1 Language Types We ’ re going to look at two types of language: figurative language and literal language Objective: Use figurative language in writing.

2 Figurative vs. Literal To understand what figurative language is,one needs to understand the difference between figurative and literal

3 I am directly stating what I mean. To be literal is to state what you mean or mean what you say. For example: If I tell you to, “Stop whining!” I mean it literally, “Stop whining.” as in “Stop whining and put a smile on your face, please.” LET’S START WITH LITERAL

4 I mean exactly what I stated. Here’s another example: I’m tired and going home. This means “I’m tired and I’m going home.” There is no other meaning other than what is said.

5 FIGURATIVE I ’ m not suggesting we get into the freezer. To be figurative is to not mean what you say but to imply something else. For example: If I tell you, “Let’s go chill,”

6 It has nothing to do with temperature. “let’s go chill” … means let’s relax together and do something fun.

7 Literal vs. Figurative Confused? Think of it this way: Literal is stated directly Figurative is imaginary

8 Why Use Figurative Language? Also known as descriptive language, or poetic language, figurative language helps the writer paint a picture in the reader ’ s mind.

9 Figurative Language makes reading more interesting.

10 onomatopoeia alliteration simile metaphor personification idiom hyperbole Seven Techniques of Figurative Language

11 Onomatopoeia Words that make the sound they are representing. Examples of onomatopoeia: Bang! The gun went off! The basketball swooshed through the hoop.

12 Onomatopoeia

13 Alliteration Repeating the same initial consonant sound in neighboring words. Examples of Alliteration: Sally Sells Seashells By The Sea Shore Rolling, Racing, Roaring, Rapids

14 Simile Example of similes: She dances like a graceful swan. A simile is a figurative language technique where a comparison is made using like or as.

15 Complete your custom simile: The cat was as scary as a ____. The night is like a ____. The moon is like a ____ The scarecrow was as scary as a ____.

16 Metaphor A comparison that does not use the words like or as. Examples of metaphors: He is a golden god.

17 Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net. This metaphor compares Brian to a wall because __________. a. He was a strong tennis player. b. He was very tall. c. He kept missing the balls. d. His body was made of cells. LET’S PRACTICE!

18 Tammy was being compared to a hog because she __________. a. looked like a hog b. ate like a hog c. smelled like a hog d. was as smart as a hog We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.

19 The metaphor “ Cindy was such a mule ” compares Cindy to a mule because she was __________. a. always eating oats b. able to do hard work c. raised on a farm d. very stubborn Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind.

20 The cat was compared to a bolt of lightning because he was _______. a. very fastb. very bright c. not fond of fleasd. very old The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught his prey.

21 Personification Personification is a figurative language technique in which human characteristics are given to non-human things.

22 Example of personification: The heat ripped the breath from his lungs. Heat is the “thing” that is performing the human characteristic “ripped.” Does heat really rip? No! It means, of course, that the heat made it difficult for him to breathe.

23 The leaves danced in the wind. Do leaves really dance? Of course not! Close your eyes and picture leaves “dancing in the wind.” What do you see? Why do you think an author would choose to use “dancing” to show what the leaves were doing?

24 The sleeping water reflected the evening sky. Humidity breathed in the girl's face and ran its greasy fingers through her hair. The tree arrested the oncoming car. TAKE A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT YOU SEE IN YOUR MIND AND THEN SHARE OUT! Paint a picture in your head of the following “things” performing human characteristics:

25 Idiom An idiom is an expression that means something different than what the words actually say. Huh? Then why say it?

26 Idioms (like other types of figurative language) make reading more interesting! Remember what literal means? To mean what you say. An idiom is the opposite. An idiom is a “ figure of speech. ” It is figurative language. Imaginary. Remember, “ Let ’ s chill ” does not mean to walk into a freezer together!

27 There are tons of idioms. I ’ m sure you use several all the time, without thinking about it.

28 It ’ s difficult to understand an idiom all by itself. It needs to be in context to make sense. Take, for example, “ whacked ” and “ tangle. ” All by itself, what does “ whacked ” mean? What does “ tangle ” mean? IN CONTEXT: You are whacked if you want to tangle with him. Meaning. Man, you are crazy for wanting to fight with him. See how it changes? Listen up, dudes and dudettes!

29 Hyperbole Is when one exaggerates. We use hyperbole all the time when we want to impress or stress.

30 Hyperbole “ He never listens to his mom. ” Never? That is a very long time. His mom might want to have his hearing checked. Never is an exaggeration. For example:

31 Example: We have a ton of homework. Oh really? A ton is a thousand pounds. You would need to have big muscles and a HUGE backpack!

32 LET’S REVIEW Literal vs. Figurative Remember: Real vs. Imaginary