Day 10: Creating a Literary Devices Poster
Turn abstract concepts into classroom-ready art. In Day 10 of the Grade 9 English course, students synthesize their knowledge by creating a literary devices poster. This summative creative project requires students to translate definitions into their own words and provide visual representations of complex terms, reinforcing long-term retention.
75 Minutes | Key Concepts: Visual Literacy, Literary Analysis, Graphic Design, Creative Assessment.
Learning Goals and Standards
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define a literary device clearly in their own words
- Create an accurate original example demonstrating the device
- Represent a literary concept visually through illustration or design
- Explain how literary devices shape meaning in texts
- Communicate literary understanding through a structured visual format
Aligned Global Competencies / Standards / ELA Curriculum
This lesson supports international secondary English expectations such as:
Ontario Curriculum Alignment (ENL1W)
Strand B: Foundations of Language — Demonstrating understanding of specialized terminology and figurative language used to interpret texts (B2.1)
Strand B: Foundations of Language — Explaining how stylistic elements contribute to meaning and effectiveness in texts (B2.2)
Strand D: Creating Texts — Creating media texts that communicate ideas clearly for specific audiences and purposes (D1.2)
Strand D: Creating Texts — Using appropriate forms, conventions, and design elements to organize information and support communication (D2.1)
Common Core (Grades 9–10 Writing & Presentation of Knowledge)
Produce clear and coherent visual and written compositions appropriate to task, purpose, and audience (W.9–10.4)
IB Language & Literature (ATL Skills)
Communicate understanding using multimodal forms and visual representation of literary concepts
Cambridge IGCSE English Literature
Demonstrate understanding of writers’ methods through analytical and creative responses
OECD Global Competence Framework
Communicate ideas effectively using multiple formats and representations
UNESCO Literacy Framework
Strengthen expressive literacy through multimodal communication and visual interpretation of concepts
Resources for Literary Devices Poster
Bell Ringer for the Literary Devices Poster
“Which Image Matches the Device?” (5 minutes)
Write this on the board:
The wind screamed through the trees.
Show three quick sketch ideas (or describe them):
- a shouting mouth
- bending trees in a storm
- a whispering breeze
Ask students:
- Which image best represents the sentence?
- What literary device is being used?
- Why does that image help explain the device?
Students immediately see that literary devices are not just definitions—they are ideas that can be visualized.
Lesson Flow and Instructions
Silent Reading (15 minutes)
Students read their chosen novel or text for sustained silent reading.Introduce the Literary Devices Poster Project
Go over the instructions and expectations for the poster.Student Work Period
Students begin drafting their poster designs and get a strong start on their rough drafts.
Literary Devices Poster Instructions for Students
Each student will be assigned one literary device.
Begin with a rough draft of your poster. Once approved, move to the final version on a larger poster page.
Your poster must include:
A title (the name of your device).
A definition of the device (in your own words).
A written example of the device.
An image or illustration that represents the example.
Be creative! Use color, neat writing, and clear visuals.
Your final poster will be marked out of 20 points (see rubric below).
Assessment Rubric (20 Points Total)
| Requirement | Description | Points |
| Title | The name of the assigned literary device. | Included |
| Definition | A clear, student-generated explanation of the term. | 5 Points |
| Example | A written example of the device in action. | 5 Points |
| Visual | An illustration or image representing the example. | 5 Points |
| Presentation | Neatness, color, and overall effort. | 5 Points |
First-Hand Suggestions
I’ve found that students understand literary devices much more deeply when they have to represent them visually instead of just defining them. Creating a poster forces them to translate an abstract concept into something concrete, and that process helps them remember both the meaning and the purpose of the device long after the activity is finished.
Differentiation
For Students with IEPs
- Provide a poster template with labeled sections (definition, example, image)
- Allow digital posters instead of paper versions
- Offer simplified device choices if needed
- Model one complete example together before independent work
- Allow oral explanation of example before writing
For English Language Learners
Pre-teach core vocabulary:
| Term | Student-Friendly Meaning |
|---|---|
| literary device | a writing technique |
| example | a sentence that shows the device |
| illustration | a picture that explains the idea |
| figurative language | words that are not literal |
Strategies:
- Provide sentence frames:
- “This device means…”
- “An example is…”
- Allow labeled drawings instead of paragraph explanations
- Use visual anchor charts for common devices
- Pair students for collaborative planning before drafting
Literary Devices Poster FAQ
How do you grade a literary devices poster? The poster is graded on a 20-point scale focusing on four categories: the accuracy of the definition, the relevance of the written example, the creativity of the visual, and the overall neatness/effort of the presentation.
What materials are needed for this project? Students will need large poster paper, markers or colored pencils, and access to their Literary Devices Glossary for reference.
Can this be done digitally? Absolutely. While this lesson is designed for physical posters, it can easily be adapted for digital design tools like Canva or Google Slides, following the same rubric.
Previous Lesson: Literary Terms Quiz and POV
Next Lesson: Finding Theme in Literature
