Figurative Language

Simile A simile compares two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” or “than.”

Simile “I came in like a wrecking ball, I never hit so hard in love.” (Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”) “You hear my voice? You hear that sound? Like thunder, gonna shake the ground.” (Katy Perry, “Roar”) “Real G's move in silence like lasagna.” (Lil Wayne, “6 Foot, 7 Foot”) “Like a sprained ankle, boy, I ain't nothing to play with.” (Drake, “Forever”) “How could you be so cold as the winter wind when it breeze, yo?” (Kanye, “Heartless”)

Metaphor A metaphor compares two unlike things WITHOUT using the words “like” or “as” or “than.”

Metaphor “Fame made me a balloon ‘cause my ego inflated.” (Eminem, “The Monster”) “I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space… because I’m happy.” (Pharrell, “Happy”) “My heart's a stereo, it beats for you so listen close.” (Gym Class Heroes, “Stereo Hearts”) “You’re my kryptonite, you keep making me weak.” (One Direction, “One Thing”) “You are the thunder and I am the lightning.” (Selena Gomez, “Naturally”)

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate sounds

Onomatopoeia “You’re gonna hear me roar.” (Katy Perry, “Roar”) “Tick tock on the clock, but the party don’t stop.” (Ke$ha, “Tik Tok”) “Can't you hear that boom badoom boom, boom badoom boom bass?” (Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”) “RRRRAOWR, RRRRAOW, like a dungeon dragon, change your little drawers ‘cause your pants were saggin’.” (Busta Rhymes, “Scenario”)

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of beginning consonant sounds

Alliteration “Going cuckoo and kooky as Kool Keith.” (Eminem, “The Monster”) “Best believe somebody’s paying the pied piper.” (Eminem, “Lose Yourself”) “You’re a shooting star I see.” (Rihanna, “Diamonds”) “I got that summertime, summertime sadness.” (Lana del Rey, “Summertime Sadness”)

Personification Personification is when you give human-like qualities to objects that are NOT human.

Personification “You start to scream as horror looks you right between the eyes, you’re paralyzed.” (Michael Jackson, “Thriller”) “No sun will shine in my day today, the high yellow moon won’t come out to play.” (Bob Marley, “Concrete Jungle”) “Our hearts are hungry for a food that won’t come.” (Kris Allen, “Live Like We’re Dying”) “Every whisper, every sigh eats away at this heart of mine.” (Calvin Harris, “Sweet Nothing”)

Hyperbole Hyperbole is extreme exaggeration.

Hyperbole “When you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile.” (Bruno Mars, “The Way You Are”) “Cry me a river, go on and just cry me a river. (Justin Timberlake, “Cry Me a River”) “Sun-kissed skin so hot we’ll melt your popsicle.” (Katy Perry, “California Girls”) “So happy I could die, be your best friend, I’ll love you forever.” (Lady Gaga, “So Happy I Could Die”)