What Are Sound Devices in Literature?

Sound devices are the techniques authors use to create musicality, rhythm, emphasis and imagery through the sounds of words. As teachers, we know that students can often spot a rhyme or an obvious example of onomatopoeia, but explaining why an author has used these features can be much more challenging. That’s where targeted practice makes all the difference!

This resource has been created by our team to provide your students with multiple opportunities to identify sound devices and analyze their purpose in authentic text passages. It features:

• Three age-appropriate texts containing various sound devices that have been used deliberately to achieve specific purposes
• A table where students can record examples of alliteration, assonance, repetition and onomatopoeia used in the focus text
• Two pages of analysis questions that focus on how the sound devices are used and how they affect the experience of the reader
• A handy reference list of all the sound devices used in each of the three passages

Students can work through all three texts over a series of lessons. Due to their generic nature, the recording table and analysis questions can also be applied to any text containing sound devices.

Read on for more ideas on using this resource in your classroom as you explore sound devices in literature!

Teaching Sound Devices in Literature Through Gradual Release

Understanding sound devices in literature is most effective when students have the opportunity to move from supported learning to independent analysis. The three passages included in this resource are ideal for a gradual release of responsibility approach, allowing students to build confidence and deepen their understanding over time.

Here’s how you might implement this approach in your classroom:

• Passage 1: Teacher Modelled Learning (“I Do”) – Project one of the passages onto your interactive whiteboard and read it together as a class. Model how to identity and analyze the sound devices found in the text, using think-aloud strategies throughout the process.
• Passage 2: Guided Practice (“We Do”) – Provide students with one of the passages, then have them work together in small groups or pairs to complete the analysis worksheets. Encourage collaboration and discussing ideas about the devices used and their effects.
• Passage 3: Independent Work (“You Do”) – Have students apply their knowledge and confidence from the previous two tasks by reading a passage and completing the worksheets independently. You might like to use these responses as a formative assessment opportunity to identify next teaching steps.

Download These Sound Devices in Writing Worksheets

If you’re looking for a practical way to strengthen your students’ understanding of sound devices in writing, this resource is ready to download and use immediately!  

Use the Download button above to access your preferred version of this worksheet pack. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

For sustainability purposes, please consider printing this worksheet pack double-sided.

This resource was created by Tanya Bailey, a teacher in South Carolina and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Resources for Teaching Sound Devices

If you’re keen to explore more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources for teaching sound devices, then Teach Starter has you covered. Click below to access more time-saving activities for your poetry lessons!

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What Are Sound Devices? Teaching Slides

Teach sound devices in literature with this engaging PowerPoint presentation that helps students identify and understand common sound techniques used by authors and poets.

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Onomatopoeia Poems Poster and Templates

Use this onomatopoeia poem poster and accompanying template to teach your students how to write an onomatopoeia poem.

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List of Sound Devices

Download this list of sound devices in poetry to help students recognize, understand and confidently use sound techniques that bring poems to life.