Figurative Language is also called figures of speech. It changes the literal meaning of words • to express complexity, • to capture a physical or sensory effect, or • to extend meaning. There are a number of figures of speech. Some of the more common ones are:

Simile Making a comparison between unlike things, using “like” or “as.” Forrest Gump’s famous simile is “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Metaphor Making a comparison between unlike things without the use “like” or “as.” An example is, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul.” – Immanuel Kant.

Hyberbole An exaggeration. I told you a million times to be quiet. For example: I told you a million times to be quiet. You never speak to me. The teacher gave us tons of work. He ate a thousand pounds of pizza.

Giving human qualities to an animal, thing or idea. Personification Giving human qualities to an animal, thing or idea. The wind screamed my name. The window flew open. The book jumped out of my locker.

Someone who tells the story. Narrator Someone who tells the story. There are 3 types: Protagonist - main character Observer - person who is indirectly involved in the story Non-participant - not at all involved, can be omniscient (knows everything)

Tone The attitude an author takes toward the audience, subject or character. The tone is conveyed through the author’s words and details. Think of when someone says, “Don’t use that tone with me!” Your tone can change the meaning of what you say.

A scene in a narrative that returns to an earlier time. Theme A theme is the message the author is conveying. This message is usually about life, society or human nature. It is universal and NOT SPECIFIC to a story Flashbacks A scene in a narrative that returns to an earlier time.

Irony is a literary device for conveying meaning by saying the exact opposite of what is really meant. (Sarcasm is one kind of irony. It is praise which is really an insult. Sarcasm generally involves malice, the desire to put someone down, for example “This is my brilliant son who failed out of college.”

Life is filled with ironies. Listen to the following TRUE accounts… 1. The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later, they were both eaten by a killer whale. 2. Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn’t pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with “return to sender” stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb, he opened it and was blown to bits.

Dramatic Monologue • Dramatic says that it could be acted out, and is a form of drama, • while monologue defines it as a speech that one person makes, either to themselves or to another. • A dramatic monologue is written to reveal both the situation at hand and the character herself.

Genre Genre is a French word meaning kind or type. The major genres in literature are poetry, fiction, drama and essays. It can also refer to more specific types of literature such as comedy, tragedy, epic poetry or science fiction.

Satire: A work that makes fun of something or someone.

Proverbs or Maxims are old sayings which illustrate a truth. Genre Biographical text is an account of an individuals life, written by another person Proverbs or Maxims are old sayings which illustrate a truth. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” doesn’t mean you have to eat apples everyday. The general truth being communicated is that a diet that is rich in fruits can keep one healthy and not in need of medical care.

Mood Mood is the emotion that YOU feel while you’re reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others angry.

This may be an unfamiliar term. Foil Character This may be an unfamiliar term. A foil is a person who is paired with another character to develop the latter’s traits and personality by contrast. A foil is much like the twin character in class, rank, and background, but has opposing characteristics that provide a mirror to those of the paired character.

Paradox A seeming contradiction. Examples: “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” “You shouldn't go in the water until you know how to swim.” “Be cruel to be kind.”-from Hamlet by Shakespeare "Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." (C.S. Lewis to his godchild, Lucy Barfield, to whom he dedicated The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)

Symbolism:. The use of one thing to represent another Symbolism: The use of one thing to represent another. Example: A dove is a symbol of peace. The donkey symbolizes The elephant symbolize The flag the Democratic Party. the Republican Party. represents freedom.

Pun: The use of a word in a way that plays on its different meanings Pun: The use of a word in a way that plays on its different meanings. Example: Noticing the bunch of bananas, the hungry gorilla went ape. I recently spent money on detergent to unclog my kitchen sink. It was money down the drain.

Onomatopoeia A figure of speech in which words are used to imitate sounds. Examples : crash buzz quack zoom

Imagery Descriptive words or phrases that appeal to the 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell- creating a picture in the reader’s mind.