Author’s Craft
Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson choose their words very carefully, making use of several interesting literary devices. They appeal to the reader’s senses and sense of humor by using figurative language. Find two examples of each listed below. Then explain how each passage adds meaning to the story.
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Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
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Metaphor-a direct comparison between two or more unlike objects.
“No, Smee, she’s a witch of a storm, and this here”—he waved at the wind—“is her broom.”
p. 146 last paragraph
The Witch’s Broom is the wind. This is a perfect comparison because the wind is so wicked! This storm is wreaking havoc on the ship. This passage is important because the storm—the witch—could prevent Black Stache and his crew from reaching The Neverland.
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Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
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Personification- giving human or “person” characteristics to non-human objects.
“No, Smee, she’s a witch of a storm, and this here”—he waved at the wind—“is her broom.” (Metaphor)
‘She flies too fast for us, Smee. She’ll be on us in a few hours.” (Personification) This passage demonstrates how the wind is personified and thought of as witch’s broom. The wind is she. p. 146 last paragraph
“The masts bowed and looked as if they might snap.” (Personification) p. 147 par. 1.
The masts are personified, acting like humans as they bow or bend over; the wind or the witch’s broom is very strong. It is causing the masts to bend over really low because the passage says they might snap. Again, this could cause Black Stache to be delayed in his pursuit of The Neverland and the treasure aboard the ship.
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Onomatopoeia and Simile
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Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
Page Number/ Example/ What does this passage add to the story? |
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Onomatopoeia: a word(s) that imitates the sound it represents.
p. 141: A final heave and …CLUNK CLUNKETY-CLUNK …the hasp and padlock, suddenly yanked free, bounced across the floor. |
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Simile: a comparison that includes the words like or as.
p. 193: From the corner of his mouth, Smee said, “They’s tied up to us now, Cap’n.” Like a fly in a spiderweb.
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Author’s
Craft: Teaching Simile
Questions/Invitations you may use when introducing Simile:
v What does it mean to compare two objects? (You describe how they are alike.)
v When you compare two objects, what do you think about?
o How the objects look (color, shape, size)
o How the objects act (what they do)
o How the objects feel (texture)
o How the objects smell
o How the objects taste
o How the objects sound
v Generate a list of objects for comparison. Then generate the above characteristics.
Artistic
Representation
Now that you have chosen several examples of simile, please artistically represent one of these comparisons. You may use any artistic medium. The following are options: colored pencils, watercolors, pastels, collage, etc. Have fun with your art!