Tag: Close Reading

20 One-Pager Examples + Advice for Using Them in Class

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A one-pager is a creative, visually appealing assessment tool that gives students a chance to share their ideas across two modes: imagery and text. They’re my favorite tool, and I’ve been experimenting with them for the last decade. So let me share what I’ve learned.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

Originally pioneered by AVID, one-pagers are a solid toolbox go-to for English teachers, but really, they’re easily adapted to any discipline.

Students create one-pagers to convey their key takeaways from something (a book, an article, a unit, a poem, a documentary, a podcast, an exploration of theme, a science experiment, etc.). One-pagers help express what they’ve learned in a single page. The project lets them work on communicating ideas through a combination of modes. This is a key skill in many workplaces today.

As students think critically about what’s important, they also improve their retention of information. Sketching the details into their one-pagers helps different parts of their brain work together. (Check out this interview with ed-tech consultant and educator Jen Giffen to dig deeper).

Helping Reluctant Artists

You might be thinking, what about my art-haters in fifth period? The ones who moan at the mention of a marker?

Mike Rohde, inventor of sketchnotes, which are like one-pagers created on the fly, famously says they’re “ideas, not art.” This is a good thing to reinforce with your students. The goal here is not to get their one-pagers featured at the Met, but to tap their critical thinking and illustrate their understanding in memorable, insightful ways.

One way to help scaffold the one-pager process for kids feeling wary is to create a template, mapping out areas of the page and connecting them to what you’d like students to include. This template becomes a roadmap that every student can follow, though students who feel ready can go off-template, designing from the blank page.

For example, you might ask students to start an ELA one-pager by putting a key theme for a novel in the center of their paper, then illustrating it with a quotation, and adding a visual and some analysis of their own.

You might guide students to illustrate a range of Spanish verbs related to sports across the top of their one-pager, including the words, their definitions, and illustrations for each, before laying out your requirements for the middle and the bottom of the page.

Maybe you’d have students focus on the traits of a historical figure on one part of the page, while exploring her relationships in another, influences on her in another, and crucial events happening in her world in a visual timeline across the bottom.

Let’s look at a few examples from my discipline, English, to provide inspiration for your next one-pager project. A quick #onepagers search over on Instagram will show you many more.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

These one-pagers, focused on novels, a play, and a short story, showcase the potential role of a template in providing creative constraint, dividing the page and making it easy for students to map their ideas in the spaces provided.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

These character analysis one-pagers provide a little visual twist on a basic template, inviting students to focus in on four key characters from a novel to showcase their growth and development. A one-pager project doesn’t have to be a broad look at an entire text or unit. You can drill down to an important element or concept.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

These one-pagers showcase multimedia takeaways, offering students a focus point as they watch a film or listen to a podcast. This use is very similar to sketchnotes but with a bit more guidance for students.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

If you and your students like hexagonal thinking, then hexagonal one-pagers, an advanced twist that combines the discussion strategy with the one-pager concept, can provide an even deeper level of conversation.

Students first create hexagonal one-pagers to represent complex ideas in your unit. The hexagons showcase themes, characters, connecting texts, and more from Nic Stone’s novel Dear Martin.

Students begin by connecting their hexagons and discussing how the ideas relate. As they rearrange the pieces, new insights emerge. Finally, each group presents its web of connections to the class or writes about the reasoning behind its choices.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

Hexagonal one-pagers are also a fun go-to for building community. For this activity, invite your students to fill out hexagons about themselves before connecting them to those of others in the class, eventually creating a visual display of all the things the group has in common.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

One of my favorite recent twists on the one-pager is an open-mind project. In this version, the template provides a silhouette for a character in a text. Students then fill in key relationships, ideas, quotations, and traits for the character inside their head, while showcasing outside influences and key relationships around the head. For example, you can see open-mind one-pagers for Will Holloman, the main character in Jason Reynolds’ verse novel Long Way Down.

This approach can easily be adapted for other subjects too. In a history class, for instance, you might provide the outline of a country in the center of a one-pager, inviting students to fill it with what’s happening inside during a particular time period. Then, ask them to fill the outside with the influences of neighboring countries, major events, or artistic movements that are shaping the world at that time.

In a language class, you might add a silhouette for a famous leader or creator speaking the language of study. Have students fill the inside with what they know about them. Next, students will create illustrations and information about their actions, influence, and/or creations on the outside.

