Literary Elements in The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

Activity Overview

Most short stories and screenplays are rich in figurative language and literary elements. These are used to enhance the symbols, motifs, and themes within the plot. Monsters on Maple Street is no exception. The use of simile, metaphor, personification, and onomatopoeia is abundant.

A great activity for students to complete after reading the story is to go on a scavenger hunt! Give them a list of figurative language to find and have them create a storyboard that depicts and explains the use of each literary element in the story! They will have an absolute blast and master the words by the end.

Elements of Figurative Language - Motifs of Hysteria and Animal-like Behavior!

	DESCRIPTION	EXAMPLE
Metaphor	An implied comparison between two things	“Maple Street was bedlam. It was an outdoor asylum for the insane.” "A fever had taken hold now, a hot burning virus..."
Simile	A comparison using 'like' or 'as'	"They blinked foolishly at the lights, and their mouths gaped like fishes" "Like a hippopotamus in a circus"
Onomatopoeia	The spelling of a word mimics the sound it represents	"Everyone on the street looked up at the sound of the whoosh."
Personification	Giving human-like characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas	"The dull, dumb, blind prejudice of the man"

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Template and Class Instructions

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Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows different literary elements and use of figurative language in The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

Review your list of literary elements.
Look for examples of literary elements from the text.
Illustrate each example using a combination of scenes, characters, and items.
Type in a description of what the literary element does to enhance the story.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 5 (Advanced / Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Figurative Language

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RL/7/4] Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama
[ELA-Literacy/L/7/5] Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
[ELA-Literacy/L/7/6] Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression

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Rubric

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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.