Figurative Langage

What is Figurative Language? Figurative language or speech contains images. The writer or speaker describes something through the use of unusual comparisons, for effect, interest, and to make things clearer. The result of using this technique is the creation of interesting images.

Uses words to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Imagery Uses words to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

or The clouds were hanging over the valley The clouds stretched out over the valley like a soft cotton blanket.

Alliteration The 'sound' of a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or consonant (other letters of the alphabet) is repeated, for poetic effect. Sometimes called a Tongue Twister. Betty Botter bought some butter, but, she said, the butter's bitter; if I put it in my batter it will make my batter bitter, but a bit of better butter will make my batter better. So she bought a bit of butter better than her bitter butter, and she put it in her batter and the batter was not bitter. So 'twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter

Assonance The repetition of internal vowel sounds. Doesn't have to rhyme!! Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese. The pain may drain Drake, but maybe the weight is fake.

An overused expression Cliche An overused expression swim like a fish Kim can swim. Kim can swim well. Kim swims like a fish.

Hyperbole BIG exaggeration, usually with humor My dog is so ugly, he has to sneak up on his dish to eat! If I don't get these jeans, I will DIE!

Idiom Idioms are word combinations that are idiotic! Crazy! Nuts! etc. In other words, idioms have meanings that can't be figured out by looking up the words in the dictionary. They have meanings that are understood by people who speak that language, but are very hard to understand for people who don't speak that language.

Horse Play Cry your eyes out

Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it. Onomatopoeia Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it. BOOM!!!!

To give non- human things human qualities Personification To give non- human things human qualities The earth coughed and choked in all the pollution.

Compares two unlike thing using the words like or as. Simile Compares two unlike thing using the words like or as. I’m as hungry as a horse! He’s as sneaky as a snake.

Compares two unlike things directly WITHOUT using like or as. Metaphor Compares two unlike things directly WITHOUT using like or as. He hair is silk.

The wild & wooly walrus waits and wonders when we’ll walk by. Alliteration The 'sound' of a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or consonant (other letters of the alphabet) is repeated, for poetic effect. Sometimes called a Tongue Twister The wild & wooly walrus waits and wonders when we’ll walk by. Assonance The repetition of internal vowel sounds. Doesn’t have to rhyme. I made my way to the lake Cliché An overused expression. No pain, no gain Hyperbole BIG exaggeration, usually with humor. It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. Idiom A saying that does not make literal, logical or grammatical sense but people within the culture understand its meaning. Don’t let the car out of the bag. Onomatopoeia Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it. Splish, Splash! Personification To give non- human things human qualities. The flowers danced in the breeze. Simile Compares two unlike thing using the words like or as. The parking lot was as slick as an ice rink. Metaphor Compares two unlike things directly WITHOUT using like or as. The parking lot was an ice rink.