Courtesy of Spark Creativity

There are so many creative ways to use one-pagers, and it’s impossible to explore them all here! Just start experimenting, and see where it works with your class this year. Remember that a template with a clear set of expectations for what to put where is a great scaffold as students begin. And save time in class for a gallery walk and space on your walls for a bright display of one-pagers!

Plus, get our free Reading Comprehension Strategies Bundle.

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Betsy Potash

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October 16, 2025
Author’s Purpose: Teaching Guide and Examples

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As we teach students to think critically about texts, one of the concepts we cover is author’s purpose. Here’s what that term means and ideas for teaching it. (Be sure to grab our free printable bundle of author’s purpose activities too! Find it here.)

What is author’s purpose?

Author’s purpose is the term we use to describe why an author writes a particular piece. There are many reasons an author may write, of course, but we usually sum them up under a few major categories: persuade, inform, entertain, explain, and describe.

Recognizing the author’s purpose allows us to look at their writing more critically, analyzing its tone, content, and style. For instance, if we know an author is writing specifically to persuade us to their point of view on a topic, we can evaluate their statements with a more skeptical eye, looking for provable facts and potential bias. On the other hand, if an author is writing to entertain, we as readers don’t need to worry too much about whether they’re getting all the facts right or what they want us to believe about a particular topic.

Author’s purpose is a nuanced concept, as writers frequently have more than one purpose when writing. A fiction writer may want to entertain their audience but also inform them about a subject or persuade them to consider new points of view. As readers, we should consider all potential purposes to truly understand the text as we read.

Check out this video with a great explanation of author’s purpose from one of our teacher contributors:

Author’s Purpose Types and Examples

When we talk about author’s purpose, we use a few categories most frequently. Over the years, the initial three categories of “persuade, inform, and entertain” have been expanded to include “explain” and “describe.” Here’s a general definition of each, along with some examples.

Persuade

When writing to persuade a reader, an author attempts to convince a reader to adopt a particular point of view. They may do this with facts and data, persuasive language, or a combination of both. When you read persuasive writing, you should always do so with a critical eye, looking for bias and misinterpretation of information. (Learn more about critical thinking skills here.) Examples include:

Inform

As the name implies, this type of writing provides information to an audience, usually with a neutral tone. The author wants to educate the reader on a topic, presenting facts, evidence, and examples in a straightforward manner. (The article you’re reading right now is an example of informative writing!) When reading an informative piece, readers should remember to consider the reliability of the sources when determining the quality of the information. Examples of informative pieces include:

Entertain

When we think of authors who set out to entertain, fiction writing usually springs to mind. But nonfiction can also be entertaining, so don’t immediately rule out this purpose when you encounter a piece of nonfiction. This is especially true for humorous writing, travel writing, documentaries, entertainment and sports news, and even nonfiction books.

On the other hand, while some fiction writing is meant as pure entertainment, fiction writers can also have other purposes in mind. That’s one reason why we evaluate so many fiction texts more deeply: to understand what the author is really trying to say. Common entertainment writing examples include:

Explain

This is similar to “inform,” but it usually means a deeper dive into a topic. For instance, an informative text might tell you about the most popular foods in Greece, while an author whose purpose is to explain will actually give you the recipes and walk you through how to make those dishes. An informative encyclopedia article will give you an overview of the War of the Roses, while a textbook or nonfiction book on the subject will explain much more about the events and people involved. Examples include:

Describe

Descriptive writing helps the reader visualize the subject of the text. Authors give specifics like measurements and colors, along with expressive language that describes sensory experiences like sounds, smells, and tastes. The author’s purpose is to bring a subject to life for the audience with lots of vivid details. Examples include:

Plus, check out our free author’s purpose worksheet bundle.

We Are Teachers

Get our free worksheet bundle including three different author’s purpose activities.

What are your favorite ways to help students identify the author’s purpose? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

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Jill Staake, B.S., Secondary ELA Education

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August 19, 2024
55+ Metaphor Examples, Plus Clever Teaching Ideas
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Writers use figurative language like metaphors to bring their writing to life. But what exactly is a metaphor (and how is it different from a simile)? Learn more about this literary device, and get metaphor examples and teaching ideas for your students.

