Figurate Language Mrs. Davis

What is Figurative Language? Ways of expressing ideas indirectly. Figurative Language is essentially language used in a special way to create a special effect made up of words and phrases which don’t mean what they first appear to mean.

Simile: Using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ to compare two completely opposite things. It’s a way to describe something in deeper detail by giving an example that is often exaggerated. Examples: She’s as grumpy as a bear! He smells like a flower. The fast food industry’s attempts to offer healthy menu options are like the 11th hour plea bargain of a death row inmate. "Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness" (Orwell 316).

Metaphor: A way of comparing two completely opposite things without using like or as. It’s a way to describe something in deeper detail by giving an example that is often exaggerated. Effective metaphors capture your reader’s attention, and by creating strong, clear, interesting images, help the reader better understand and remember your point. Examples: The financial crisis in America was a tsunami whose waves of destruction battered the economies of countries all over the world. Racial injustice is a disease that never seems to be cured.

Hyperbole: Think REALLLLLLLLYYYY EXTREME EXAGGERATIONS!!!!!!! An exaggerated statement or claim that is not intended to be taken seriously. Think REALLLLLLLLYYYY EXTREME EXAGGERATIONS!!!!!!! Examples: I’m so hungry I could eat a HORSE! We’ve been driving FOREVER!!!!! All of this homework is CRUSHING me!

Alliteration: The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. Examples: Presidents must always show patriotism, pride, persistence, and passion toward their career and their country. Sally sold sea shells by the sea shore.

Personification: Giving animals, inanimate objects, and ideas human form, personality, or emotion. Though you would not want to employ personification too much in an essay (the logic of your essay could become confusing), one or two uses of personification can make your writing more interesting and effective. Examples: With funding tight in many school systems across the country, art programs are being pick-pocketed by science and math programs. The past will always come knocking on your door. The wind whistled happily as it blew by.

Onomatopoeia: The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. Again… HUH?? Basically, a word that represents the SOUND that it is named after… think comic book words! Examples: WHAM! POW! BOOM! BANG! BURP! BUZZ! BARK!

Tone: Definition: Tone is the AUTHOR’S attitude toward the audience, the subject, or the character Explained: You can recognize the tone/attitude by the language/word choices the author uses. His language will reveal his perspective/opinion (that is, whether it is positive/negative) about the subject.

Describing Tone: Adjectives are used to describe tone Have a healthy “tone vocabulary” Consider some words that describe tone. Sarcastic, sincere, embarrassed, proud or frightened The key to choosing the correct tone is to carefully consider the author’s word choice.

Mood: Definition: Mood is the overall atmosphere of a piece of literature Explained: The mood is created by the setting, the characters, and their actions

Describing Mood: Adjectives describe Mood Remember that you are NOT describing the way the person feels Like tone, mood words can be either positive or negative Examples: relaxed, cozy, romantic, gloomy, frightening, somber

Whew! (onomatopoeia!) Let’s try practicing some of those terms! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08dyHbZQcE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14SEC1vuvoc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy6GzaLxhQw