Go Figure! Figurative Language

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 Quiz Online 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.

What is figurative language? Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

Types of Figurative Language Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole

Simile A figure of speech that is a direct comparison between two unlike things, using the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor A figure of speech which is a comparison between two unlike things. A metaphor DOES NOT USE like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped through the dessert.

Personification A figure of speech that gives the human qualities to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind whistled while blowing through the trees." The wind cannot whistle. Only a human can whistle.

Hyperbole An exaggerated statement, stretching the truth Example: My mom has told me a million times to clean my room.

Figure It Out!!! The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining with all his might

Figure It Out!!! There’s a faucet in the basement / that had dripped one drop all year since he fixed it, we can’t find it / without wearing scuba gear.

Figure It Out!!! The leaves are little yellow fish / swimming in the river

Figure It Out!!! When the swarm of bees buzzed overhead, the sky turned dark as night

Figure It Out!!! The tabloids screamed their headlines at the customers walking by.

Figure It Out!!! What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”

Figure It Out!!! If you were only one inch tall, you’d ride a worm to school. / The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.

Figure It Out!!! The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining with all his might PERSONIFICATION

Figure It Out!!! There’s a faucet in the basement / that had dripped one drop all year since he fixed it, we can’t find it / without wearing scuba gear. HYPERBOLE

Figure It Out!!! The leaves are little yellow fish / swimming in the river METAPHOR

Figure It Out!!! When the swarm of bees buzzed overhead, the sky turned dark as night SIMILE

Figure It Out!!! The tabloids screamed their headlines at the customers walking by. PERSONIFICATION

Figure It Out!!! What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” SIMILE

Figure It Out!!! If you were only one inch tall, you’d ride a worm to school. / The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool. HYPERBOLE