Virginia SOL 9.RV.1.F
The Standard
Explain the meaning of literary and classical allusions and figurative language in context and analyze their roles 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 use context clues and background knowledge to work out what an allusion or figurative phrase suggests. They explain why the author used it and connect it to tone, character, theme, conflict, or plot.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can paraphrase an allusion or figurative phrase and support their reading with words from the passage. They can explain how the choice shapes tone, reveals character, develops theme, or foreshadows an event.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name the source of an allusion but never explain what it implies in the passage. They may read figurative wording literally or label a device without discussing its effect. They also confuse an allusion with any mention of a person, place, or event.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Read, “After one early success, Lena flew too close to the sun and ignored every warning.” Explain the reference and its effect.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs context strips and allusion cards, then have them match each reference and label its effect on tone, character, or theme.
Discuss, then write: Why might an author call a proud character Icarus instead of simply saying the character is reckless?
Play Figurative Language Relay: teams identify a device, paraphrase it, and earn a point after explaining its effect in the passage.
Collect one allusion or metaphor from an advertisement, headline, or song excerpt, then explain what shared knowledge makes it work.
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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.
- 11.RV.1.F
Explain the meaning of figurative language and literary and classical allusions and analyze their role in texts.
- 10.RV.1.F
The 10th Grade version of this standard.
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