Figurative Language

What is figurative language? Figurative Language: words are used in an imaginative way to express ideas that are not literally true

Types of Figurative Language Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Idiom Oxymoron Paradox Symbol Pun Allusion Onomatopoeia Irony

Simile Simile: a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things using like or as Examples: 1. Anna’s smile was like a welcoming rainbow. 2. He was as scared as a cat.

Metaphor Metaphor: a comparison of two things that are basically unlike but have some qualities in common Examples: 1. He was a ghost moving among the guests. 2. New York City is a melting pot for different cultures in America.

Personification Personification: giving human qualities to an animal, object, or idea Examples: 1. The tree danced in the wind. 2. As I looked up in the night sky, the sparkling stars winked at me.

Hyperbole Hyperbole: a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect Examples: 1. I was so exhausted I could sleep for one hundred days. 2. There were a million people at the dance tonight!

Idiom Idiom: an expression whose meaning cannot be determined by its literal expressions Examples: 1. The boy decided to turn over a new leaf for this school year. 2. I am going to have to draw the line there; I will not do it.

Oxymoron Oxymoron: a figure of speech made up of contradictory parts Examples: Civil War Doing nothing Easy labor Good grief Hard cushion Minor crisis Quiet storm Upside down Well-preserved ruins

Paradox Paradox: a statement or situation that seems contradictory but reveals a truth Examples: 1. This is the beginning of the end. 2. Don’t go near the water until you’ve learned to swim.

Symbol Symbol: an object, character, or idea that is used to represent something else Examples: Death Chinese

Pun Pun: a play on words that are similar in sound but different in meaning; humorous Examples: 1. I used to sell computer parts, but then I lost my drive. 2. I used to be a Velcro salesman, but couldn’t stick with it.

Allusion Allusion: a reference to something outside the work in which it is found Example: 1. John never spends any money. He is no Scrooge, but he rarely buys anything unless it is essential. John is being referred to Scrooge in A Christmas Carol by Dickens.

Onomatopoeia Buzzzz… Moooo… Onomatopoeia: the use of words whose sounds echo their meanings Examples: Buzzzz… Moooo…

Irony Verbal Irony: the use of words to express the opposite of their literal meaning Situational Irony: an outcome contrary to what was or might have been expected

Practice on your own… Directions: Tell what type of figurative language is used in the following sentences. The boy was a caged lion waiting to escape. The rain tickled the leaves as it fell from the sky. I am so hungry, I could eat a house! The swan is as white as the snow falling. Please don’t cry wolf too many times.

Practice on your own… ANSWERS Directions: Tell what type of figurative language is used in the following sentences. The boy was a caged lion waiting to escape. metaphor The rain tickled the leaves as it fell from the sky. personification I am so hungry, I could eat a house! hyperbole The swan is as white as the snow falling. simile Please don’t cry wolf too many times. idiom