Figurative Language/Figures of Speech Ms. Marzullo

What is it? Figurative language is speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in  order to achieve a special effect or meaning.   A figure of speech is a word or phrase used in a non- literal sense to add rhetorical force to a spoken or written passage.. There are many different kinds of figures of speech, but we are going to focus on: -metaphor -onomatopoeia -simile -personification -alliteration -hyperbole

Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which is not literally applicable. Metaphors make comparisons without using the words like or as. Examples: Bobby is a pig when he eats. America is a melting pot. Her voice was music to his ears.

Simile A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using like or as. Examples “I’m sick as a dog!” “My boss smokes like a chimney.” Her grandmother is blind as a bat. “All that year the animals worked like slaves.”- Animal Farm

Metaphor or Simile?

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound or letter at the beginning of two or more words. Examples: Sarah sat silently in her seat. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Casey calmly climbed to the top of the mountain.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement or claim not meant to be taken literally. Examples: “I’m so hungry that I could eat a horse!” “You’ve told me this story a million times.” “His brain is the size of a pea.”

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the formation of words whose sound is imitative  of the sound of the noise or action that it makes. Examples: -Bang! -Crash! -Tick. Tock. -Click. Click. Click.

Personification Personification is the attribution of human characteristics to things, abstract ideas, etc. for literary or artistic effect. Examples: -The flower danced in the wind. -Beyonce’s new album flew off the shelves when it was released. -She didn’t realize that opportunity was knocking at her door.

Where is figurative language used? Figurative language is often used in writing such as poetry or prose, but it’s not only used there. We see and hear figurative language every day without even realizing it! Figurative language is often used in songs and advertisements. Let’s take a look!

Figurative Language in Music “My heart’s a stereo. It beats for you, so listen close.” (metaphor) - Maroon 5, “Stereo Hearts” “Boom! Clap! The sound of my heart. The beat goes on and on and on and on.” (onomatopoeia) – Charli XCX, “Boom Clap” “Shawty’s like a melody in my head that I can’t keep out.” (simile) – Sean Kingston, “Replay” “Still my guitar gently weeps.” (personification) –The Beatles, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” “I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don’t be afraid. I have loved you for a thousand years. I’ll love you for a thousand more.” (hyperbole)- Christina Perri, “A Thousand Years” “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.” (alliteration) – “Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell

Figurative Language in Advertisements

Why use figurative language? Learning to use figurative language is an important step in developing a mature and rich writing style. Figurative language in a text strengthens or makes a point more compelling and effective. Figurative language can be used to elicit emotion, help readers form mental images, and draw readers into a work. Figurative language can make an abstract idea easier to understand.

Any questions? Now it’s your turn to write your own figures of speech! On your own or in pairs, come up with ten examples of figures of speech. No using any examples from the PowerPoint. Please provide at least one example of each type: metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and alliteration. Look back to your notes if you need to! If time allows, you may draw pictures to go along with your examples as well if you want, but that is not required.