Figurative Language

Literal Language Definition: Words function exactly as defined Example: He caught the football.

Figurative Language Definition: Words are used in a way other than their literal sense to create a picture or image. Examples: Idioms, similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliteration

Simile Definition: Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.” Examples: The metal twisted like a ribbon. She is as sweet as candy.

Metaphor Definition: Two things are compared without using “like” or “as.” Examples: All the world is a stage. She has a stone heart.

Hyperbole Definition: a huge exaggeration to show strong feeling or effect Examples: My house is a million miles from here. My backpack weighs a ton.

Personification Definition: giving human traits to non-human things. Examples: The sunlight danced. Water on the lake shivers. The streets are calling me.

alliteration Definition: the repetition of first consonant sounds in a group of words Examples: Sally sells sea shells by the seashore.

onomatopoeia Definition: the use of words that sound like what they mean Examples: “pow” “thwhack”

Idiom Definition: an expression that means something other than the literal meaning of its words. Example: He’s pulling your leg.

allusion Definition: a reference to a person, place, or event from literature, sports, history, movies, or the arts Examples: He turned into Scrooge on Christmas Eve.

Guided Practice He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

Guided Practice I will read an example of figurative language. Raise your hand to identify whether it is an idiom, simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or understatement. You can use your notes, but be prepared to explain your answer.

Guided Practice Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.

Guided Practice Can I see you for a second?

Guided Practice The sun was beating down on me.

Guided Practice He kicked the bucket.

Guided Practice A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

Independent Practice On a separate sheet of paper, number one through six. I will read an example of figurative language. On your paper, identify whether it is an idiom, simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or understatement. You may use your notes, but be prepared to explain your answer.

Independent Practice I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.

Independent Practice Ravenous and savage from its long polar journey, the North Wind is searching for food—

Independent Practice He took me to the cleaners again.

Independent Practice The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Independent Practice I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

Answers to Independent Practice Hyperbole Personification Idiom Metaphor Understatement