Figurative Language and Poetry Terms

1. Figurative Language and Poetry Terms Similes and Metaphors

2. Figurative Language Figurative language is language that cannot be taken literally since it was written to create a special effect.

3. Literal Language Literal language is language without any exaggerations or alterations.

4. Similes • A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using like or as. • Examples: • He is as fast as a speeding locomotive. • Her hair is as smooth as silk.

5. Metaphors • A metaphor is a comparison of two unlike things not using like or as. • Examples: • The tired soldiers were robots marching home. • The fluorescent light was our sun during the test.

6. “A Red, Red Rose” • By Robert Burns • O My Luve’s like a red, red rose, • That’s newly sprung in June; • O My Luve’s like the melodie • That’s sweetly played in tune. • As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, • So deep in luve am I; • And I will luve thee still, my dear, • Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear • While the sands o’ life shall run. • And fare thee weel, my only luve, • And fare thee weel, awhile! • And I will come again, my luve • Tho’ it ware ten thousand mile!

7. “Flint” By Christina Rossetti An emerald is as green as grass, A ruby red as blood; A sapphire shines as blue as heaven; A flint lies in the mud. A diamond is a brilliant stone, To catch the world’s desire; An opal holds a fiery spark; But a flint holds a fire.

8. “Best Friend” By Jill Pryor She is an old tree trunk where we hide our secret notes She is penny chews bought from the old lady’s penny tray She is sardines and cake for tea on Wednesdays She is her mum, still very tall to my small She is dancing classes on Saturday mornings when we can’t go out to play She is Dandy the beagle who we walk by the river She is funny extra teeth that will have to come out before long She is a window full of jewels in her dad’s shop near the cathedral She is my best friend

9. “Stanley’s Lament” By Nancy Polette (based on the book Holes by L. Sachar) I am loneliness The dark of night is my cloak I vacation in the arms of solitude Sadness and depression are the cousins I would joyfully disinherit At a welcoming smile.

10. Homework: Simile and Metaphor worksheet