Activity Overview
When teaching poetry, it is often helpful to refresh or introduce students with technical words. “Alliteration”, “consonance”, “imagery”, “assonance”, and “synecdoche” 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.
“Women” Literary Elements
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words in a sentence or line | “Husky of voice- Stout of / Step” |
| Consonance | The repetition of similar consonant sounds at the ends of words | “...To discover books / Desks...” |
| Imagery | The use of descriptive or figurative language to create vivid mental imagery that appeals to the senses | “How they led / Armies / Headragged generals / Across mined / Fields / Booby-trapped / Ditches…” |
| Assonance | The repetition of a vowel sound | “How they knew what / We / Must know / Without knowing a page...” |
| Synecdoche | The use of a part of something to represent the whole | “With fists as well as / Hands...” |
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 five examples of literary elements in “Women”.
- 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. “Alliteration”, “consonance”, “imagery”, “assonance”, and “synecdoche” 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.
“Women” Literary Elements
| DESCRIPTION | EXAMPLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Alliteration | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words in a sentence or line | “Husky of voice- Stout of / Step” |
| Consonance | The repetition of similar consonant sounds at the ends of words | “...To discover books / Desks...” |
| Imagery | The use of descriptive or figurative language to create vivid mental imagery that appeals to the senses | “How they led / Armies / Headragged generals / Across mined / Fields / Booby-trapped / Ditches…” |
| Assonance | The repetition of a vowel sound | “How they knew what / We / Must know / Without knowing a page...” |
| Synecdoche | The use of a part of something to represent the whole | “With fists as well as / Hands...” |
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 five examples of literary elements in “Women”.
- 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 "Women" by Alice Walker
Organize a literary elements gallery walk
Set up stations with student-created storyboards for each literary element. Encourage students to rotate and discuss what they notice at each station. This strategy promotes peer learning and deepens understanding by letting students explain and reflect on each element in context.
Assign student roles for peer feedback
Give each student a specific peer-review role, such as checking for accurate definitions, analyzing images, or identifying strong examples. Structured feedback helps students refine their storyboards and build confidence in literary analysis.
Model think-alouds when analyzing poem excerpts
Read selected lines from “Women” aloud and verbalize your thought process as you spot literary elements. Demonstrating analysis step-by-step helps students grasp how to break down poetry and apply terminology independently.
Integrate quick daily warm-ups with new literary terms
Begin each class with a brief activity where students identify or create examples of the literary elements found in “Women.” Frequent, low-stakes practice reinforces key concepts and keeps literary vocabulary fresh.
Celebrate progress with a class poetry showcase
Invite students to present their storyboards or perform readings highlighting literary elements in “Women.” Celebrating learning builds enthusiasm and helps students take ownership of their new skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about Literary Elements in \"Women\" by Alice Walker
What are the main literary elements used in the poem 'Women' by Alice Walker?
The poem 'Women' by Alice Walker features key literary elements such as alliteration, consonance, imagery, assonance, and synecdoche. These techniques enrich the poem’s language and help convey its powerful themes about strength and perseverance.
How can I teach literary elements in 'Women' by Alice Walker to middle or high school students?
Use an interactive approach like a scavenger hunt with the Storyboard Creator. After reading the poem, have students identify and illustrate examples of each literary element, making the lesson engaging and memorable.
Can you give examples of alliteration and imagery in 'Women'?
Yes! Alliteration: “Husky of voice- Stout of / Step.” Imagery: “Headragged generals / Across mined / Fields / Booby-trapped / Ditches…” Both create vivid sounds and mental pictures.
What is the best way to create a storyboard activity for teaching literary elements in poetry?
The best way is to have students identify each literary element in the poem, provide a text example, and illustrate it visually. Tools like Storyboard Creator make this process fun and visually engaging.
Why is it important for students to learn literary elements like alliteration and synecdoche?
Learning literary elements helps students analyze and appreciate poetry, deepens their reading comprehension, and strengthens their own writing by exposing them to a variety of expressive techniques.
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