Stage 5 reading - Literary devices
Learning intention
Students will learn to identify and analyse the effect of a range of literary devices in imaginative, informative and persuasive texts.
Syllabus outcome (2022)
- EN5-RVL-01: uses a range of personal, creative and critical strategies to interpret complex texts
- EN5-URA-01: analyses how meaning is created through the use and interpretation of increasingly complex language forms, features and structures
Syllabus outcome (2012)*
- EN5-2A: effectively uses and critically assesses a wide range of processes, skills, strategies and knowledge for responding to and composing a wide range of texts in different media and technologies
- EN5-3B: selects and uses language forms, features and structures of texts appropriate to a range of purposes, audiences and contexts, describing and explaining their effects on meaning
*Note: Visit the Leading curriculum K-12 website for more information on the syllabus implementation timeline.
National Literacy Learning Progression
Understanding texts
- UnT9: reads and views complex texts (see Text complexity) (comprehension); analyses the use of language appropriate to different types of texts (e.g. compare the use of pun in imaginative and persuasive texts (comprehension); identifies language used to create tone or atmosphere (vocabulary); analyses language and visual features in texts using metalanguage (e.g. cohesion, interpretation, figurative) (vocabulary)
- UnT10: reads and views complex or some highly complex texts (see Text complexity) (comprehension); applies and articulates criteria to evaluate the language structures and features for relevance to purpose and audience (comprehension); analyses the techniques authors use to position readers (comprehension); demonstrates an understanding of nuances and subtleties in words of similar meaning (e.g. frustrated, discouraged, baffled) (vocabulary); verifies interpretations of unfamiliar words using grammatical and contextual cues (vocabulary)
UnT11: interprets symbolism in texts, providing evidence to justify interpretation (comprehension); evaluates the use of devices such as analogy, irony, rhetoric and satire and how they contribute to author’s individual style (comprehension); analyses the cumulative impact of use of language features and vocabulary across texts (comprehension)
NAPLAN item descriptors
The relevant NAPLAN item descriptors are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Task outline
Full task descriptions are included in the resource, available for download on this page.
Literary devices
Students identify various literary devices.
‘The Road’ narrative textual analysis
Students explore similes in a narrative text.
Literary devices: informative texts
Students explore and evaluate a range of literary devices in informative texts.
Literary devices: persuasive techniques hunt
Students identify and analyse persuasive language devices in informative texts.
Literary devices: persuasive texts
Students track and analyse literary devices across persuasive texts.
Personification in a poem
Students explore and evaluate personification in a classic poe