Figurative LanguageGrade 8 Literacy

Definition:Figurative language is a tool that an author employs to help the reader visualize what is happening in a story or a poem. Some common types of figurative language are: simile, metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom, puns, and imagery.

SimileA simile is a comparison using like or as. It usually

compares two dissimilar objects. For example: His feet were as big as boats.

MetaphorA metaphor states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison, but it does not use like or as to make the

comparison. For example: Her hair is silk.

Identifying Similes and Metaphors

Decide whether each sentence contains a simile or a metaphor. Write the word simile if the sentence contains a simile. Write the word metaphor if the sentence contains a metaphor.

Example: The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery store shelves. Simile because it is a comparison using like or as.

SIMILES or METAPHORS?

1. As the teacher entered the room she muttered under her breath, “This class is like a three-ring circus!” 2. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack.3. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.4. I feel like a limp dishrag.5. Those girls are like two peas in a pod.6. The fluorescent light was the sun during our exam.7. Nobody invites Mr. H to parties because he is a wet blanket.8. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath.9. Brennan was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.

A Dream Deferredby Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore – And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.Or does it explode?

The Base Stealerby Robert Francis

Poised between going on and back, pulledBoth ways taut like a tightrope-walker,Fingertips pointing the

opposites,Now bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ballOr a kid skipping rope, come on, come on,Running a

scattering of steps sidewise,How he teeters, skitters, tingles, teases,Taunts them, hovers like an ecstatic

bird,He's only flirting, crowd him, crowd him,Delicate, delicate, delicate, delicate – now!

Similes: The base stealer is pulled both ways like a tightrope-

walker bouncing tiptoe like a dropped ball or a kid skipping rope hovers like an ecstatic bird

Analysis: Francis' word choice--tightrope, tiptoe, taut, fingertips, teeters, skitters, tingles, teases-captures the intensity of a speedy base runner at first base during the late

innings of a tight game.

It's the word choice along with the similes that makes this poem masterful, not to mention the alliteration

and consonance involving the “t” sound.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps on the back of the winand floats downstream till the current endsand dips his wings in the orange sun raysand dares to claim the sky.But a bird that stalks down his narrow cagecan seldom see through his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to sing.The caged bird sings with fearful trillof the things unknown but longed for stilland is tune is heard on the distant hill

for the caged bird sings of freedomThe free bird thinks of another breezean the trade winds soft through the sighing treesand the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawnand he names the sky his own.But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreamshis shadow shouts on a nightmare screamhis wings are clipped and his feet are tiedso he opens his throat to singThe caged bird sings with a fearful trillof things unknown but longed for stilland his tune is heard on the

distant hillfor the caged bird sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou

Metaphor: The entire poem is a metaphor, with the caged bird representing those who have not

freedom. Let's take a look at the second and third stanzas: But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage / Can seldom see through his bars of rage / His wings are clipped and his feet are tied / So he opens his throat to sing. / The caged bird sings with a fearful trill / Of

things unknown but longed for still / And his tune is heard on the distant hill for / The caged bird sings of freedom.

Analysis: A caged bird is unable to enjoy the freedom of other birds due to its cage, clipped wings, and tied feet. African-Americans during Angelou's time were restricted by unfair laws and societal oppression. Freedom is symbolized by the caged bird's beautiful song. As long as

the bird is in the cage, he will not reach his true potential. Although the context of the poem is important, one shouldn't limit its application to one group of people or one period of time. A caged bird could be any group of oppressed people. It could mean

individuals. The cage could represent society, physical barriers, fear, addiction or any self-defeating behavior, with the bird's song representing the true self that longs for

something greater in life.

METAPHOR FOR A FAMILY

My family lives inside a medicine chest:Dad is the super-sized band aid, strong and powerful

but not always effective in a crisis.Mom is the middle-size tweezers,

which picks and pokes and pinches.My little brother is the single small aspirin on the third shelf,

sometimes ignored.Muffin, the sheep dog, is a round cotton ball, stained and dirty,

that pops off the shelf and bounces in my way as I open the door.And I am the wood and glue which holds us all together with my love.

