Figurative Language How can I identify and interpret figurative language?

Simile A simile is a comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as”. That bug is as dead as a doornail. His back felt stiff as a board. Jason felt like a fish out of water. Ethan was like a bull in a china shop.

Famous similes “Your love is like a rollercoaster, baby.” “When I’m gone, I’ll miss you like a child misses her blanket.” “I love you like fat kid loves cake.”

Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that expresses an idea through comparison with another object, but metaphors do NOT use like or as. These biscuits are rocks. Raymond is a bear when he’s tired. After the hurricane, Jason was a wreck.

Metaphor Generally, metaphors use a form of the verb “to be.” See underlined examples above! These biscuits are rocks. Raymond is a bear when he’s tired. After the hurricane, Jason was a wreck.

Famous metaphors Generally, metaphors use a form of the verb “to be.” See underlined examples above! “We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year.” –Pink Floyd “You be the prince and I’ll be the princess. It’s a love story, baby, just say yes.” –Taylor Swift

Hyperbole Hyperbole is an exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Like other figurative language, hyperbole is used to create a certain image or idea, and is not meant to be taken literally. “Strong as 10 regular men, definitely.” –Aladdin “You know I’d walk 1,000 miles if I could just see you tonight.” –Vanessa Carlton “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

Personification When we give human characteristics to a non-human object or idea, it is called personification When we give human characteristics to a non-human object or idea, it is called personification. Have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are? They’re always laughing. Even in winter-time I’ve heard them under the ice.

Personification Obviously, we know brooks don’t laugh. However, by personifying the brooks, the author allows the reader to imagine the sound of the running water flowing in the brook. Have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are? They’re always laughing. Even in winter-time I’ve heard them under the ice.

Idioms An idiom is a phrase which people use in everyday language. It means something completely different than what the actual words mean. “Yeah, that will happen when pigs fly!” “Break a leg!”

onomatopoeia An onomatopoeia demonstrates a sound. They imitate the sound they sound like. clucked The noisy chicken clucked her head off! slurped The little kid slurped his soup. buzzed The bees buzzed into their hives.

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or a group of sounds in a series of words. The skunk sat on a stump. The sixth sheep is sick.

Proverb/Adage Proverbs are popular sayings which contain advice or state a generally accepted truth. It is old. Good things come to those who wait. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.

Tone Tone – The author’s implied attitude towards the subject and audience ex: informal or formal, bitter, playful, serious Never Never Disagree Never, never disagree with a shark beneath the sea, Least you feel a sudden crunch and discover you are lunch. -Jack Prelutsky.

Lines Line: text consisting of a row of words written. Who Has Seen the Wind? Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by.

Rhyme Scheme Rhyme Scheme-patterns of rhyme between the lines of a poem. Who Has Seen the Wind? Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by.

Stanza A stanza is a set of lines in a poem. Poetry paragraph. Who Has Seen the Wind? Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you: But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by.