Figurative Language Words used differently from their regular meaning to create pictures in your mind

Simile, Metaphor, and Personification

Simile A simile is used to compare two things It uses the words “like” or “as” to make comparisons.

Simile He is as fast as a speeding bullet Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get.

Simile My love is like a red, red rose. - Robert Burns

Metaphor Like As A metaphor is used to compare two things A metaphor does not use like or as Like As

Metaphor She was drowning in tears. Love hurts.

Metaphor All the world’s a stage, and we are merely players. William Shakespeare

Personification To describe something that is not human as if it is human.

Personification The earth is choking on all the pollution. The wind whistled loudly.

Personification Because I could not stop for Death, he kindly stopped for me; Emily Dickinson

Simile, Metaphor, or Personification? She was quiet as a mouse. Simile The world is listening. Personification He was steaming mad. Metaphor

Imagery and Hyperbole

Imagery Language that makes us use our senses. (See, Smell, Taste, Hear, Touch) It creates a mental picture.

Imagery The lightning lit up the night sky. The ocean pounded the shore. They were blanketed by fog.

Imagery Let us go then, you and I, when the evening is spread out against the sky. T.S. Elliot

Hyperbole Statements are exaggerated to create a strong feeling

Hyperbole She had the weight of the world on her shoulders. These books weigh a ton!

Hyperbole If I eat one more piece of pie, I’ll die! Shel Silverstein

Imagery or Hyperbole? I am dying of thirst. Unreal city, Under the brown fog of a winter dawn. Imagery

Now it’s in your hands… Can you juggle all the types of figurative language?