Figurative Language, and Literary and Poetic Devices A matter of speaking Created by Elayne Anderson, Spring 2007

What is Figurative Language? Figurative language is a way of using language to expand the literal meanings of words and give them a new or more interesting twist. For example, instead of saying “Lee was mad”, we might say, “Steam came out of Lee’s ears and he stomped down the hall like a crazed bull.”

What are Literary and Poetic Devices ? Literary Devices – –what a writer uses to develop style and convey meaning; –writer’s tricks of the trade; Examples used in poetry (Poetic Devices): imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia

Types of Figurative Language, Literary and Poetic Devices Metaphors Similes Idioms Personification Hyperbole Alliteration Onomatopoeia Imagery

Similes A comparison between two things, using the words like or as to connect the two. –Examples: That idea is as empty as my bank account. Life is like a dark pool of water.

Metaphors A comparison between two things that are not ordinarily alike. –Example: Life is a gift waiting to be opened.

Idioms Idioms are phrases that mean something different from the literal meaning of the words. –Examples: Mr. Wade will not put up with any excuse. Susan ran circles around Beth on the math test.

Alliteration Alliteration occurs when there is a repeated initial consonant sound in a phrase or sentence. –Examples: Seven slippery snakes slid slowly southward. Karen can’t count.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of a word that makes the same sound as its meaning or the same sound that the object actually makes. –Examples: The fire crackles and hisses. The seconds slowly ticked by.

Irony Irony is a discrepancy between what is said and what is meant, or what appears to be true and what is really true. –Example: It is ironic when a happy-go-lucky clown turns out to be the saddest person in town.

Personification Personification gives human characteristics to nonhuman things. –Example: The lightning reached down with forked fingers and scratched the Earth.

Hyperbole Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration used to increase the effect of a statement. –Example: I have asked you a million times to clean your room.

Imagery Imagery adds details that appeal to the senses, often using adjectives. –Example: Sweet, slow drops of deep purple juice drip from the corners of my mouth and flow in little blueberry rivers down to my chin.

Which is it? Now is time to test your knowledge. Read the example and tell which type of figurative language is being used.

Which is it? I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. Hyperbole

The city lights shimmered like stars in a far-off galaxy. Simile

Bob’s big brown eyes bulged in anger. Alliteration

His new car was a rocket that propelled him down the highway. Metaphor

The tree heard the thunder and shook in fear. Personification

The waves slapped gently at the shore. Onomatopoeia

She sings at the top of her lungs. Idiom

The sun is like a yellow ball of fire. Simile

The mother touched her daughter’s soft, silky hair. Imagery

Although he was very wealthy, Ebenezer Scrooge paid his workers very little money. Irony