THE 2ND OF JULY

My family is an expired firecrackerset off by the blowtorch of divorce. We lay

scattered in many directions.My father is the wick, badly burnt

but still glowing softly.My mother is the blackened paper fluttering down,blowing this way and that, unsure where to land.

My sister is the fallen, colourful parachute,lying in a tangled knot, unable to see the beauty she

holds.My brother is the fresh, untouched powder that was protected from the flame. And I,

I am the singed, outside papers, curled away from everything, silently cursing

the blowtorch.

PersonificationPersonification is giving human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to inanimate (non-living) objects. For example: The window winked at me.

Identifying Personification

Write the object being personified and the meaning of the personification.

Example: The wind sang her mournful song through the fallen leaves. Answer: The wind is being personified. Sentence implies that it is a somber fall day and that it is a swirling wind.

IDENTIFYING PERSONIFICATION

1. The microwave timer told me it was time to turn my TV dinner.2. The video camera observed the whole scene.3. The strawberries seemed to sing, “Eat me first!”4. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.5. The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers.6. The water beckoned invitingly to the hot swimmers.7. The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning hours.8. The china plates danced on the shelves during the earthquake.9. The car engine coughed and sputtered when it started during the blizzard.

Two Sunflowers Move in the Yellow Room.

"Ah, William, we're weary of weather,"said the sunflowers, shining with dew."Our traveling habits have tired us.Can you

give us a room with a view?” They arranged themselves at the windowand counted the

steps of the sun,and they both took root in the carpetwhere the topaz tortoises run

Personification: "Ah, William, we're weary of weather," / said the sunflowers, shining with dew. / "Our traveling habits have tired us. / Can

you give us a room with a view?”

Analysis: Sunflowers can't speak...unless they're part of a William Blake

poem. These two jovial talking sunflowers contribute to the poem's mood. They seem like jolly good sunflowers, don't

they? This poet believed human fulfillment comes from being one with nature and that nature is a a living thing.

USING PERSONIFICATION #1Personify the following sentences. Change the words in parentheses to words that would describe a human’s actions.

1. My bedroom door (opened)…2. The puppy (barked) when…3. The leaf (fell)…4. The flashlight (went on)…5. The CD player (made a noise)…6. The space shuttle (took off)…7. The net (moves) when the basketball…

USING PERSONIFICATION #2Choose a word from List A that names something in nature. Choose a word from List B that names an action. Write this word to the word from List A. For example: stone listens

LIST A LIST Bsun tellsmoon showsstars remindssky teachessea listensstone remembersnight bringsmountain looksdawn dancesmorning dreamsrain guidesstreams takes

USING PERSONIFICATION #2Choose a word from List A that names something in nature. Choose a word from List B that names an action. Write this word to the word from List A. For example: stone listens Then expand your words into a sentence. Example: The stone listens carefully to the grass as it grows around it. Write on one subject, or describe other objects in nature. Put them into a poem.

Example:Night, it reminds me of yesterday.The sun listens to the messages from the clouds.Moon, look for me on the field.Sea, guide me to you.Dawn, bring me to the new day.

USING PERSONIFICATION #3

WASH THOSE BLUES AWAYI…guzzle gallons of soapy water,Eat mounds of soiled and smelly clothes,Get indigestion from socks and underwear,Belch and burp and vibrate until someone pumps my stomach and takeseverything outexcept one red sock

USING PERSONIFICATION #3

THINGS TO DO IF YOU ARE A PAPER BAGTote a tasty lunchBe a perky puppetHide a hideous faceRemember a phone numberCrouch under cooling cookiesBlow yourself up and

BURST!

AlliterationAlliteration is the repetition of the initial sound in two or

more words. For example: fancy fish

USING ALLITERATIONCreate a tongue-twister. Choose a letter (remember to stay consistent with sound – candies and celery do not share the same initial sounds) like p,s,t, or any other letter you like. Use a dictionary if necessary and make a list of words beginning with the letter you have chosen. Combine as many of your words as possible into a sentence.

