Metaphors, Similes, Hyperbole, Personification, and Idioms Figurative Language and Imagery Metaphors, Similes, Hyperbole, Personification, and Idioms

Figurative Language is a writer’s tool helps the reader to visualize (see) what the writer is thinking puts a picture in the readers mind

Imagery What are your five senses? An image gives us a: -a visual picture -a sound -a feeling of touch -a taste, or an odor

An “image” is a word or sequence of words that refers to any experience of the five senses. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.

Simile (SIH-muh-lee) is a comparison between two or more things using the words like or as. I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti. We were as quiet as frightened mice. What is being compared?

The church is like a magical castle in the sky.

The lake is as a smooth as glass.

The trees are like a canopy protecting the road.

Metaphor (MET-uh-for) is a comparison between two or more things that doesn't use the words like or as. You are an ant, while I'm the lion. John’s mind is a computer. What is being compared?

The field is a rainbow of colors.

The leaves are a blanket covering the ground.

The clouds are balls of cotton.

Personification (per-son-if-ih-KAY-shon) is giving an animal or object human-like characteristics. The sky misses the sun at night. The flames ate hungrily at the burning house.

Personification is another kind of comparison. Animals, elements of nature, and abstract ideas are given human qualities. The stars smiled down on us. An angry wind slashed its way across the island.

Hyperbole (hy PER bo lee) is intentional exaggeration or overstating, often for dramatic or humorous effect. His smile was a mile wide. I tried a thousand times.

Hyperbole is common in humorous poetry. It can make a point in a light-hearted way. It can be used to poke fun at someone or something. Read this description of a town in the poem, “The People, Yes” by Carl Sandburg. It's a slow burg—I spent a couple of weeks there one day. Describe the town.

Idiom (ID-ee-um) Idioms are phrases which people use in everyday language which do not make sense literally but we understand what they mean. It was a piece of cake to install the new kitchen faucet.

An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its individual words. For example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggests that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to mean that it is raining hard.

To stick your neck out is to say or do something that is bold and a bit dangerous. A similar idiom is to "go out on a limb.“ In both idioms, the idea is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position. To break the ice is to be the first one to say or do something, with the expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that means something similar is "get the ball rolling."

Simile? Metaphor? Personification? Hyperbole? Idiom? What’s what? Simile? Metaphor? Personification? Hyperbole? Idiom?

Simile or Metaphor? The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery store shelves. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack.

EXAMPLES of __________: The sailboat danced gracefully past us. The once-proud trees bent meekly before the storm. The broad, flat rock lay sunning itself by the stream.

? Sometimes a writer will give human characteristics to nonhuman things such as objects, ideas, places, or animals. It helps the writer create an exciting picture in the reader’s mind.

"The town where I grew up is so isolated.... “It makes ghost towns look popular.” "I don't even know where it is!" “The only friend I had was a duck." "We had to drive to the city for gossip." “Paper, scissors, rock' is considered a high-tech game!" “Even insects won't live there."

a beehive of activity - a busy place, a room full of working people busy as a bee - busy a beehive of activity - a busy place, a room full of working people make a beeline - go straight towards the bee's knees - the best, superior, the cat's meow having bees in one's bonnet - to be up in a tizzy about something

To get long in the tooth means to get old To get long in the tooth means to get old. The expression was originally used when referring to horses since gums recede with age. So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.

__________ is common in tall tales. Here is an example: At three weeks, Paul Bunyan got his family into a bit of trouble kicking around his little tootsies and knocking down something like four miles of standing timber.

mile-high ice-cream cones

This is an ad for a play. It is an example of ____________.

Simile or Metaphor? I feel like a limp dishrag. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath. Ted was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.

The lights blinked in the distance. Your computer hates me.

I nearly died laughing.

To have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression to describe a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but also in a manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive." The person seems always ready for a fight.

Those girls are like two peas in a pod. The fluorescent light was the sun during our test.

__________ are phrases which people use in everyday language which do not make sense literally but we understand what they mean.

cat's meow - the top of the line play cat and mouse - to play with a person or animal in a cruel or teasing way fraidy cat or scaredy cat - a person who is afraid, a coward grin like a Cheshire cat - to have a big smile because of something you're really happy you did

What does this mean really?

It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature. Time marches on. It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.

I was hopping mad.

They ran like greased lightning. He's got tons of money. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. I have told you a million times not to lie!