Figurative Language

Figurative Language Figuring it Out

Figurative and Literal Language Literally:words function exactly as defined The car is blue. He caught the football. Figuratively: figure out what it means I’ve got your back. You’re a doll. ^Figures of Speech

Simile Comparison 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.

Metaphor Two things are compared without using “like” or “as.” Ex: All the world is a stage. Men are dogs. She has a stone heart.

Personification Giving human traits to objects or ideas. Ex: The sunlight danced. Water on the lake shivers. The streets are calling me.

Hyperbole Exaggerating to show strong feeling or effect. Ex: I will love you forever. My house is a million miles from here. She’d kill me.

Understatement Expression with less strength than expected. The opposite of hyperbole. Ex: I’ll be there in one second. This won’t hurt a bit.

IDIOM • In 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.

Alliteration • Alliteration 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.

Assonance • Assonance 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.

Onomatopoeia • Onomatopoeia 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.

Quiz On a separate sheet of paper… • I will put an example of figurative language on the board. • You will write whether it is an simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or understatement. • 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.

6 I'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.

7 Ravenous and savagefrom its longpolar journey,the North Windis searchingfor food—

8 The 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?

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

Answers • Simile • Metaphor • Understatement • Personification • Simile • Hyperbole • Personification • Metaphor • Understatement • Metaphor

Figurative Language