Figurative LanguageFiguring it Out

Figurative and Literal Language

Literally: words function exactly as definedThe car is blue.He caught the football.

Figuratively: figure out what it meansI’ve got your back.You’re a doll.

^Figures of Speech

SimileComparison of two things using

“like” or “as.”

Ex:

The metal twisted like a ribbon. She is as sweet as candy.

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.”

Ex:

All the world is a stage.Men are dogs.She has a stone heart.

PersonificationGiving human traits to objects or

ideas.

Ex:

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

HyperboleExaggerating to show strong

feeling or effect.

Ex:

I will love you forever.My house is a million miles from

here.She’d kill me.

UnderstatementExpression with less strength than

expected.The opposite of hyperbole.

Ex: I’ll be there in one second.

This won’t hurt a bit.

IDIOMIn other words, idioms have meanings that

can't be figured out by looking up the words in the dictionary.  They have meanings that are understood by people who speak that language, but are very hard to understand for people who don't speak that language. 

Ex: I couldn't believe he actually passed himself off as a native speaker.

Everybody has at least one skeleton in their closet.

Those types of problems are just swept under the rug.

AlliterationAlliteration is when a writer repeats

the consonant sounds at the beginnings of words. For example, in “My puppy punched me in the eye,” the words “puppy punched” are alliterative because they both begin with “p.”

Ex: My puppy punched me in the eye.My rabbit whacked my ear.My ferret gave a frightful cryand roundhouse kicked my rear.

AssonanceAssonance is when a writer repeats the

vowel sounds in the stressed syllables of words. For example, in the line ”My rabbit whacked my ear,” the words “rabbit whacked” are an example of assonance because they both contain a “short a” sound on the stressed syllable.

Ex: My lizard flipped me upside down.My kitten kicked my head.My hamster slammed me to the groundand left me nearly dead.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia is defined as a word,

which imitates the natural sounds of a thing, which it describes. It creates a sound effect that makes the thing described, making the idea more expressive and interesting.

Ex: The buzzing bee flew away.The sack fell into the river with a splash.The books fell on the table with a loud

thump.He looked at the roaring sky.The rustling leaves kept me awake.

QuizOn a separate sheet of paper…

1. I will put an example of figurative language on the board.

2. You will write whether it is an simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or understatement.

3. You can use your notes.

1

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

2

Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.

3

Can I see you for a second?

4

The sun was beating down on me.

5

A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

6I'd rather take bathswith 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.

7Ravenous and savage

from its longpolar journey,

the North Wind

is searchingfor food—

8The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

9

Can I have one of your chips?

10I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,Welling and swelling I bearin the tide.Leaving behind nights of terror and fearI rise

Answers1. Simile2. Metaphor3. Understatement4. Personification5. Simile6. Hyperbole7. Personification8. Metaphor9. Understatement10. Metaphor