Language Types figurative language and literal language We’re going to look at two types of language: figurative language and literal language

Figurative vs. Literal figurative language To understand figurative language one has to understand the difference between figurative and literal

More on Literal 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.”

and more on Literal Here’s another example. I’m tired and going home. This means “I’m tired and I’m going home” there is no other meaning other than what is said. I mean exactly what I say.

2nd Figurative To be figurative is to not mean what you say but imply something else. For example: If, I tell you: “it is raining cats and dogs I’m not suggesting dogs are falling from the sky.

Figurative continued “raining cats and dogs” … …means it is raining really hard. It has nothing to do with animals falling from the sky.

Why Figurative Language? Also known as descriptive language, or poetic language, figurative language helps the writer paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Again: Figurative Language Figurative Language does not always mean what is being said or read, but serves to make it more interesting.

Ten Techniques of Figurative Language There are ten techniques that we’re going to look at, and yes, you’ll need to learn all ten.

Ten Techniques of Figurative Language You will need to: understand them identify them use them in your writing

Ten Techniques of Figurative Language The ten techniques you need to know: onomatopoeia alliteration simile metaphor personification idiom hyperbole analogy allusion symbolism

Onomatopoeia Examples of the onomatopoeia: Bang, went the gun! Swoosh went the basketball through the hoop.

Onomatopoeia Words that suggest the sounds they describe.

Alliteration A poetic device which repeats the same beginning sound for effect. Examples of Alliteration:    Sally Sells Seashells By The Sea Shore    Rolling, Racing, Roaring, Rapids             Joyet 2004

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of a beginning sound that is near one another. Joyet 2004

Simile A simile is a figurative language technique where a comparison is made using like or as. Examples of similes: She is like a rainy day. He is as busy as a bee. They are like two peas in a pod.

Simile A comparison of two unlike things, using “like or “as” Joyet 2004

Metaphor A poetic comparison that does not use the words like or as. Examples of metaphors: She is a graceful swan. He is a golden god. They are honey from the honeycomb.

Metaphor Implied comparison of two things not using like or as

Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net. This metaphor compares Brian to a wall because __________. a. He was very strong. b. He was very tall. c. He kept returning the balls. d. His body was made of cells. Joyet 2004

We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog. Tammy was being compared to a hog because she __________. a. looked like a hog b. ate like a hog c. smelled like a hog d. was as smart as a hog Joyet 2004

Personification Personification is when human characteristics given to an object, animal, or idea Joyet 2004

Personification Examples of personification: The heat ripped the breath from her lungs. The leaves danced in the wind

Personification Examples of Personification: Hunger sat shivering on the road Flowers danced about the lawn.

Idiom An idiom is a figurative language technique that does not mean what is being said. It cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words.

Idiom The expression “chill,” is an idiom that means: relax, take it easy or don’t worry. There are tons of idioms. I’m sure you use several all the time, without thinking about it.

Idioms More examples of idioms: We were chewing the fat. It’s raining cats and dogs. She’s as sharp as a tack.

Hyperbole Truth exaggerated to make a point, contains no comparison

Hyperbole Take for example: “He never speaks to her.” Never? That is a very long time. Hyperbole means to exaggerates.

Hyperbole Hyperbole example: We have a ton of work. A ton is a lot of work. A ton is also a thousand pounds.

Analogy Comparison between two things used to explain or clarify Similes and metaphors are examples of analogies

Analogy Examples You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard. You must be pretty annoying for someone to say that. I am going to be toast when I get home. This is usually said when someone is in trouble with their significant other. 

Allusion Direct or indirect reference to another piece of literature, movie, history, etc.

Allusion Examples “I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.” This refers to the story of Pinocchio, where his nose grew whenever he told a lie. It is from The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo Collodi.  “When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and refused to buy anything that wasn’t necessary.” Scrooge was an extremely stingy character from Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol.  “I thought the software would be useful, but it was a Trojan Horse.” This refers to the horse that the Greeks built that contained all the soldiers. It was given as a gift to the enemy during the Trojan War and, once inside the enemy's walls, the soldiers broke out. By using trickery, the Greeks won the war. “He was a real Romeo with the ladies.” Romeo was a character in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, and was very romantic in expressing his love for Juliet.

Symbolism A person, place, object that represents an idea beyond itself Joyet 2004

Symbolism Example In Shakespeare’s As you Like It, ‘stage’ symbolizes the world and ‘players’ symbolize men and women: All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, In the movie trilogy Star Wars, Luke was dressed in light colors and Darth Vader was dressed in black, showing good vs evil

State Content Standards for 8th Grade Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text Recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.