  The dictionary definition of a word  Example: Ornery- stubborn (adj.) The child was acting ornery and did not want to pick up his toys. Denotation

  the emotions that are felt when you hear or see a word Example: Test Connotation (Emotions) for word- Anxiety, Fear Tiffany wasn’t sure what to think when Suzie told her she missed the math test. Connotation

 Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!”  In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language.

  Use of words, phrases, symbols, and ideas in such a way as to create mental images for the reader Figurative Language

 Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface.  It usually gives us a feeling about its subject.  Poets use figurative language almost as frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all.

 Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!”  In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language.

  using sensory (five senses) words to create a mental picture.  Example: The blackberry cobbler bubbled in the oven. Imagery

  a repeating of the same sound at the beginning of words  Example: Sally sells sausage on Sunday. Alliteration

 Example of Alliteration Hear the loud alarum bells-- Brazen bells! What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells! -Edgar Allen Poe, "The Bells"

  an object or idea that represents a feeling or emotion  Example: A Four Leaf Clover symbolizes good luck. Symbol





  exaggerated statement  Example: His growling stomach could be heard miles away. Hyperbole



  comparing two things using the words like or as.  Example: The baby’s laugh is like flowers blooming in the spring. Simile

 Example of a Simile Dream Deferred What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? -Langston Hughes

  comparing two things without using the words like or as.  Example: A baby’s cry is a thundercloud ruining a perfect day. Metaphor

Example of a Metaphor Fame is a bee. It has a song— It has a sting— Ah, too, it has a wing. -Emily Dickinson

  words that sound like what they mean  Example: Boom! The car crashed into the wall. Onomatopoeia

  giving non- living things human characteristics  Example: The stubborn pen refused to write, so I bit it angrily and the pen’s ink attacked my face! Personification

 Example of Personification April Rain Song Let the rain kiss you Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops Let the rain sing you a lullaby The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk The rain makes running pools in the gutter The rain plays song on our roof at night a little sleep And I love the rain. -Langston Hughes

  Saying one thing, but meaning something different  Example: Its raining cats and dogs. Idiom

  A group of lines within a poem, a poem’s paragraph Stanza