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Figurative Language . Why use figurative language?. It makes my writing interesting. It is a way to “show”, which is better than “tell”. It creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Why understand figurative language?. Improves my reading comprehension.
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Why use figurative language? • It makes my writing interesting. • It is a way to “show”, which is better than “tell”. • It creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
Why understand figurative language? • Improves my reading comprehension. • Helps me understand the progression of plot. • Helps me understand the motives of characters. • Requires me to draw inferences – so gives me practice with this skill.
How can we understand figurative language? • I must know the difference between the literal meaning of figurative language and the figurative meaning of figurative language. • Literal Meaning: What it means if I accept it at face value – what it says “right there”… • Figurative Meaning: What it means when I explore how the author is using the figurative language; what the author is trying to say about an event, setting, or character.
Simile Definition: Figure of speech where two unlike things are compared using like or as. Example: My brother is as loud as a police siren. Literal meaning: When Matt’s brother opens his mouth, we hear a loud siren wailing. Figurative meaning: Very, very, very loud.
Metaphor Definition: Figure of speech where one thing is referred to as if it were another; comparison of two unlike things Difference between simile and metaphor: Metaphor does not use like, as. Metaphor: • Example: My arm is a soggy waffle. • Example: Mrs. Hynes is a bear today. • Example: The snow was the cool delicious milk in my cereal bowl. • Example: Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.
Personification • Definition: A type of figurative language where a nonhuman subject is given a human characteristic. • Example: Sorrow knocked on my door, but I was afraid to answer. • Example: Trees danced in the wind.
Idiom Definition: Expression that has a meaning particular to a language or region Example: Break a leg. Literal meaning: Right there meaning – break your leg. Figurative meaning: Good luck.
Other idioms • They’re dropping like flies. • Face the music. • Pull out all the stops.