Go Figure! Figurative Language 8 th grade Literature Mrs. Crawford

Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface. It usually gives us a feeling about its subject. Poets use figurative language almost as frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all. Printed QuizOnline Quiz

Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!” In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language.

Purpose of Figurative Language? Figurative language enriches the literal meanings of the words.

Types of Figurative Language Imagery Simile Metaphor Alliteration Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Idioms Assonance

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Words that create a picture in the reader’s mind. (ex: the sky was dark & gloomy) Sight Hearing Touch Taste Smell

Simile A simile compares two unlike things using the word like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor comparison between 2 unlike things USUALLY using the verb is, or some form of be. Make sure 2 things are being compared— just b/c the verb is may be used, does not mean there is a comparison Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped through the dessert.

Alliteration Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Example: She was wide-eyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

Personification A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind yells while blowing." The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.

Onomatopoeia The use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a loud ka-boom!

Hyperbole An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is used to emphasize a point or effect. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions.

Assonance Is the repetition of vowel sounds Example: “Till the shining scythes went far and wide And cut it down to dry.” R.L. Stevenson

Idioms A phrase or expression having a special meaning that cannot be understood from the individual meaning of its words. -If someone “lets the cat out of the bag”, they are doing what? -Revealing a secret -Today the phrase has nothing to do with a cat or a bag, but hundreds of years ago, it actually did.

Irony The exact opposite of a literal or normal meaning. (ex: The off- duty police officer was arrested for speeding) Types- –Dramatic Describes the situation in which the audience or reader of a play knows more about a character’s situation than he or she does.

Types of Irony continued… Types- –Situation Events are contrary to what is expected –Verbal Difference between what a character says and what he or she means.

Symbol Is something that stands for something else. (dove=peace)

THEME The message the author is trying to get across to the reader. Interwoven ideas that hold a story together –Step 1- Identify the big ideas or central topics –Step 2- Find out what the characters do or say that relates to the central topics –Step 3- State what the author says about life that relates to the central topics

REVIEW-Connotation The way “we” (author, society) use the word to mean---extra meaning IMPORTANT FOR FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Denotation Literal dictionary meaning

Dialect The type or variety of language spoken in a social group or certain location.