Still I Rise Figurative Language: Storyboard That Activity

Q: What examples of figurative language are in "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou?

"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou uses similes , repetition , alliteration , and rhyme to convey powerful messages. Examples include similes like "But still, like dust, I'll rise," and repeated phrases such as "I rise."

Q: How can I teach figurative language using "Still I Rise" in a middle school classroom?

Begin by reviewing types of figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration, etc.) with your students. Read the poem together, then have students identify and illustrate examples from the text using scenes or drawings. Encourage discussion about how each element enhances the poem’s meaning.

Q: What is a simple classroom activity for exploring literary elements in "Still I Rise"?

Assign students to find three examples of literary elements in the poem, such as similes or repetition. Ask them to illustrate each one and provide a brief description. This helps reinforce understanding and makes learning interactive.

Q: Why is figurative language important in "Still I Rise"?

Figurative language in "Still I Rise" adds emotional depth and helps communicate resilience and hope. Devices like repetition and similes make the poem more memorable and impactful for readers of all ages.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

Angelou uses many poetic techniques and different kinds of figurative language such as repetition, alliteration, rhyming, and similes. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate examples of figurative language in "Still I Rise". Teachers may want to review types of figurative language with students prior to reading the poem, and allow students to choose which ones they want to illustrate.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Identify, describe, and illustrate 3 literary elements in “Still I Rise”.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
In the heading, state the type of literary element.
Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, and items.
In the description box, briefly describe the element.
Save and exit when you're done.

Spider Diagram Template with 3 Empty Boxes

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Literary Elements Rubric

Create a storyboard that shows different literary elements from the story.

	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.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Due Date:

Objective: Identify, describe, and illustrate 3 literary elements in “Still I Rise”.

Student Instructions:

Click "Start Assignment".
In the heading, state the type of literary element.
Illustrate each example using scenes, characters, and items.
In the description box, briefly describe the element.
Save and exit when you're done.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Literary Elements Rubric

Create a storyboard that shows different literary elements from the story.

	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.

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How Tos about Figurative Language in \"Still I Rise\"

Incorporate figurative language mini-lessons before reading

Prepare students by teaching or reviewing types of figurative language like similes, metaphors, and alliteration. Brief, focused mini-lessons give students the background knowledge needed to recognize these devices in "Still I Rise." This builds confidence and engagement during the poem activity.

Model identifying figurative language with think-alouds

Demonstrate how to spot figurative language by reading a few lines aloud and explaining your thought process. Point out clues such as unusual comparisons or repeated sounds. This helps students learn how to analyze text on their own.

Facilitate peer discussions to deepen understanding

Organize students into pairs or small groups to share their findings. Encourage respectful discussion about why each example fits a certain figurative language type. This builds critical thinking and helps students learn from each other.

Guide students to create visual representations

Prompt students to illustrate each figurative language example with drawings or digital images. Suggest they use colors, characters, and scenes that capture the meaning or feeling of the language. Visualizing helps cement understanding of abstract concepts.

Encourage students to reflect on figurative language’s impact

Ask students to discuss or write about how figurative language affects the poem’s tone and message. Prompt them to connect the examples to the poem’s themes of resilience and hope. This fosters deeper appreciation for both the poem and literary devices.

Frequently Asked Questions about Figurative Language in \"Still I Rise\"

What examples of figurative language are in "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou?

"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou uses similes, repetition, alliteration, and rhyme to convey powerful messages. Examples include similes like "But still, like dust, I'll rise," and repeated phrases such as "I rise."

How can I teach figurative language using "Still I Rise" in a middle school classroom?

Begin by reviewing types of figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration, etc.) with your students. Read the poem together, then have students identify and illustrate examples from the text using scenes or drawings. Encourage discussion about how each element enhances the poem’s meaning.

What is a simple classroom activity for exploring literary elements in "Still I Rise"?

Assign students to find three examples of literary elements in the poem, such as similes or repetition. Ask them to illustrate each one and provide a brief description. This helps reinforce understanding and makes learning interactive.

Why is figurative language important in "Still I Rise"?

Figurative language in "Still I Rise" adds emotional depth and helps communicate resilience and hope. Devices like repetition and similes make the poem more memorable and impactful for readers of all ages.

What are easy ways for students to illustrate figurative language from a poem?

Students can use drawings, digital art, or simple scenes to visually represent figurative language. For example, they might draw rising dust for a simile or repeat words in a creative way to show repetition. This makes abstract concepts more concrete.