Figurative Language Figuring it Out

Figurative and Literal Language Literally: words function exactly as defined The car is blue. He caught the football. Figuratively: figure out what it means I’ve got your back. You’re a doll. Figures of Speech

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

A comparison must be made. Important! Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile. A comparison must be made. Not a Simile: I like pizza. Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

Metaphor Compares two unlike things by saying that one thing is the other. Examples All the world is a stage. The icy water was a thousand stinging bees. She has a stone heart.

Personification A comparison in which a nonhuman subject is given human characteristics. Examples The sunlight danced. Water on the lake shivers. The streets are calling me.

Hyperbole Hyperbole is when the writer or speaker exaggerates for emphasis or effect. Examples: Old Mr. Johnson has been teaching here since the Stone Age. These shoes are killing me.

Idiom A common expression that means something different from the meanings of its individual words. Examples: That guy is always on the ball. That new car cost an arm and a leg The quarter back was running out of steam

Allusion Direct or implied references to people, places, events, literary works or artworks Example: “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.” – “Romeo” is a reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate lover of Juliet, in “Romeo and Juliet”.

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. It helps the reader imagine sights, sounds, textures tastes and smells. Examples The train thundered past. It was a silver blur.

Puns A pun is a play on words that produces a humorous effect by using a word that suggests two or more meanings, or by exploiting similar sounding words that have different meanings. Examples: The two pianists had a good marriage. They always were in a chord. I was struggling to figure out how lightning works, but then it struck me. The grammarian was very logical. He had a lot of comma sense. A chicken farmer's favorite car is a coupe.

Quiz On a separate sheet of paper… I will put an example of figurative language on the board. You will write whether it is an simile, metaphor, personification, conveys tone, or imagery. Some may have more than one answer. You can use your notes.

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

Simile

Always trust a glue salesman. They tend to stick to their word

Pun

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

Metaphor

The sun was beating down on me.

Personification

A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

Simile

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two-tired.

Pun

"When the volcano erupted, the nearby forest was swallowed up in dust and ash like Jonah”.

Allusion

She didn’t want to burn bridges, so she did not tell her boss what she really thought of him.

Idiom

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

Personification

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

Metaphor

Grasses Shimmer And shine Shadows withdraw And lie Away Like smoke

Simile, Personification

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

Metaphor