Go Figure!

Figurative Language English I

Mrs. Boyd

Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative

language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface.

n  It usually gives us a feeling about its subject. n Poets use figurative language almost as

frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all.

Recognizing Literal Language

“I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!”

n  In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten.

Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. (Most of the time, we use literal language.)

What is figurative language?

n Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

Types of Figurative Language

n Imagery n Simile n Metaphor n Alliteration n Personification n Onomatopoeia n Hyperbole n Idioms

Types of Figurative Language

n Assonance n Euphemism n Oxymoron n Pun n Paradox n Understatement n Allusion n Consonance

Imagery n Language that appeals to the senses.

Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

• Sight • Hearing • Touch • Taste • Smell

Simile n A figure of speech which involves a

direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny

arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor n A figure of speech which involves an

implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped

through the dessert.

Alliteration n Repeated consonant sounds occurring at

the beginning of words or within words. Example: She was wide-eyed and

wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

Personification n A figure of speech which gives the

qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind yells while blowing." The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can

yell.

Onomatopoeia n The use of words that mimic

sounds. Example: The firecracker made a

loud ka-boom!

Hyperbole n An exaggerated statement used to

heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several

million occasions.

Idioms n An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to

a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language.

Example: "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning "she is obsessed," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word.

Assonance n  Identity or similarity in sound between

internal vowels in neighboring words Example: On a proud round cloud in a white high night.

Euphemism n The substitution of an inoffensive term for

one considered offensively explicit.

Example: Um…I might get fired, so you can think of one…-Mrs. Boyd

Oxymoron n A figure of speech in which incongruous

or contradictory terms appear side by side.

Examples:

A fine mess. Absolutely unsure Alone together

Pun n A play on words, sometimes on different

senses of the same word and sometimes on the similar sense or sound of different words.

Example: I have a JOKE!

Paradox n A statement that appears to contradict

itself.

Examples: Nobody goes to that restaurant, it's too crowded. Don't go near the water until you've learned to swim. The man who wrote such a stupid sentence cannot write at all. If you get this message, call me; if you don't, then don't worry about it.

Understatement n A figure of speech in which a writer or a

speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is.

Examples: "It is just a little cool today" - when the temperature outside is 5° below zero. "I wouldn't say he was thin" - describing a very obese person. "It's just a scratch" - when there is a huge dent.

Allusion n  a passing or casual reference Examples: “This place is like a Garden of Eden.” The Garden of Eden was the paradise God made for Adam and Eve. “It is raining so hard, I hope it doesn’t rain for 40 days and 40 nights.” This makes a reference to the biblical story of Noah and the ark he built. He was told by God that it would rain for 40 days and 40 nights and flood the land.

Consonance n The recurrence of similar sounds, esp.

consonants, in close proximity Examples: Chilled cheesy chicken is quite tasty!

Figurative Language Resources

n Eye on Idioms (Online PPT) n Paint by Idioms (Game) n Alliteration or Simile? (Quiz) n Similes and Metaphors (PPT) n The Search for Similes, Metaphors, and

Idioms (PPT) n Alliteration (PPT) n Onomatopoeia (PPT) n Personification (PPT) n Hyperbole (PPT) n  Idioms (PPT) n Simile (PPT)

Teaching Similes and Metaphors n  Alliteration Lesson Plan and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/1allitera.htm n  Hyperbole- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/10lesson.htm n  Idiom Lesson Plan

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/6lesson.htm n  Imagery- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/imagery2.htm n  Lesson Plan for Puns

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/5lesson.htm n  Onomatopoeia- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/9lesson.htm n  Personification Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/7lesson.htm n  Proverbs- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/proverbs2.htm