Figurative Language

1. Figurative Language • is used when a writer describes something using comparisons that go beyond literal meaning. The words mean more than what they say on the surface. • is NOT MEANT to be interpreted by the definition of the words. • is used in poetry and fiction, as well as in everyday speech.

2. A simile is a comparison between two unlike things that have something in common. A simile always uses the words “like” or “as” to make a comparison. EXAMPLE: Her dress is as bright as the sun.

3. Let’s try to create a few similes! Leon’s hat is as ____ as … The deer ran like … ____ is as quick as lightening. ____ is as solid as a rock. *Be sure to highlight the words which make each a simile.

4. A metaphor is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that have something in common. A metaphor DOES NOT CONTAIN the use of the words “like” or “as”. EXAMPLE: Her dress is the bright sun.

5. Let’s try to create a few metaphors!!! Use the following similes to create metaphors… Similes My friend is as tall as a willow tree. Rebecca is like a sharp knife. Her dress is as colorful as a rainbow. It is raining like bullets. Metaphors My friend is a tall willow tree. Rebecca is a sharp knife. Her dress is a colorful rainbow. It is raining bullets.

6. Onomatopoeia is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. These words help us form mental pictures about the things, people, or places that are described. EXAMPLES: buzz, bang, pop, sizzle, roar

7. Write all of the onomatopoeias in this poem. Onomatopoeia every time I see ya My senses tell me hubba And I just can’t disagree I get a feeling in my heart that I can’t describe It’s sort of lub, dub, lub, dub A sound in my head that I can’t describe It’s sort of zoom, zip, hiccup, drip Ding, dong, crunch, crack, bark, meow, whinnie, quackOnomatopoeia in proximity yaRearrange my brain in a strange cacophony I get a feeling somewhere that I can’t describe It’s sort of uh, uh, uh, uh A sound in my head that I can’t describe It’s sort of whack, whir, wheeze, whine Sputter, splat, squirt, scrape Clink, clank, clunk, clatter Crash, bang, beep, buzz Ring, rip, roar, retch Twang, toot, tinkle, thud Pop, plop, plunk, powSnort, snuk, sniff, smack Screech, splash, squish, squeak Jingle, rattle, squeal, bong Honk, hoot, hack, belch

8. Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. DO NOT confuse a hyperbole with a simile or metaphor (because it often compares two items). However, the difference is that with a hyperbole the comparison is an exaggeration. EXAMPLES: I could sleep for a year. I nearly died laughing.

9. What is the exaggeration in the following hyperboles? I had a million dishes to wash last night. Susan ate a million doughnuts this morning. Can you think of a hyperbole?

10. Repetition is when one or more words are repeated to show urgency or importance. EXAMPLE: Dig it oh dig it oh dig it oh!

11. Are you ready?!?!?!? Class Poem Write one line of poetry that tells what one of the boys in Tent D might be thinking as he is digging his 5 foot hole. This will be turned into a class poem.

12. EXAMPLE!!! Dig it oh ohoh, dig it I don't have to dig tomorrow because I have the gold tube.Dig it oh ohoh, dig it I wish I could talk to my mom and tell her I'm sorry.Dig it oh ohoh, dig it Mr. Sir's sunflower seeds were easy to snatch.Dig it oh ohoh, dig it That Stanley thinks he's tough, but I'm tougher.Dig it oh ohoh, dig it

13. It’s SHOW TIME!!! Dig it oh ohoh, dig it __________________________________________Dig it oh ohoh, dig it __________________________________________Dig it oh ohoh, dig it __________________________________________Dig it oh ohoh, dig it __________________________________________Dig it oh ohoh, dig it __________________________________________

14. Personification is when an author gives an idea, object, or animal human characteristics or traits. EXAMPLE: The treedanced in the wind. The tree is the object….danced is the human characteristic.

15. A few other examples of personification…. The camera loves me! The car sprinted down the road. The sun greeted me this morning. Can you think of an example of personification?

16. Alliteration is the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables. When writers want to emphasize certain words, they may use alliteration. EXAMPLE: Sally sold seashells at the seashore.

17. Highlight circle similes, underline metaphors, draw a rectangle around alliterations, highlight hyperboles in yellow & highlight repetitions in another color.“If Only” The old man’s been stealin’She’s holding her grievance for a hundred-odd yearsWe all keep believin’That history repeats itself year after year All I fear's that the future is worseWe have to give in to the hundred-year curseSweat in the sun like we’re digging a graveDig deep enough and our fortune we'll save(chorus)If only, if onlyThe woodpecker sighsThe bark on the trees was as soft as the skiesAs the wolf waits below hungry and lonelyHe cries to the mo-oo-nIf only, if onlyChasing the skyA beautiful wifeYou'll make mistakes And it’s my back that breaksAnd forever my past steals my lifeTo submission I’m beatBut there’s hope beneath these feet Blisters and bloodAnd the sun makes you blindDon’t let it eatTill it can’t help but be kindCause you know what’s importantWith your back to the wallYou can break metal chainsAnd you’re friends don’t let you fall (chorus)I’m a soulBut I find myself lentThat is no useWhen I’m finding my history, finding my historyI am no plane, I’m more like a featherThat is no useWhen I’m finding my history, finding my historyI am no plane, I’m more like a featherBut I can’t fly away without finding myself(chorus)(repeat chorus)

18. Directions: When you are finished, put your quiz stuff on the cart in the back of the room and start on this vocabulary activity. Vocabulary words: simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, repetition, personification, and alliteration