1. Group A Candice Lockett Shawn Byrd Xavier Garth Martina Diaz
Figurative Language
Group A
Candice Lockett
Shawn Byrd
Xavier Garth
Martina Diaz

2. What is figurative language?
Figurative language is when words or phrases do not literally mean what they say
It is used to give a more vivid description
Writers employ many types of figurative language
For example: simile, metaphor, and personification

3. Simile
A simile compares two unlike things, using the signal words “like” or “as”
To identify and understand a simile, follow these three steps:
Point out the signal word (“like” or “as”)
Identify the two things that are being compared
Ask yourself what the two things have in common

4. Simile Let’s use our three steps to understand the following simile
Example:
Her smile was bright as the sun.
Point out the signal word
Identify the two things that are being compared.
Ask yourself what the two things have in common.

5. Metaphor
A metaphor compares two unlike things, without using signal words (“like” or “as”)
Often a form of the verb “be” is used
For example: am, is, are, was, were
To identify and understand a metaphor, follow these three steps:
Point out the signal word (form of “be”)
Identify the two things that are being compared
Ask yourself what the two things have in common

6. Metaphor
Let’s use our three steps to understand the following metaphor
Example:
Your room is a pigsty.
Point out the signal word
Identify the two things that are being compared.
Ask yourself what the two things have in common, which is inferred.
Pigs are messy and filthy, like your room.

7. Personification
Personification is giving human qualities or abilities to a nonhuman object
Action verbs are used to portray the human quality or ability
To identify and understand personification, follow these three steps:
Point out the action verb
Determine what object is doing the action
Ask yourself if the action is something a human usually does, not an object

8. Point out the action verb. Determine what object is doing the action.
Personification
Let’s use our three steps to understand the following personification
Example:
The tree danced in the wind.
Point out the action verb.
Determine what object is doing the action.
Ask yourself if the action is something a human usually does, not an object.
Humans dance, not trees.

9. Let’s Practice
Tell whether each sentence contains a simile, metaphor, or personification
The wind whispered to the children as they ran through the woods.
personification
The baby was grabbing things like an octopus.
simile
The heat ripped the breath from her lungs.
The sun stretches its warmth across the meadow.
This class is like a three-ring circus.

10. Let’s Practice
Tell whether each sentence contains a simile, metaphor, or personification
The giant’s steps were thunder as he chased after the gnome.
metaphor
The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the toddler’s bath time.
The leaves danced in the breeze.
personification
He was lightning on the tennis court.
The twins are like two peas in a pod.
simile