Figurative Language in poetry

Imagery The formation of mental images, figures, or likenesses of things created by descriptive language Use figurative language (more to come) Use descriptive words using all 5 senses sight touch taste smell hearing

Simile vs. Metaphor A figure of speech where two unlike things are compared using the word “like” or “as” followed by a figurative (not literal) example Purpose: to paint a picture for the reader AND to give an example Examples: It was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. My mouth was as dry as a bone. It was a funny as a barrel of monkeys. They fought like cats and dogs. It was like watching grass grow. A word or phrase used to compare two unlike objects, ideas, thoughts, or feelings to provide a clearer description Purpose: to paint a picture for the reader Examples: The world is my oyster. You are a couch potato. Time is money. He has a heart of stone. America is a melting pot.

Personification Giving human characteristics to nonhuman things or ideas Key to getting it right--Giving humans characteristics from animals is NOT personification! Examples: Opportunity knocked on the door. The sun greeted me this morning. The bear was dancing in the woods while he looked for honey. The vines wove their fingers together to form a braid. Nonexamples: The girl howled like a wolf in anger. The bear ate the berries like a pig. The tree swayed in the wind The cat stared with anger.

Hyperbole Description that is exaggerated for emphasis Can add color, depth, and humor to description (especially your characters) Examples: You snore louder than a freight train. I had to walk 15 miles to school in the snow, uphill. You could have knocked me over with a feather. That was the greatest game in all sporting history! They ran like greased lightning.

Onomatopoeia Words that convey how something sounds Add a level of fun and reality to writing Example: The burning wood hissed and crackled. Words like: beep, whirr, click, whoosh, zap, ping, clang, ding, gobble, munch, pow, smash, wham, meow, oink, and more.

Alliteration Two or more words in a row starting with the same sound Examples: Poetic wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken. Tongue twisters Betty bought butter but the butter was bitter, so Betty bought better butter to make the bitter butter better.

Now let’s practice! 1. The sky misses the sun at night. 2. The poorest man is the richest, and the rich are poor. 3. You are busy as a bee. 4. Out of reach, I pull out with a screech. 5. I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti. 6. Her head was spinning from all the new information. 7. The toast jumped out of the toaster. 8. You are my sunshine. 9. Aunt Alice ate apples and acorns in August. 10. I’ve told you a million times to clean your room! 11. The loud boom of the fireworks scared the dog.

Answers 1. The sky misses the sun at night. personification 2. The poorest man is the richest, and the rich are poor.metaphor 3. You are busy as a bee simile 4. Out of reach, I pull out with a screech. onomatopoeia 5. I move fast like a cheetah on the Serengeti. simile 6. Her head was spinning from all the new information.hyperbole 7. The toast jumped out of the toaster. personification 8. You are my sunshine. metaphor 9. Aunt Alice ate apples and acorns in August. alliteration 10. I’ve told you a million times to clean your room!hyperbole 11. The loud boom of the fireworks scared the dog. onomatopoeia