Figures of Speech are an important part of the English Language. The allusion is one of the most frequently used figures of speech. Allusion can be defined as an implied or indirect reference to an event, fictional character, person, or even a thing. It has the potential to add relatability, color, and spice to a literary text.
When students learn what allusions are, it can help them in developing their creative writing skills. Allusions are of various types, and they are used in various contexts to add relevancy to a literary piece. Reading various types of books and novels, poems, watching movies, and even observing carefully everyday life conversations can make students realize how commonly allusions are used.
There are various types of games and activities through which this tricky concept can be made easier and more interesting for students. Games and activities around allusion help students understand the concept, apply it and identify a different vocabulary for themselves. Check out different games and activities that are designed to foster a creative learning environment
Stimulating games to practice allusion
Games are an ideal tool to help students learn the concepts of their academic curriculum in a playful manner. Games help students learn and also develop various other skills like team building, social skills, and communication.
1. Guess Who?
This game encourages students to learn the concept of allusion and develops their social skills, just like other social skills activities. Students learn about relating different aspects of allusion into a statement.
- Divide the class into two teams
- Give them chits on which an allusion word is given
- Students have to act or even draw out the allusion word by giving hints to their teammates
- Most students have to act but a hint can be provided
- They can use one specific dialogue or an incident that can give a hint to teammates.
- For example: For Harry Potter, they can act as if they are riding on a broom or say a spell from the movie
- After guessing the word, students have to give a sentence with the appropriate usage of the allusion word
- The team that acts most of the words and gives the correct sentences win
This game develops the non-verbal skills of communication and also develops acting skills in the process. It helps in the application of the concept by encouraging them to construct the correct sentences.
2. Quiz
The quiz helps students recall, recognize and apply the concepts that they learn in class. It is helpful for teachers as well, as they understand where students are commonly making a mistake.
- Prepare a quiz with many types of questions
- The questions can include multiple choice questions, fill in the blanks, and identifying the character and writing a suitable allusion on the basis of it
- Divide the students into teams of 3 members each
- The team that solves most of the questions correctly wins the game
The quiz can help students learn how to differentiate between many types of figures of speech. It can encourage them to apply the concept of allusion. It also helps students in gaining confidence.
3. Just a Minute
This is a creative game that encourages students to be spontaneous. It is a challenging game at first, but once students get the hang of it, it becomes easier.
- Ask students to create a circle
- Divide the students into teams
- Give them a ball to pass
- Play the music and ask them to pass the ball around
- As the music stops, the student who has the ball is supposed to answer
- There are five categories including Cultural, Historical, Literary, Mythological, and Religious. For example – Newton, Einstein, and Gandhi are Historical Allusions while Hercules and Thor are Mythological Allusions
- Randomly assign one of the categories to the student
- Students have to give as many examples of that category in one minute
- The team with the most appropriate answers win
As students are exposed to different categories of allusion, they are more likely to relate to and understand the subject matter. This game helps to expand their knowledge through playfulness.
4. Guess and Form Sentences
The game helps students understand the placement of allusions in different sentences. It presents them with various elements that can be used as allusions.
- Make teams of two students
- Keep a bowl in which there are random pictures of various characters. For example Pinnochio, Cupid, Voldemort, and Mickey Mouse
- Students have to pick a picture and then make sentences having allusions regarding the character in the picture. For example, if the word is Voldemort then students may say – At times I feel my dog is Voldemort as he never smells the food I keep in the garden
- There can be a time limit
- The team with the most creative and right answers win
This activity can help students explore their personal creativity. It helps in broadening their imagination and developing spontaneity. Furthermore, this can also be one of the activities that help kids learn sentence-building.
5. Allusion Bingo
Bingo is a game that can be used to help students participate in class more actively. This game helps students learn through fun and play.
- Write 25 examples of allusion words. For example Kryptonite, Hercules, Galileo, Picasso
- Students are divided into teams of two
- Students have to write sentences with allusions in the appropriate boxes
- The teacher calls out random allusion words
- Students have to strike the statements that they have written for that allusion keyword
- The student that completes any line of the bingo, be it vertically, diagonally, or horizontally wins the game
This game can promote active participation, enthusiasm, and involvement in the class. It also teaches them the required skills of teamwork and coordination.
Fun and innovative activities to teach allusion
Activities help in creating an environment of involvement and enthusiasm. It encourages class participation and allows students to explore their creative potential.
1. Keyword
This is a simple yet powerful activity. This activity can make students think creatively and come up with an interesting answer to the question.
- Prepare chits having allusion words written in them
- Put those chits in a bowl
- Ask students to randomly pick up the chits
- Students have to make a meaningful sentence out of the word
This activity helps students in understanding the concept of allusions clearly and also helps them in the application.
2. Is it or Is it Not?
This activity challenges students to think about various possibilities that can occur and then answer accordingly. This looks like a simple activity at first, but can actually be a good brain teaser.
- Prepare a set of different types of sentences
- The sentences should be a mix, where some are allusions and some are not
- Read these sentences one by one to students
- Students have to guess if the sentences can be allusions or not and give the right reasons justifying their answer
This can be a challenging activity at first, as it requires students to think critically and hear carefully. It helps students differentiate between different types of sentences.
3. See and Reply
This is a fun-based activity that can lighten up the class to some extent while studying the concept of allusions. It can help in the association of visual imagery.
- Divide the class into teams
- Bring some pictures that describe allusion words. For example Super Man, Harry Potter, Rabbit Hole, Cupid, and so on
- Looking at the pictures, students have to form relevant sentences
- They may take reference to other members or situations to make allusions
This is an activity that can increase enthusiasm and participation among students. It can help in introducing the concepts of allusions creatively and make the concept easier in the beginning.
4. Unscramble
It helps students understand the concept of allusions and also encourages them to understand the meaning of a particular statement in detail.
- Prepare a set of statements
- Read those statements out in the class
- Students have to raise their hands to answer
- Students have to tell the allusion word and its meaning. They have to further explain the meaning of the whole statement. For example, if you say – Everyone’s Mother is a Wonder Woman, then students have to explain its meaning
This activity can help in enriching the writing and comprehension skills of students to a great extent.
5. Word Search
This activity aims at increasing the concentration of students. It helps in expanding their vocabulary or familiarity with allusion words.
- Give students a word search puzzle in which different allusion words are added
- Ask students to find as many allusion words as possible
- Later, discuss with the class the various words that students found
- Explain to them and make them understand why a word can be or cannot be an allusion word
This activity helps in promoting involvement among students. It helps in helping students learn the concept with ease and playfulness. Similarly, teachers or parents can use other vocabulary activities to help improve the lexicon of their little learners.
Conclusion
These games and activities can help students learn the concept of allusion with involvement and enthusiasm. Through the creative format of these methods, students can learn in a relaxed and playful manner. Learning of the concept as well as the application of the concept can be achieved by participating in these activities and games. This can help students remember the concept for a long time with clarity and ensure its usage correctly! Furthermore, parents and educators can also engage the students in some figurative language games to understand the other aspects of figurative language like similes, metaphors, and idioms better.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn