Language that does not have an exact meaning.

Identifying figurative and descriptive language will help me figure out what is meant by the text. 4 – use figurative and descriptive language to write a story or poem 3 – identify figurative and descriptive language in multiple texts 2 – identify figurative or descriptive language in a text 1 – define figurative and descriptive language

It is the language expanded beyond its usual exact meanings. In literal language the words convey meaning exactly as defined, whereas in figurative language there is room for interpretation. As the reader, you must figure out what is meant by the text. Are there creative comparisons of two things that I should not take literally?

when the speaker or writer gives human characteristics, qualities or traits to an object or idea Is the author giving human traits and actions to do things that are not human? Examples: The moon turned over to face the day. The traffic noises argued long into the night. The angry storm pounded the tin shelter.

when the writer or speaker exaggerates for emphasis or effect Are there descriptions that are extreme or exaggerations? Examples: Nobody listens to that song anymore. Old Mr. Johnson has been teaching here since the Stone Age. These shoes are killing me.

comparison between two unlike things using the word “like” or “as” Is the author making a comparison using the words like or as? Examples: The bottle rolled off the table like a teardrop. The handshake felt like warm laundry. Arguing with her was like dueling with hand grenades.

a comparison between two dissimilar things without using the word “like” or “as” to make the comparison Unlike a simile, a metaphor doesn’t say something is like another thing, it says that it is another thing. Is the author comparing two things by saying that one thing is another? Examples: The cast on Michael’s broken leg was a plaster shackle. She was just a trophy to Ricardo, another object to possess. Her eyes were fireflies.

most idioms are similes, metaphors, hyperboles, or other figurative language techniques an idiom refers to an expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language Examples: Bob’s new corner office was just the icing on the cake. (metaphor) The new car cost an arm and a leg. (hyperbole) Tom said that he changed, but actions speak louder than words. (personification)

A symbol is anything that represents an idea, person, event, or object. Does one thing represent or stand for another thing? How does the symbol help the author get across the lesson of the story (its theme)? Examples: A lion symbolizes bravery A fox symbolizes cleverness

A pun is a play on words that the sound the same, or almost the same, but have different meanings. Examples: She had a photographic memory but never developed it. A boiled egg every morning is hard to beat.

Which descriptions create images in my mind’s eye? How do the descriptions make me feel?

Onomatopoeia refers to descriptive words that imitate the sounds they describe. Do words sound like the objects or actions they are describing? Can I “hear” what is being described? Examples: Boom! Pow! Kazaam!

Alliteration is when authors repeat the same sound or letter in their writing to create a special effect. Is one letter of sound being repeated? What effect does that create? Examples: Sally sold sea shells down by the sea shore. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Imagery refers to descriptions that create mental pictures that appeal to the reader’s five senses. What words help me see, hear, smell, taste, or feel what is being described? Example: She had burnt-red blush and bone-white eye shadow set off with black eyeliner that stretched back in a line that ran to her hair.

Irony is language that describes something that is the opposite of what the reader might expect. Am I reading about a situation that is the opposite of what I would expect? Does the author or a character say something the opposite of what he or she means?