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a literary device that draws a comparison between two otherwise unrelated things. It’s used to make an idea more relatable to the reader, or to evoke an emotional response. Metaphors often use hyperbole, or exaggerated language, to paint a vivid picture.
- Example: Today’s history exam was a total nightmare.
Metaphors are examples of figurative language, where the words are meaningful but not strictly true. In the above example, the speaker doesn’t mean that they fell asleep during their exam and had a nightmare. Instead, they’re drawing a comparison between the two to help the reader understand how terrible the experience was.

Metaphor vs. Analogy

Metaphors are similar to another literary device, the analogy. However, a metaphor is used to evoke feeling and emotion. A writer uses an analogy to help the reader draw a logical conclusion. If you’re trying to figure out if a phrase is a metaphor or an analogy, ask whether it’s meant to provoke an emotional reaction or help a reader understand something through logic.
- Metaphor: Time is a remorseless river.
- Analogy: Time is like a rapid river, flowing remorselessly onward. Trying to swim upstream is futile; you must simply go where the currents take you.
Metaphor vs. Simile

To add to the confusion, similes are another type of figurative language comparison used as a literary device. In a simile, though, the writer uses the words “like” or “as” rather than making a direct comparison.
- Metaphor: The sound of her voice was music to their ears.
- Simile: Her voice was like music.
Learn more about similes here.

What are the different types of metaphors?

We can break metaphors down into specific types:

Standard

This is the most basic type of metaphor, in which the writer simply makes a stated comparison between two unrelated things.
- Standard metaphor example: Racism is a fatal disease for our society.
The direct comparison here is between racism and a disease, bluntly stated and easy to identify.

Implied

Implied: In an implied metaphor, the writer is more subtle, using imagery to evoke the comparison between two things.
- Implied metaphor example: It was time for Elijah to spread his wings and fly.
By using language about wings and flying, the author implies a metaphor between Elijah and a bird.

Visual

In a visual metaphor, an image replaces or reinforces the words. This classic public service announcement from the 1980s is an excellent visual metaphor example:

Extended

As the name implies, an extended metaphor is more than just one sentence. It can be a series of lines in poetry, or a theme carried through paragraphs (or an entire book) in prose. Analogies can seem like extended metaphors, but remember that analogies are meant to help the reader draw logical conclusions, while metaphors provoke an emotional response.
- Extended metaphor example: “The dim attic was a forgotten lifetime. Cobwebs in the corners were shadowy memories, and rusty locked trunks held the passed years. A layer of soft dust lay over all, a blanket of lamented time gone by.”
Each sentence in this paragraph extends the metaphorical connection between the attic and a life lived long ago.

Dead

The term “dead metaphor” can be used in several ways, but it generally means a metaphorical expression that has lost its power over time. This might be because the original meaning of a word has changed or that it has fallen out of use. A dead metaphor can also be an overused cliche, one that we’ve all heard so often it no longer has much impact.
- Dead metaphor example: That remark was really beyond the pale.
You’ve probably heard this phrase, but do you know what it actually means? Many years ago, “the pale” referred to a wooden stake used to mark a boundary line. To say something was “beyond the pale” meant that it crossed an accepted boundary. This phrase is still used today, though few know what it actually means, making it a dead metaphor.

Mixed Metaphors

What about the phrase “mixed metaphors”? Once again, the clue is in the name: A mixed metaphor is when the writer or speaker mixes two comparisons into one metaphor, making things more confusing instead of clearer. Mixed metaphors are often combinations of well-known phrases.
- We’ll cross that bridge when the ball is in our court.
This sentence combines two common metaphors. The first, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” compares dealing with an issue or making a decision to crossing a bridge. The second, “The ball is in our court,” makes a connection between taking your turn in a ball game and dealing with an issue or a decision. Put together, the two frankly sound a little bit silly, so strong writers try to avoid mixing metaphors.