ExampleSully serenaded his sweetheart, Sally Smith, by singing softly while she swung sideways on the swing set.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia is the official term for words that sound like what they mean. For example: buzzed, crackled,

hummed

Examples

Example:

The soda went clug, clug, clug down her throat as she guzzled it.

Using OnomatopoeiaFill in the blanks in the sentences below using

onomatopoeia.

1. Beneath her feet, the crystal snow __________.2. The mosquitoes __________at the window screen.

3. The child __________happily over her blocks and toys.4. The sheep dog, its paw torn and bleeding, __________at

the door.

Idiom: Phrases that are not literal

Example:I can’t help you right now. I’m all

tied up!

Hyperbole : an exaggeration

Example:

He was huge. He had to be the most gigantic 6th grader that ever lived!

Irony: sarcasm/ the opposite of an expected outcome

Example:

I was just thrilled that there was a pop quiz. I didn’t even do my homework!

Imagery: descriptive language- sensory

detailsExample:

The sweet almond and pumpkin aroma of the tea brought back memories of cool August evenings at home.

The sea is… The sea is…a lion’s roar a shiny blue sheet hugging the shorea shark’s restaurant blue nothingnessa quilt of blue a deadly suffocating machinea surfer’s paradise water, alivea leaking ink cartridge white horses riding on a blue carpetthe eyes of a fair haired child fun, surfing on the wavesthe sound of crashing wavesanother world waiting to be discovereda blue lagoon a giant puddleGod’s tears a blue blanket in the distancea mermaid’s kingdoma flooded landa fish’s homea bowl of salty waterliquid against a velvet sky

Which are your favourite images? Why?

The dark is… The dark is…a swallowed night scary and unknownan icy blanket covering the world a creeping black monstera blanket of black a deep dark holea sea of shadows seeping into every corner the final sleepa place where nightmares live a mysterious cavea sleeping potion carried around the world a bottle of Cokea place where light can’t show the retreat of the suna place where horror draws you in lonelinessblack tights over your head an oily seasomething black a black cat at nightwhere nobody goes the edge of the universea dark cupboard cold, black, silencea witch’s cauldrondeathblack as blackthe night sky

Which are your favourite images? Why?

Symbolism: something that represents another thing or idea

Examples: An olive branch is a symbol of_________

Red is often symbolic of ____________

Let’s Practice.Name that literary device

When Sara went swimming she was the fastest fish in the water.

Name that literary device

In math class, John got the right answer and the teacher said, “You sure hit the nail on the head.”

Name that literary device

Drip drop drip went the leaky water faucet.

On Your ownName that literary device

1) The teacher gave us so much homework. This is going to take forever to finish.

Name that literary device

2) Sam was like a broken record player in the way he would repeat himself over and over.

Name that literary device

3) After three hours of questioning and the suspect had still not given up any information, the detective knew he would be a tough nut to crack.

Name that literary device

4) “Time to take out the trash,” said Billy’s mom.

“Oh great,” said Billy as he rolled his eyes. “That sounds like a ton of fun.”

Name that literary device

5) Rebecca was a grasshopper when she jumped high up into the air.

Name that literary device

6) As the door opened with a loud creak, the scent of freshly baked muffins poured over me. My mouth began to water and my stomach let out a low rumble. I was certainly hungry.

Name that literary device

7) As Jacob stared up at the

Canadian flag flowing in

the wind, he could not help

but think about all the

things that flag stood for.

The flag was so much more

than just sewn cloth.

Name that literary device

8) The rain drops raced down the outside of the window before they relaxed in a spreading puddle.

Name that literary device

9) Thump thump thump thump went my heart as the doctor listened with a stethoscope.

Answers

1) Hyperbole 6) Imagery

2) Simile 7) Symbolism

3) Idiom 8) Personification

4) Irony 9) Onomatopoeia

5) Metaphor

To sum it all up…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c610IA02SaI