Figurative Language

Prof. Esther Correa

Figurative Language

Figurative language makes a story

or poem come alive. It uses compa

risons, sounds, sensory images

and more to convey a special

message, idea or feeling.

Poetry will be used to study

different forms of figurative

language.

.

Similes

This technique compares two unlike objects using the words like or as.

Examples:

He is tall as a sunflower.

The snow was like a blanket.

Michael was a explosive as a volcano.

He is strong like an ox.

Metaphors

This technique compares two unlikely objects by suggesting that one thing is another.

Examples:

The sun is a bright spotlight in the sky.

Her face is a full moon.

His smile is a big heart.

Your love is the blood in my veins.

Hyperbole

The author uses this technique to cause an impression on the reader.He or she uses an exaggeration to make a dramatic, convincing statement in a more interesting way.

Examples:I will die if he sees me.The party lasted forever.He was so hungry that he could eat a horse.The baby cried like an ambulance siren.

Personification

A writer uses this technique by giving animals, nature and inanimate objects human characteristics. It is used widely in comedy and children stories.

Examples:The wind sings a song.The mouse said to the lion, “Please, don’t eat me.”The tree branches surrounded the baby with love and tenderness.

Similes and metaphors

Use similes and metaphors to describe yourself or others.

me

Exercises

Identify metaphor (M) and similes (S).

You are a tulip. ____________

The sun is a flame. ___________

He is as brave as a lion. _______

My hair is a charcoal. ___________

My love is like a red rose. _______

Your home is as peaceful as a lake.

_______

Her teeth are pearls. ________

Her hair is gold._____________

My teacher is as sweet as honey. ____

My father is a rock. _______

Practice writing with figurative language.

SimileThe cat was _______as ____________.

MetaphorThe clouds were ________________.

PersonificationThe storm _____________________.

HyperboleHe was so hungry ___________________.

Identify personification (P) and hyperbole ( H)

____The sun is looking at me.

____I’ve called you a hundred times.

____The walls have ears.

____The moon is sleeping.

____I think of you a million times a day.

_____The waves run fast.

_____I waited in line for centuries.