Figurative language

1. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Figurative language

2. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Comprehension means understanding. The best way to understand a text is to ask yourself questions as you read it. The answers to some questions are easy to find, while the answers to others are more difficult to work out.

3. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Figurative language moves away from the straightforward, literal meaning of words. It encourages readers to form pictures in their minds. It can add interest, energy and even rhythm to writing.

4. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Onomatopoeia is language that imitates sounds. It adds interest and energy to a text. BUZZ What are the examples of onomatopoeia in these sentences? The bells tinkled merrily. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance. The birds chattered and twittered in the trees.

5. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound. It adds interest, energy and rhythm to writing. Thesnakeslithered sinuously across the stony ground. The repetition of b p g c k d and t creates a strong, harsh, heavy effect. The big bullbellowedwhen we got too close. The alliteration emphasises the bull’s size and strength. These heavy consonants are called plosives.

6. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 The repetition of f v s z w and r creates a soft, soothing, musical effect. The butterfly flitted from flower to flower, then floated away on a faint breeze. The alliteration emphasises the lightness of the butterfly. These soft consonants are called fricatives.

7. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 The repetition of m and n creates an effect similar to that of the fricatives. The stream murmured melodiously as it meandered down the mountain. The repeated msound emphasisesthe gentle, musical flow of the stream. These soft consonants are called nasals.

8. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 Find examples of alliteration in these sentences. For a moment he teetered at the top; then he tumbled down in a tangle of arms and legs. The cold water curled and coiled around her feet. Above the flames, swirls of smoke soared skywards. Brilliant bolts of light blazed across the heavens.

9. Comprehension Toolkit Figurative language 1 The End