Virginia SOL 11.RV.1.F
The Standard
Explain the meaning of figurative language and literary and classical allusions and analyze their role in texts.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Vocabulary Development and Word Analysis
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify figurative phrases and references to well-known literature, myths, and classical stories. They explain each meaning from context and source knowledge. They analyze how the language shapes tone, theme, characterization, or argument.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students accurately explain a figurative phrase or allusion using evidence from the passage. They connect the reference to its source and explain its effect on tone, theme, characterization, or argument.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may explain only the literal meaning or identify a device without discussing its effect. They may also confuse an allusion with a direct quotation or assume every reference has the same meaning in every context.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short passage containing a metaphor and an Achilles allusion. Ask them to explain each meaning and how each shapes tone, character, or theme.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs excerpt cards and source cards, then have them match each allusion and annotate its meaning and effect.
Discuss this prompt: Why might an author write “Pandora’s box” instead of simply saying that a decision caused many problems?
Run an allusion relay where teams identify references, explain their origins, and earn a point only after naming their effect in context.
Collect allusions from advertisements, song lyrics, or political speeches, then analyze what each reference assumes the audience already knows.
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Related Standards
- 10.RL.2.B
Analyze how authors use literary devices and figurative language, including allusion, allegory, and paradox to impact the meaning of the text.
- 12.RV.1.F
Interpret the meaning of figurative language and literary and classical allusions and analyze their role in texts.
- 9.RV.1.F
Explain the meaning of literary and classical allusions and figurative language in context and analyze their roles in texts.
- 10.RV.1.F
Explain the meaning of literary and classical allusions and figurative language in context and analyze their roles in texts.
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