Introduction to Poetry Figurative Language

What is figurative language? It is imaginative language that is not supposed to be taken literally. It is beyond ordinary meaning; it usually requires the use of imagination to interpret something.

Figurative Language Examples Metaphors Similes Personification Hyperbole Idioms Onomatopoeia Alliteration Allusion Symbol

Review Similes and Metaphors Poetry Devices Review Similes and Metaphors

Review: What is a metaphor? Write down an example of a metaphor.

Review: What is a simile? Write an example of a simile.

Simile or Metaphor? The dog was acting like a cat when it jumped onto the windowsill and stared out the window. The audience’s applause was thunder as it erupted around the auditorium. The candy bar was heaven after being hungry all day.

Personification and Hyperbole

Personification--Review Gives human qualities to something that is nonhuman Example: The wind whistled through the windows.

Personification Examples Describe what the following sentences using personification might mean: The birds talked in the trees. The leaves danced in the blowing wind. The snow grasped onto the branches.

Figurative Language and Meaning Breaking down and analyzing figurative language can help to find and understanding meaning within a poem. Identify the figurative language in the following poem. Say what each means. Determine the theme or meaning of the poem.

“Dreams” By Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow.

Poem Analysis (metaphor, simile, personification) Lines from Poem Figurative Language Meaning Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die
 Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
 Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Hyperbole An exaggeration of speech to place emphasis on something specific. Example: She was so mad that steam was going to come out of her ears.

Hyperbole Examples Describe what the following examples using hyperbole might mean. He ate so much that he could burst. My backpack weighs a ton! It is going to take me a lifetime to get all of my work done.

Hyperbole Practice Write as many sentences as you can in three minutes using hyperbole.

Alliteration The repetition of consonants in a group of words Alliteration refers to the sound, not the letter. Wrong example: Circus cats climbed. Correct example: Sophie slept soundly on her soft sheets.

Alliteration practice Rain races onto the porch
Hitting hard like
Rockets rushing in a race to the glass.
Rattling rain, rattling the window panes.
The droplets dance daintily
Until they cleverly connect in
A pool of promise for a rainbow.

Alliteration Practice Write as many sentences as you can in three minutes using alliteration.

Idiom A common expression that is not meant to be taken literally. Example: She is pulling my leg.

Idiom practice Write three idioms and say what they mean.

Allusion A type of figurative language that makes references to people, places, events, or other literary works. Example: When she lost her job, she acted like Scrooge, and she refused to buy anything.

Allusion Practice Say what each allusion means. He acted like a real Romeo when around girls. Too bad his nose wasn’t like Pinnochio’ s when he lied. This place looks like the Garden of Eden.

Symbol A type of figurative language that represents an idea. Symbolism goes beyond the literal meaning The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. Example: Life can be like a roller-coaster. You never know what hills you’ll have to climb.

Symbolism Practice What is the symbol? What does it mean? He is a rock; someone that people can always count on.

Symbolism Practice What is the symbol? What does it mean? 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. ~ William Shakespeare

Onomatopoeia A word that imitates that sound that it describes. Example: The thunder made a loud boom.

Onomatopoeia Practice Write three examples of onomatopoeia