Literary Devices Worksheet | Grade 6-8 Essential

This comprehensive Grade 6-8 literary devices worksheet provides students with 20 targeted multiple-choice questions to master figurative language and narrative elements. By identifying terms like irony, personification, and point of view, learners build the analytical foundation necessary for high-level textual interpretation and literary criticism across various genres.

At a Glance

• Grade: 6-8 · Subject: ELA
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4 — Determine the meaning of figurative language and literary devices in context
• Skill Focus: Literary Terms & Devices
• Format: 2 pages · 20 problems · Answer key included · PDF
• Best For: End-of-unit assessment or vocabulary review
• Time: 15–25 minutes

This two-page PDF features 20 distinct multiple-choice items covering a wide spectrum of literary terminology. Students will differentiate between direct and indirect characterization, identify three types of irony (situational, verbal, and dramatic), and distinguish between various points of view. The layout is clean and professional, providing ample space for student responses.

This resource is designed for immediate classroom implementation with a total teacher preparation time of under 2 minutes. Simply print the two-page document, distribute it to your students, and use the included answer key for rapid grading or peer review. Its self-contained nature makes it an ideal emergency sub plan or a quick formative check during a busy instructional week.

The primary focus is `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4`, which requires students to determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. This worksheet also supports RL.7.4 and RL.8.4 by reinforcing the technical vocabulary needed for advanced analysis. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

Assign this worksheet as a summative quiz after a unit on narrative elements to gauge student retention. Alternatively, use it as a bell-ringer activity where students work in pairs to define terms. During the activity, observe if students struggle to distinguish between the three types of irony, as this indicates a need for further instruction. Completion typically takes 15 to 25 minutes.

This resource is tailored for middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8 who are developing their literary analysis skills. It is particularly effective for English Language Learners who benefit from clear, concise definitions of abstract concepts. Pair this worksheet with a short story or a literary devices anchor chart to provide a complete instructional cycle.

According to the RAND AIRS 2024 report on secondary literacy, the explicit instruction of literary terminology is a critical precursor to complex text analysis and reading comprehension. This worksheet addresses that need by isolating 20 essential terms, including situational irony and personification, ensuring students possess the technical vocabulary required by CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.4. Research from Fisher & Frey (2014) suggests that multiple-choice assessments, when used formatively, allow educators to identify specific misconceptions in figurative language acquisition quickly. By providing a structured environment for students to practice these skills, this resource facilitates the transition from basic identification to the higher-order evaluation of authorial intent. The inclusion of narrative devices like flashback and foreshadowing aligns with national standards for middle-grade literacy, providing a robust framework for student mastery of the English Language Arts curriculum.