General Metaphor Examples

We Are Teachers / RitaE via Pixabay
- Tom is the black sheep of his family.
- The vast parking lot was a Sahara under the relentless sun.
- As the children started to work, the classroom became a beehive of activity.
- Laughter is the best medicine.
- Time is a thief, stealing moments away before we know it.
- Her smile was a lighthouse, guiding him safely across the crowded room.
- Li’s anger was a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.
- Romance is the key to her heart.
- Olivia’s words were sharp daggers, cutting Jordan down to size.
- To Leslie, the vacant lot was a blank canvas, waiting to be turned into a beautiful park.
- Your bedroom is a pigsty—clean it up!
- A storm of emotions brewed deep inside, under Juan’s calm exterior.
- Life is a journey, so enjoy each step along the way.
- Her shrill laugh was nails on a chalkboard to me.
- Love is a rose, with sweet fragrance and sharp thorns.
- If I’m going to get all this work done on time, I’ll need to be a real machine today.
- With our boss out of town for the week, this place is a real circus.
- As she watched him sing, April’s face was an open book.
- Assad’s eyes were deep pools, drawing him in.
- Layla’s pride is her armor, protecting her from all attacks.
Metaphor Examples From Literature

We Are Teachers / aled7 via Pixabay
- “I’m a riddle in nine syllables.” (“Metaphors” by Sylvia Plath)
- “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” (As You Like It by William Shakespeare)
- “Hope is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul.” (“Hope Is the Thing With Feathers” by Emily Dickinson)
- “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” (Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)
- “Her mouth was a fountain of delight.” (The Storm by Kate Chopin)
- “Mr. Neck storms into class, a bull chasing thirty-three red flags.” (Speak by Laurie Anderson)
- “The sun was a toddler insistently refusing to go to bed: It was past eight thirty and still light.”(The Fault in Our Stars by John Green)
- “Light the first page, light the second page. Each becomes a black butterfly. Beautiful, eh?” (Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury)
- “He glanced out the rear window at the iron centipede of traffic.” (Sins of Two Fathers by Denis Hamill)
- “His grin is a large plastic comb of teeth.” (Anagrams by Lorrie Moore)
- “Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” (“Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas
- “Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky.” (Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran)
- “Time rises and rises, and when it reaches the level of your eyes you drown.” (The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood)
- “Fame is a bee / It has a song— / It has a sting— / Ah, too, it has a wing.” (“Fame Is a Bee” by Emily Dickinson)
- “Middle C is the belly button of the piano.” (I Could Tell You Stories by Patricia Hampl)
Metaphor Examples From Songs

We Are Teachers / Pexels via Pixabay
- “Baby, you’re a firework! Come on, let your colors burst.” (“Firework” by Katy Perry)
- “Love is a battlefield.” (“Love Is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar)
- “Life is a highway. I wanna ride it all night long.” (“Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane)
- “You are the sunshine of my life.” (“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder)
- “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time.” (“Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley)
- “I’m the sunshine in your hair / I’m the shadow on the ground.” (“I’m Already There” by Lonestar)
- “I’m the satellite, and you’re the sky.” (“Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon)
- “My heart’s a stereo / It beats for you so listen close.” (“Stereo Hearts” by Maroon 5)
- “You are the thunder and I am the lightning.” (“Naturally” by Selena Gomez)
- “I’m a hot-air balloon that could go to space.” (“Happy” by Pharrell Williams)
- “My lover’s got humor / She’s the giggle at a funeral.” (“Take Me to Church” by Hozier)
- “All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.” (“Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd)
- “And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger.” (“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor)
- “I got that sunshine in my pocket.” (“Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake)
- “You’re my kryptonite / You keep making me weak.” (“One Thing” by One Direction)
How To Teach Metaphors

In addition to sharing metaphor examples with students, try these smart teaching ideas.

Write paint chip poetry

Fabulous in Fifth via mrshallfabulousinfourth.blogspot.com

Kids will love this creative activity where they write color metaphors on paint chip samples. Hang a bulletin board full of them, and you’ll have a vivid metaphor display for the classroom!

Learn more: Paint Chip Poetry via Fabulous in Fifth

Mix and match similes and metaphors

Teaching in Room 6 via teachinginroom6.com

This split-page book is so much fun for kids to make, and it gives them practice with figurative language like metaphors, similes, and more.

Learn more: Mix-and-Match Metaphors via Teaching in Room 6

Take the metaphor challenge

Learning in Room 213 via learninginroom213.com

This one is great for middle or high school, since it can be a bit tough. Each student draws a slip of paper with a random word or phrase on it. Then they partner up and try to create a metaphor that links their two words together.

Learn more: Metaphor Challenge via Learning in Room 213

What are your favorite metaphor examples to use in the classroom? Come share your ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, 75+ Appealing Alliteration Examples (Plus Teaching Ideas).
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Jill Staake

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October 20, 2023