FIGURATIV

E LANGUAGE

F I GU R I N

G IT O

U T

FIGURATIVE AND LITERAL LANGUAGELiterally: words function exactly as

definedThe car is blue.He caught the football.

Figuratively: figure out what it means

I’ve got your back.It’s raining cats and dogs.

SIMILE

Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”

Examples:

The metal twisted like a pretzel. She is as sweet as candy.He eats like a pig.

IMPORTANT!Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a

simile.A comparison must be made.

Not a Simile: I like pizza.

Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

METAPHORTwo things are compared without using “like” or “as.”

Examples:

All the world is a stage.My brother is a pig.She has a stone heart.

PERSONIFICATIONGiving human traits to objects or

ideas.

Examples:

The sunlight danced.Water on the lake shivers. The streets are calling me.

HYPERBOLEExaggerating to show strong feeling

or effect.

Examples:

This class is taking forever.My house is a million miles from here.She’d kill me.

UNDERSTATEMENTMaking something seem smaller or less

significant. The opposite of hyperbole.

EXAMPLES:

I’ll be there in one second.I kind of forgot my homework.This won’t hurt a bit.

QUIZOn a separate sheet of paper…

1. Write your NAME and CLASS (i.e. 6A)2. I will give an example. 3. You will write what type of figurative

language it is. (i.e. simile) *Spelling counts.4. You MAY use your notes.

1

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

2

Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and

queens.Is it…

simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

3

Can I see you for a second?

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

4

The sun was beating down on me.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

5

The flag flies like a kite in the sky.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

6I'd rather take baths

with a man-eating shark,

or wrestle a lionalone in the dark,

eat spinach and liver,pet ten porcupines,

than tackle the homework,

my teacher assigns.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

7Ravenous and savage

from its longpolar journey,

the North Wind

is searchingfor food—

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

8The tree of liberty must be refreshed

fromtime to time with the blood of patriots

andtyrants.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

9

Can I have one of your chips?

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

10In a house the size of a postage stamp

lived a man as big as a barge.His mouth could drink the entire riverYou could say it was rather largeFor dinner he would eat a trillion beansAnd a silo full of grain,Washed it down with a tanker of milkAs if he were a drain.

Is it…simile metaphor personificationhyperboleunderstatement

LET’S REVIEW

Correct any answers you got wrong.

1

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

It is…simile

Define

2

Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and

queens.It is…

metaphor

Define

3

Can I see you for a second?

It is…understatement

Define

4

The sun was beating down on me.

It is…personification

Define

5

The flag flies like a kite in the sky.

It is…simile

Define

6I'd rather take baths

with a man-eating shark,

or wrestle a lionalone in the dark,

eat spinach and liver,pet ten porcupines,

than tackle the homework,

my teacher assigns.

It is…hyperbole

Define

7Ravenous and savage

from its longpolar journey,

the North Wind

is searchingfor food—

It is…personification

Define

8The tree of liberty must be refreshed

fromtime to time with the blood of patriots

andtyrants. It is…

metaphor

Define

9

Can I have one of your chips?

It is…understatement

Define

10In a house the size of a postage stamp

lived a man as big as a barge.His mouth could drink the entire riverYou could say it was rather largeFor dinner he would eat a trillion beansAnd a silo full of grain,Washed it down with a tanker of milkAs if he were a drain.

It is…hyperbole

Define

PRACTICE ACTIVITYWith a partner, you will create two of

each of the five types of figurative language.

* You will be sharing one of each with the class.

* They can be phrases you have heard before, but they can’t be ones we used as examples when we were learning about them.

REMINDERSSimile: Comparison using “like” or “as”Metaphor: Comparison WITHOUT “like” or “as”Personification: Giving human traits to objects

or ideas.Hyperbole: Using exaggeration to express

strong emotion.Understatement: Making something seem

smaller or less significant. (Opposite of Hyperbole.)