What is Figurative Language? "Speech or writing that does not use the literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning It often consists of strong adjectives or surprising comparisons.

“Hyperbole” Hyperbole = an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally. A huge exaggeration of the way it really happened.

“Metaphor” Metaphors build analogies or comparisons between two unlike things by stating that one “thing” is another “thing.” Ex: “All the world’s a stage, and men and women merely are the players” “His eyes were green leeks” “her eyes are twin sapphires.” “Beatrice is an angel”

“Simile” Similes are the kinds of literary clues that are just like a present; they keep on giving. Similes compare two unalike objects using the words “like” or “as.” Similes are tricky and can be used to suggest a variety of different meanings beyond their surface interpretation. Ex: For Antonio Marez, the river is like God. She was sleeping like a log. You look as fashionable as a hobo. Your brother is as crazy as a pet raccoon. Sam’s is as blue as a smurf’s.

“Alliteration” Alliteration is when the first consonant stays the same. Example: “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”

“Personification” a description of an object as being a living person or animal Ex: The sun shone brightly down on me as if she were shining for me alone. My pen bled ink all over the page. The wind gently caressed my face.

“Idioms” Ex: “kick the bucket” “break a leg” “buy a lemon” “chew my ear off” “pot-licker” “can’t cut the mustard” Idioms are common sayings or expressions that have a figurative meaning, but make no literal sense.

“Symbolism” Ex: Religions have different symbols to represent them. Symbolism = the practice of representing things by symbols, or of investing things with a symbolic meaning or character