Imagery and Figurative Language

Active learning works for imagery and figurative language because students need to *feel* the power of words, not just define them. When they collaborate to create or analyze comparisons, the impact of these literary devices becomes immediate and memorable.

• 7th Grade
• English Language Arts
• 3 activities
• 15 min–40 min

Learning Objectives

1. Analyze how specific similes and metaphors alter a reader's perception of familiar objects or concepts.
2. Explain how personification contributes to conveying the emotional state or personality of a speaker or abstract idea.
3. Compare the impact of figurative language versus literal descriptions on reader engagement and understanding.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of different types of imagery in creating a sensory experience for the reader.

Inquiry Circle

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Figurative Art

Groups are given a poem rich in imagery. They must create a 'literal' drawing of a figurative line (e.g., 'the wind whistled') and a 'figurative' drawing of what it actually means, explaining the difference to the class.

Prepare & details

How does a specific metaphor change the reader's perception of a common object?

Facilitation Tip: During Figurative Art, remind groups that the artwork is secondary to the written explanation of how each device serves the poem or story.

Setup: Groups at tables with access to source materials

Materials: Source material collection, Inquiry cycle worksheet, Question generation protocol, Findings presentation template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 15 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Metaphor Makeover

Students take a boring, literal sentence (e.g., 'It was hot outside') and work with a partner to turn it into a simile, a metaphor, and a personification. They share their favorite version with the class.

Prepare & details

In what ways does personification help convey the emotional state of a speaker?

Facilitation Tip: For Metaphor Makeover, model turning a flat description into a vivid one, then let students practice with your feedback before they pair up.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Gallery Walk

⏱ 30 min·Individual

Gallery Walk: Imagery Stations

Set up stations for each of the five senses. Students visit each station and find one line from a provided text that appeals to that sense, writing it on a large piece of chart paper for everyone to see.

Prepare & details

Why do poets choose figurative language over literal descriptions?

Facilitation Tip: At Imagery Stations, assign each group a device to focus on so the gallery walk showcases a variety of examples rather than repetition.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Teach figurative language by starting with the reader’s experience, not the definition. Ask students what picture forms in their mind before naming the device. Avoid overloading with terms—focus on the effect first, the label second. Research shows that students retain figurative language best when they create their own, so build in opportunities for original writing after analysis.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students explaining not just what a metaphor is, but why an author chose one shape of comparison over another. They should connect the device to the emotion or image it creates in the reader’s mind.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During Collaborative Investigation: Figurative Art, watch for students who focus only on drawing and skip the written explanation of how each device affects the reader.

What to Teach Instead

Require each group to include a sticky note beside their artwork that names the device and explains its impact on tone or mood before they share with the class.

Common Misconception

During Think-Pair-Share: Metaphor Makeover, watch for students who treat the task as a synonym hunt rather than a crafting of fresh, vivid comparisons.

What to Teach Instead

Display a list of overused comparisons (e.g., 'as busy as a bee') and challenge students to replace them with original, specific images before they revise their sentences.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

After Collaborative Investigation: Figurative Art, collect each group’s artwork and written explanations to check that they correctly identified the device and tied it to a reader effect, not just a definition.

Discussion Prompt

During Think-Pair-Share: Metaphor Makeover, listen for pairs who explain how their revised metaphor changes the reader’s feeling or understanding, and note whether they move beyond literal descriptions.

Quick Check

After Gallery Walk: Imagery Stations, display the common object again and ask students to write one metaphor and one simile on index cards, then explain which one creates a stronger image and why.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students who finish early to rewrite a paragraph from their independent reading using three fresh metaphors or similes.
• For students who struggle, provide sentence stems like 'The _______ was as _______ as a _______ because...' to scaffold their comparisons.
• Deeper exploration: Ask students to find a song lyric or advertisement that uses figurative language and present how it shapes the message.

Key Vocabulary

Imagery	Language that appeals to the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. It helps readers create vivid mental pictures.
Simile	A figure of speech that directly compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: 'The clouds were like fluffy cotton balls.'
Metaphor	A figure of speech that compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as', stating that one thing is another. Example: 'The classroom was a zoo.'
Personification	Giving human qualities, feelings, or actions to inanimate objects, animals, or abstract ideas. Example: 'The wind whispered through the trees.'