Essential Question: How can figurative language enhance a writer’s work?

 A tool an author can use to describe something in a new or creative way.

 A reference to a well-known event from literature, history, or another field of knowledge.  Example: While Stevie was trying to explain the missing cookies, I could see his nose growing. ◦ What is being alluded to in this sentence?

 An expression that has been used so many times by so many people that it has become stale and lost its effectiveness.  A good writer will avoid using clichés because they suggest a lack of creativity.  Complete the following clichés: ◦ What goes around _______ ◦ Better late than ______

 A word or expression used when you want to be less direct in talking about a subject that may be sensitive or embarrassing.  Example: I have to go to the bathroom.  If you were setting up a blind date for a shy and awkward friend, what euphemisms could you use to describe him or her?

 Extreme exaggeration  Example: This suitcase weighs a ton!  Create your own hyperbole about how hungry you are before lunch.

 A word, phrase, or expression that has meaning beyond the literal meaning of the word(s)  Example: It’s clear as a bell that you’re going bananas because your girlfriend has you under her thumb? ◦ What are the three idioms in this sentence? ◦ Can you rewrite the sentence to have the same meaning without the idioms?

 Vivid sensory description  Authors use imagery to help their readers see, hear, smell, taste, and even feel what they are reading about.  Think of the lunchroom. Can you describe the scene using all five of your senses?

 A word whose sound imitates the sound of the object or action it is describing.  Examples: gobble, pop, squeak, click, splash  Can you create a sentence with one of these examples?

 An implied comparison between two unlike things  Example: All life is an experiment –Emerson  Create your own metaphor for life. ◦ Life is a _______ ◦ Explain the significance of your metaphor

 A figure of speech that brings together two contradictory terms  Example: old news, original copy, jumbo shrimp  I have a great live video of the dancers’ performance. ◦ What is the oxymoron in this sentence? ◦ Can you create a sentence with the oxymoron genuine imitation?

 Giving human qualities to animals or objects.  Example: The sun smiled on Sally’s class picnic. ◦ What is being personified? ◦ Based on this sentence, describe the day of the picnic.

 A statement that compares two unlike things and uses the word “like” or “as.”  Example: Her eyes twinkled like stars in the sky. ◦ How does this simile help the you understand how the speaker feels about her eyes? ◦ Complete the following simile: Keeping a secret is like … ◦ What does your simile explain about keeping secrets?

 Something that represents an idea beyond itself.  Example: The bald eagle represents the United States. ◦ What is another symbol for the United States?

 Highlight all key terms, and underline main ideas.  Write a reflective summary. Think about: ◦ Why do writers use figurative language? ◦ How does it help writers express meaning? ◦ How does it help readers understand meaning? ◦ Wouldn’t it just be easier if everyone spoke literally all the time?