Activity Overview
When teaching poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like “metaphor", "stanza", "alliteration", "personification", "imagery", "rhyme scheme", "apostrophe", and "assonance" are a few important terms.
After you have read the poem, ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the Storyboard Creator. Give them the list again and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element in the poem! They will have an absolute blast and gain mastery of the words.
Examples of Literary Elements
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Heroic Couplet | A set of two rhyming lines typically found at the end of the poem | "Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain/ May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train." |
| End Rhyme | Words at the end of a line that rhyme with words at the end of other lines. | "land” & “understand”; “too” & “knew”; and “eye” & “die" |
| Personification | Giving human-like characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas | In the poem Wheatley personifies “mercy” by saying it brought her to America. Mercy did not physically carry her across an ocean, but it was metaphorically responsible for her journey. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows four examples of literary elements in "On Being Brought from Africa to America".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
When teaching poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. Terms like “metaphor", "stanza", "alliteration", "personification", "imagery", "rhyme scheme", "apostrophe", and "assonance" are a few important terms.
After you have read the poem, ask your students to do a scavenger hunt using the Storyboard Creator. Give them the list again and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element in the poem! They will have an absolute blast and gain mastery of the words.
Examples of Literary Elements
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Heroic Couplet | A set of two rhyming lines typically found at the end of the poem | "Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain/ May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train." |
| End Rhyme | Words at the end of a line that rhyme with words at the end of other lines. | "land” & “understand”; “too” & “knew”; and “eye” & “die" |
| Personification | Giving human-like characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas | In the poem Wheatley personifies “mercy” by saying it brought her to America. Mercy did not physically carry her across an ocean, but it was metaphorically responsible for her journey. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows four examples of literary elements in "On Being Brought from Africa to America".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify use of literary elements in the text.
- Put the type of literary element in the title box.
- Give an example from the text in the description box.
- Illustrate the example using using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Literary Elements | All literary elements are correctly identified. | Most literary elements are correctly identified. | Few literary elements are correctly identified. |
| Illustration | Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. | Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. |
| Description of Literary Elements | Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. | Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Literary Elements in On Being Brought from Africa to America
Design a collaborative classroom display for literary elements
Encourage student engagement by creating a shared bulletin board or poster where each student contributes an example of a literary element from the poem. This visual reference helps reinforce key concepts and fosters classroom pride in collective learning.
Assign pairs to find and present new examples together
Pair students and have each duo select a different literary element from the poem. They work together to find examples and prepare a quick presentation. This strengthens collaboration and allows students to learn from one another’s perspectives.
Incorporate movement with a ‘literary element gallery walk’
Post examples of different literary elements around the classroom. Have students walk from station to station, identifying the element and discussing its effect. This active learning approach keeps students engaged and deepens understanding through movement.
Use sentence starters to scaffold deeper analysis
Provide sentence starters such as, “This metaphor shows…,” or “The rhyme scheme creates….” This helps students articulate their understanding and supports those who may struggle to put their thoughts into words.
Celebrate mastery with a mini-quiz or creative recap
Wrap up your lesson by giving a short, fun quiz or having students create a quick comic or skit that demonstrates one literary element. This reinforces learning and builds student confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Elements in On Being Brought from Africa to America
What are the key literary elements in 'On Being Brought from Africa to America'?
'On Being Brought from Africa to America' uses several important literary elements, including metaphor, heroic couplet, end rhyme, personification, alliteration, imagery, apostrophe, and assonance. These devices help convey the poem's deeper meaning and enhance its emotional impact.
How can I teach literary elements in 'On Being Brought from Africa to America' to middle or high school students?
To teach literary elements in this poem, provide students with a list of terms like metaphor and personification, then have them complete a scavenger hunt or create a storyboard illustrating examples from the text. This interactive approach helps students identify and understand each device.
Can you give examples of literary devices used in 'On Being Brought from Africa to America'?
Yes! For example, the poem ends with a heroic couplet: “May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” It also personifies mercy, giving it human-like action, and uses end rhyme such as “land”/“understand”.
What is a storyboard activity for analyzing literary elements in poetry?
A storyboard activity involves students creating illustrated panels that identify, depict, and explain literary elements from a poem. This visual method reinforces understanding and makes abstract concepts like metaphor or alliteration more accessible.
Why is using a scavenger hunt effective for teaching poetic terms?
A scavenger hunt motivates students to actively search for and recognize literary devices in real texts. It transforms abstract terms into tangible examples, making learning more engaging and memorable.
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On Being Brought from Africa to America
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