FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE LESSON PLAN:

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Note literary elements/devices that are present, as well as the relationships established
between elements.
Examine the usage of literary elements.
Examine how the author uses language to portray characteriation.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
!tudents will draw conclusions about elements of the futuristic society and the author"s
attitude toward the sub#ect through his treatment.
!tudents will analye the author"s choice of figurative and descriptive language as it
relates to characteriation.
!tudents will interpret word choice and its impact on the text.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:
$ow the author uses language to portray characteriation and develop the central ideas
of the text. !tudents should remar% upon/criti&ue the author"s criticism of society
through his combination of the above elements.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
!tudents will be able to describe the impact of figurative and descriptive language on the
wor%"s meaning and tone.
GUIDED QUESTIONS:
$ow does language impact meaning in the text' $ow does word choice impact the text'
GUIDED PRACTICE:
(iscuss with students the purpose of descriptive language/imagery. )s% students to
share whether imagination*inspiring details and vivid imagery enhance a text or detract
from it.
!tudents s%etch their interpretation of what +$arrison, loo%s li%e. -he focus should be
on incorporating the details presented through the author"s inclusion of word
choice/imagery.
!tudents should be able to note similarities between their s%etches. .ost will li%ely draw
$arrison as a fairly tall character and incorporate the clown nose and blac%*capped teeth
handicaps. )s students note these commonalities, explain this is a testament to the
power of precise verbs/word choice.
/se this activity to ensure correct interpretation of word choice and its impact on the
text.
.a%e connections between the imagery/figurative language used by the author and
readers" imagination.