Figurative Language

Examples: Simile Metaphor Alliteration Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Idiom

Similes are sentences that compare two unlike objects using like or as. The girl’s hair is as yellow as the sun. The boy runs like a rabbit.

"What Happens to a Dream Deferred?" by Langston Hughes Does it dry up  like a raisin in the sun?  Or fester like a sore--  And then run?  Does it stink like rotten meat?  Or crust and sugar over--  like a syrupy sweet?  Maybe it just sags   like a heavy load.  Or does it explode? 

A comparison must be made. Important! Using “like” or “as” doesn’t always mean it is a simile! A comparison must be made. Not a Simile: I like pizza. Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

Metaphors are sentences that state one thing is another to show a likeness between the two using the words is, am, are, was, and were. That report was dynamite! The boy is an egghead.

Picture Puzzle Piece by Shel Silverstein One picture puzzle piece Lyin' on the sidewalk, One picture puzzle piece Soakin' in the rain. It might be a button of blue On the coat of the woman Who lived in a shoe. It might be a magical bean, Or a fold in the red Velvet robe of a queen. It might be the one little bite Of the apple her stepmother Gave to Snow White. It might be the veil of a bride Or a bottle with some evil genie inside. It might be a small tuft of hair On the big bouncy belly Of Bobo the Bear. It might be a bit of the cloak Of the Witch of the West As she melted to smoke. It might be a shadowy trace Of a tear that runs down an angel's face. Nothing has more possibilities Than one old wet picture puzzle piece. The Hunt        My sister once again  is on the prowl A lioness hunting her prey Searching for something  lost long ago  I hope it won’t ruin her day. Like a detective she snoops In dizzying loops Until she picks up on a clue A little white bottle  she once thought long gone At last she has located her glue

Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning consonant sound in a group of words. Stan the strong surfer saved several swimmers on Saturday. Tiny Tommy Thompson takes toy trucks to Tina’s on Tuesday.

The friendly gates welcomed us. Personification is sentences that give inanimate objects a human characteristic. The flowers danced in the wind. The earth choked from all of the pollution.

Hyperobles a statement that is exaggerated for effect to show strong feeling. His feet are as big as a barge. I tried a thousand times.

Onomatopoeia is sound words. Vroom Swish Boom Beep Click-clack Tick-tock

Idioms are sentences that cannot be understood by the meanings of their separate words. (You have to figure out what it really means) I’m in hot water with my mom! Are you feeling blue today?

Can you name each type of figurative language?

The Christmas tree was a jewel in the forest. metaphor

I am so mad I could spit fire. hyperbole

Grandpa was sleeping as soundly as a bear in hibernation. simile

The boy can swim like a fish. simile

The lady was a singing bird. metaphor

The old lady was moving like a snail. simile

Steve was a leaping frog as he jumped the brook. metaphor

You crack me up! idiom

I’m in the doghouse! idiom

Great Job!!!