1. And figurative language
Poetry Terms
And figurative language

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

16. 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

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

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

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

20. Personification 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!

21. 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

22. Idiom When you say one thing, but mean something else Example:
He’s been in the doghouse since he forgot to do the dishes.

23. A piece of cake - Very easy Slipped my mind - I forgot
Fish out of water - Being somewhere you don’t belong
Kettle of fish - Something is completely different
Get off your high horse - Quit thinking you are better than others
Hold your horses - Wait a minute
Horse of a different color - Something that is different
Let the cat out of the bag - Tell a secret
Curiosity killed the cat - Asking may get you in trouble
Cat got your tongue? - Why aren’t you talking?
Raining cats and dogs - It is raining very hard
You can't teach an old dog new tricks - It’s harder for older people to learn new things
Hot dog - A person doing athletic stunts that are dangerous
Doggy bag - A bag to take home leftovers from a restaurant
A little birdie told me - Someone told me a secret
Bee in her bonnet - She is upset
Goose is cooked - Now you’re in trouble
For the birds - Something that is not worth anything
Birdbrain - Someone who is not very smart
But a bug in his ear - Make a suggestion
A bull in a china shop - someone who is very clumsy
Pig out - To eat a lot
Wolf in sheep’s clothing - A person who pretends to be nice but is not
Cry crocodile tears - To pretend to be upset
Make a mountain out of a molehill - Make something that is not important into a big deal Read more at
A piece of cake - Very easy
Slipped my mind - I forgot
Be in hot water - Be in trouble
It cost an arm and a leg - It was expensive
It’s in the bag - It’s a certainty
Get cold feet - Be nervous
A rip off - Too expensive
Get a kick out of - Enjoy
Read between the lines - hidden meaning
Have mixed feelings - Unsure how you feel
Draw a blank - Can’t remember
Have a change of heart - Changed your mind
Be second to none - Be the best
Get your act together - Behave properly
Play it by ear - Improvise
Have second thoughts - Have doubts
Have a shot at - Have a chance
Be in the same boat - Be in the same situation
Out of the blue - With no warning
Give someone the cold shoulder - Ignore someone
I’m all ears - You have my undivided attention
See eye to eye - Agree
Call it a day - Time to quit
The icing on the cake - Something additional that turns good into great

24. A poem’s paragraph
Stanza

25. Figurative Language Poem
Line 1- alliteration Line 2- onomatopoeia Line 3- simile Line 4- hyperbole Line 5- idiom Line 6- personification Line 7- metaphor