaac/slash him • Things that float your boat/capsize it • Those with should help those without (eyes and the sightless)

Rhythm, Form and Structure as Meaning We Real Cool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyKF2e2CiMk

We Real Cool By Gwendolyn Brooks • THE POOL PLAYERS • SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL • We real cool. We • Left school. We • Lurk late. We • Strike straight. We • Sing sin. We • Thin gin. We • Jazz June. We • Die soon.

Learning Goal Revisited • I can analyze oral texts and devise a thesis to relate the language to the meaning

What is a LITERARY DEVICE?