Teach literary devices through the use of comic books. Choose an appropriate comic book that includes the device you want to teach, such as a comic book with a strong use of metaphor. Guide students through each page, asking them to identify the metaphors. Once they understand the use of metaphor, have them create an animated story using this literary device.
Quiz your class. Give each student a list of important literary devices with meanings attached, and have them take the lists home and study them. Prepare questions relating to the terms the students should have learned, such as "Name a literary device starting with the letter P." Divide the students into small groups and ask questions in random order; students write down the answers in their groups. Reward the group with the most correct answers.
Listen to, sing along with and analyze the Jimi Hendrix song "The Wind Cries Mary." The song is an interesting example of the power of personification. It also serves as an effective way for students to develop literary analysis skills. Hand out a sheet of lyrics to each member of the class. Play the song and ask the students to sing along. Analyze the lyrics and point out the personification used. Hendrix uses the wind to express his grief at the loss of a loved one: "The wind cries," "the wind screams," "the wind whispers."
Use picture books. They contain many literary techniques, including metaphor, simile, assonance, consonance and imagery. Choose a suitable picture book to read to the class. "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak is a popular favorite. The book is one long metaphor for fear, anger and comfort. Once the book has been read out loud and the literary devices have been identified, ask the students to form groups and re-enact the story.