Literary Analysis

2nd–8th

Literary analysis teaches kids to read like writers — noticing craft, argument, and meaning beneath the surface.

13 articles

Skills your child will master

Identifying figurative language and literary devices
Analyzing tone, mood, and author's craft
Understanding point of view and narrative perspective
Evaluating arguments and evidence-based reasoning
Synthesizing themes across multiple texts

Starts with noticing (what did the author do?) and builds toward evaluating (why did they do it and how well does it work?) — so analysis feels like detective work, not busywork.

Poetry

2nd–6th1

How to Teach Poetry (Without Making Kids Hate It)

Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of literature, but it is also one of the most commonly dreaded. Here is how to teach poetry in a way that builds genuine appreciation — starting with sound and feeling, not analysis and dissection, so your child learns to love poems before learning to take them apart.

7 min read2nd–6th

Figurative Language

3rd–5th2

What Is Figurative Language?

A clear explanation of figurative language — the main types, how they work, and why authors use words in non-literal ways.

3 min read

How to Teach Figurative Language (Simile, Metaphor, Personification)

Figurative language is one of the first literary skills children encounter, but many struggle to move beyond simple identification. Here is how to teach simile, metaphor, and personification so your child understands why authors use them — not just what they are.

5 min read3rd–5th

Tone & Mood

4th–6th2

What Is Tone vs Mood?

A clear explanation of tone and mood in literature — what each one means, how to tell them apart, and how authors create them.

3 min read

How to Teach Tone and Mood in Literature

Tone and mood are among the most commonly confused literary concepts, and many children struggle to distinguish between them. Here is a clear framework for teaching both — starting with mood, building to tone, and connecting them to the author choices that create each one.

6 min read4th–6th

Argument Analysis

5th–7th1

How to Teach Analyzing Arguments in Nonfiction

Nonfiction reading requires a different set of analytical skills than fiction. Here is how to teach your child to identify claims, evaluate evidence, spot logical fallacies, and determine whether an argument actually holds together — skills that matter far beyond the classroom.

6 min read5th–7th

Author's Craft

5th–7th1

How to Teach Author's Craft and Style

Author's craft is the umbrella concept behind all literary analysis — the idea that every element on the page is a deliberate choice. Here is how to teach your child to notice, name, and interpret those choices so they move from passive reading to active analysis.

6 min read5th–7th

Evidence & Reasoning

5th–7th1

How to Teach Evidence-Based Reasoning in Reading

Many children can form opinions about what they read, but struggle to support those opinions with evidence from the text. Here is how to teach the critical skill of grounding interpretations in specific textual evidence — the foundation of every strong reader and writer.

6 min read5th–7th

Grade Expectations

6th–8th1

Reading Expectations for 6th Through 8th Grade

A clear guide to middle school reading expectations — from literary analysis and critical thinking to academic vocabulary and nonfiction fluency. Know what your child should be able to do and where gaps show up.

7 min read6th–8th

Rhetoric

6th–8th1

How to Teach Rhetoric and Persuasion

Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, and it is everywhere — in advertisements, speeches, social media, and everyday conversation. Here is how to teach your child to recognize persuasive techniques, understand how language is used to influence, and become a more thoughtful consumer of information.

6 min read6th–8th

Synthesis

6th–8th1

How to Teach Synthesis Across Multiple Texts

Synthesis — combining ideas from multiple sources into a new understanding — is one of the highest-level reading skills. Here is how to teach your child to move beyond analyzing individual texts and start drawing connections, finding patterns, and building original interpretations across multiple works.

6 min read6th–8th

Point of View

8th–Pre-K1

What Is Point of View in Literature?

A clear explanation of point of view — the difference between first person, second person, and third person, and why it matters in stories.

3 min read

Theme

8th–Pre-K1

What Is Theme in Literature?

A parent-friendly explanation of theme — the underlying message or life lesson in a story, and how it differs from topic and main idea.

3 min read

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