Understanding Figurative Language
Essential Questions What is figurative language? How can I interpret figurative language?
3 Language Types We’re going to look at two types of language: figurative language and literal language
4 More on Literal My meaning is exactly what I say. To be literal is to mean what you say. For example: If I tell you to sit down! I mean it literally: “sit down,” as in: “sit in your seat now, please.”
5 2 nd Figurative I’m not asking you become mice. I want you to be quiet. To be figurative is to not mean what you say but imply something else. For example: If, I tell you: “We need to be as quiet as church mice!”
6 Figurative vs. Literal Confused? Think of it this way: Literal as real Figurative as imaginary
7 Why Figurative Language? Figurative language creates images for the reader. It helps the reader imagine what it looks like, feels like, taste like, sounds like, etc.
8 Why Figurative Language? Figurative language is more descriptive then literal language and it is more interesting to read.
Kinds of figurative language SimilesAlliteration Personification There are actually many kinds of figurative language. In this presentation, we’ll focus on three
How can I interpret figurative language? To interpret figurative language means to understand what the author is trying to say To interpret figurative language, it’s important to understand how different kinds of figurative language work
How can I interpret figurative language? Personification is a kind of figurative language Personification means to give human thoughts and qualities to nonhuman objects
How can I interpret figurative language? The tree stood tall and proud by the curving path How does this sentence show personification?
How can I interpret figurative language? The tree stood tall and proud by the curving path How is this sentence showing the tree doing something that trees don’t really do?
How can I interpret figurative language? The tree stood tall and proud by the curving path That’s right! Trees can’t really feel proud. This is an example of personification.
How can I interpret figurative language? The tree stood tall and proud by the curving path What is the author trying to tell us about the tree?
How can I interpret figurative language? The leaves danced as they fell from the trees What are the leaves doing that leaves can’t really do?
How can I interpret figurative language? The leaves danced as they fell from the trees That’s right! Leaves can’t dance This is an example of personification What is the author trying to tell us about the leaves?
Let’s Review! What is figurative language? What is personification?
How can I interpret figurative language? A simile is another kind of figurative language A simile is a comparison between two unlike objects using “like” or “as”
How can I interpret figurative language? The four students sat down at the cafeteria table and ate like pigs What is being compared in this simile?
How can I interpret figurative language? The four students sat down at the cafeteria table and ate like pigs What is being compared in this simile?
How can I interpret figurative language? The four students sat down at the cafeteria table and ate like pigs That’s right! The author is comparing the students to pigs
How can I interpret figurative language? The four students sat down at the cafeteria table and ate like pigs What is the author trying to say about the way that the students are eating?
How can I interpret figurative language? The waves licked the shore like a kitten lapping milk What is the author comparing in this simile?
How can I interpret figurative language? The waves licked the shore like a kitten lapping milk That’s right! The waves are being compared to a kitten lapping milk
How can I interpret figurative language? The waves licked the shore like a kitten lapping milk What is the author trying to say about the waves—that they are rough and fierce, or small and gentle?
27 Alliteration Alliteration is a sentence or phrase that begins with the same sound. Tongue twisters are generally alliterations. For example: busy batters bat baseballs by bases.
Fast Rabbits Rabbits running so very fast In the field of green, green grass. Sniffing for scents of snack time treats, Hippity Hopping on their happy bunny feet. When carrots and other foods are found The rabbits prance and pounce. Can you find the alliteration?
Alliteration Fast Rabbits Rabbits running so very fast In the field of green, green grass. Sniffing for scents of snack time treats, Hippity Hopping on their happy bunny feet. When carrots and other foods are found The rabbits prance and pounce.
Alliteration Alliteration can also be as small a couple words Mr. Mercer Mara Mercer Alliteration is about sound not letters Fancy phones is an example of alliteration What can c’s alliterate with? How about g’s?
Which type of figurative language uses like or as to make comparisons? 31 1.Simile 2.Alliteration 3.Personification
Which type of figurative language repeats the same beginning sound? 32 1.Personification 2.Alliteration 3.Simile
Which type of figurative language gives human qualities to non-human things? 33 1.Simile 2.Alliteration 3.Personification
The airplane landed as gracefully as a ballerina. Which type of figurative language? 1.Personification 2.Simile 3.Alliteration
The airplane landed as gracefully as a ballerina Interpret the simile What is the author comparing? What is the author trying to tell us? What does it mean?
The airplane landed as gracefully as a ballerina Interpret the simile What is the author comparing? What is the author trying to tell us? What does it mean?
The water smashed angrily against the rocks. This is an example of? 1.Personification 2.Simile 3.Alliteration
The water smashed angrily against the rocks Interpret the personification! What is the water doing that water doesn’t really do? What is the author trying to tell us about the water? What does it mean?
Essential Questions Can you answer these questions? What is figurative language? How can I interpret figurative language?