Learning literary devices through the poetry of shel silverstein

1. Learning literary devices through the poetry of shelsilverstein If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer… If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire Fore we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!

2. What are literary Techniques? • Literary techniques are, basically, the ways in which writers play with words. Similes and metaphors are the most well-known literary techniques, but this literary family is actually much larger than that. • Literary techniques are like paintbrushes that allows the reader to visualize, or see, the story. • And, let’s not forget: They make the experience of reading more engaging and interesting.

3. Simile • A simile is an indirect comparison of two unlike things using the connecting words, “like” or “as.” • Here are a few common examples: • As brave as a lion • As bright as the sun • As sharp as a tack • Like a bull in a china store • What similes do you know?

4. No Difference Small as a peanut, Big as a giant, We’re all the same size When we turn off the light. Rich as a sultan, Poor as a mite, We’re all worth the same When we turn of the light Red, black or orange, Yellow or white, We all look the same When we turn off the light. So maybe the way to make everything right Is for God to just reach out and turn off the light.

5. Metaphor • A metaphor is a direct comparison of two unlike things without using the words, “like” or “as.” • Here are a few common examples: • It’s raining cats and dogs. • She has a heart of gold. • Time is a thief. • You are my sunshine. • Can you create your own metaphor?

6. Magic Carpet You have a magic carpet That will whiz you through the air, To Spain or Maine or Africa If you just tell it where. So will you let it take you Where you’ve never been before, Or will you buy some drapes to match And use it On your Floor?

7. Alliteration • Alliteration is the repetition of similar-sounding word beginnings. • Here are few famous examples of alliteration: • Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. • Shelly sells seashells down sea shore. • Xavier x-rayed his xylophone. • Can you create your own alliteration starting with the first letter of your name?

8. One picture puzzle piece Lyin’ on the sidewalk, One picture puzzle piece Soakin’ in the rain. It might be a button of blue On the coat of the woman Who lived in a shoe. It might be a magical bean, Or a fold in the red Velvet robe of a queen. It might be the one little bite Of the apple her stepmother Gave to Snow White. Picture Puzzle Piece It might be the veil of a bride Or a bottle with some evil genie inside. It might be a small tuft of hair On the big bouncy belly Of Bobo the Bear. It might be a bit of the cloak Of the Witch of the West As she melted to smoke. It might be a shadowy trace Of a ear that runs down an angel’s face. Nothing has more possibilities Than one old wet picture puzzle piece.

9. Rhyme • Rhyme is the repetition of same or similar sounding words to create a pattern. • Here is one example you all should know: I’m a little teapot, Short and stout, Here is my handle Here is my spout When I get all steamed up, Here me shout, Tip me over and pour me out.

10. Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too Went for a ride in a flying shoe. “Hooray!” “What fun!” “It’s time we flew!” Said Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too. Ickle was captain, and Pickle was crew And Tickle served coffee and mulligan stew As higher And higher And higher they flew Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too. Ickle Me, pickle me, tickle me too Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too, Over the sun and beyond the blue. “Hold on!” “Stay in!” “I hope we do!” Cried Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too. Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too Never returned to the world they knew, And nobody Knows what’s Happened to Dear Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too.