You will learn
- Identify devices in literature.
- Interpret meaning.
- Explain effect.
- Compare devices.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Find the device.
- Interpret the comparison.
- Explain what it adds.
- Link to the theme.
Words to know
a comparison using like or as
a direct comparison saying one thing is another
a metaphor developed over several lines
language that creates sensory pictures
1. Discover: The river road
Original passage. “Life is a river road. It begins as a quiet stream, bubbling with laughter, and grows like a young tree. Sometimes rocks block the way, but the river does not give up; it climbs round them. At last it reaches the sea, calm as an evening sky.”
“Life is a river road” is an extended metaphor. “Grows like a young tree” and “calm as an evening sky” are similes. “The river does not give up” is personification.
Think: What does the extended metaphor say about life?
2. Understand: Pictures that carry meaning
Idea 1: Devices in literature
Writers use similes, metaphors and personification to create pictures and ideas.
Idea 2: Extended metaphor
An extended metaphor is developed over several lines or the whole text.
Idea 3: Interpret
Explain what the comparison means and how it supports the theme.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Extended
What is the extended metaphor?
- River road.
Answer: life is a river road
Example 2 (We do it together): Simile
Quote a simile.
- Like.
Answer: grows like a young tree or calm as an evening sky
Example 3 (You try): Meaning
What does not giving up suggest?
Show the steps and answer
- Perseverance.
Answer: determination and perseverance
Did you know?
Extended metaphors can run through a whole poem or story.
Why this matters
Interpreting figurative language reveals a text’s deeper meaning.
4. Explore: Decode it
Interpret devices.
- Choose a passage.
- Find three devices.
- Explain each comparison.
- Link to the theme.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can analyse figurative language.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- The device is ___.
- It compares ___ to ___.
- It suggests ___.
- This supports the theme of ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. A comparison using like or as is a ___.
simile
Question 2. A direct comparison is a ___.
metaphor
Question 3. A metaphor developed over lines is an ___ metaphor.
extended
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A comparison using like or as is a ___.
- A direct comparison is a ___.
- A metaphor developed over lines is an ___ metaphor.
- Language creating sensory pictures is ___.
- The life in the passage ends at the ___.
Level 2: Grow
- What does the river road stand for?
- What does the rock stand for?
- What does reaching the sea suggest?
Level 3: Stretch
- Is calm as an evening sky a simile?
- Is life is a river road a metaphor?
- Can devices support a theme?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Write a paragraph analysing a metaphor from a text you know.
Show a sample answer
a paragraph
Another one. Make up a metaphor with a family member and explain what it means.
Show a sample answer
a completed task
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Slow down and check your work.
Fix: Study the example first, then try.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can identify devices in literature.
- I can interpret meaning.
- I can explain effect.
- I can compare devices.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Find the device.
- Interpret the comparison.
- Explain what it adds.
- Link to the theme.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Tone and mood. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is a metaphor? [1 mark]
- Quote a simile and explain it. [2 marks]
- What is the extended metaphor in the passage? [1 mark]
- What does the river not giving up suggest? [2 marks]
- Explain how to analyse figurative language. [3 marks]
Total: 9 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a direct comparison saying one thing is another [1]
- grows like a young tree [1]; it compares growth with a tree [1]
- life is a river road [1]
- perseverance [1]; people can overcome challenges [1]
- find the device [1]; interpret the comparison [1]; link it to meaning or theme [1]
Score guide: 8 to 9 = secure. 6 to 7 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- A comparison using like or as is a ___.
- A direct comparison is a ___.
- A metaphor developed over lines is an ___ metaphor.
- Language creating sensory pictures is ___.
- The life in the passage ends at the ___.
- What does the river road stand for?
- What does the rock stand for?
- What does reaching the sea suggest?
- Is calm as an evening sky a simile?
- Is life is a river road a metaphor?
Homework
Make up a metaphor with a family member and explain what it means.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A comparison using like or as is a ___. | simile | 1 |
| 2. A direct comparison is a ___. | metaphor | 1 |
| 3. A metaphor developed over lines is an ___ metaphor. | extended | 1 |
| 4. Language creating sensory pictures is ___. | imagery | 1 |
| 5. The life in the passage ends at the ___. | sea | 1 |
| 6. What does the river road stand for? | life | 1 |
| 7. What does the rock stand for? | challenges | 1 |
| 8. What does reaching the sea suggest? | a calm ending | 1 |
| 9. Is calm as an evening sky a simile? | yes | 1 |
| 10. Is life is a river road a metaphor? | yes | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 simile; 2 metaphor; 3 extended; 4 imagery; 5 sea. Level 2: 1 life; 2 challenges; 3 a calm ending. Level 3: 1 yes; 2 yes; 3 yes.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Identify devices in literature | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Interpret meaning | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Explain effect | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Compare devices | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child practises a key Grade 3 English skill with clear examples and a quiz. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Listen while your child explains the idea.
- Ask for one new example.
- Praise effort and careful work.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: identify devices in literature; interpret meaning; explain effect; compare devices.
Prerequisite knowledge. Literary techniques.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Introduce the idea with the opening example.
Explanation (10 min). Teach the key words.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise together.
Independent activity (10 min). Check understanding with the quiz.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. What is the key idea? Can I give my own example?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use the sentence frames and work with a partner. Extension. Create a harder example of your own.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Rushing without checking. Slow down and check your work.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 9-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Re-read the examples slowly and use the sentence frames. Enrichment. Make up your own example and teach it to someone at home. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 6 » Reading: Literature. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core RL.6.4 and L.6.5a (interpret figures of speech in context); Cambridge Primary English Stage 6 (figurative language in literature). These sources informed the lesson.