1. Fun with Figurative Language
A StAIR by Lisa Mele

2. Objective
Students will learn figurative language terms and demonstrate understanding of each term’s meaning
North Carolina Standard Course of Study 8th Grade ELA:
5.02 Study the characteristics of literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry)

3. Audience
This StAIR has been developed for 8th grade ELA students, but could be used for all middle grades students.

4. Figurative Language
Definition: speech or writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning
We will be using various types of figurative language as we study poetry

5. Examples of Figurative Language
Click the following links to learn about figurative language terms:
Figurative Language Terms Video
Figurative Language Glogster
Now that you’ve got a basic idea of each term, let’s review the specific definitions

6. Types of Figurative Language
Click each link to review the terms. When you finish, click the arrow on the right
Personification
Alliteration
Metaphor
Simile
Hyperbole
Onomatopoeia
Assonance

7. Personification Definition:
Giving human characteristics to something that is non-human
Example:
The stuffed bear smiled as the little boy hugged him close

8. Alliteration Definition:
The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables
Example:
The wild and woolly walrus waits and wonders when we'll walk by

9. Metaphor
Definition:
Comparing two things by using one thing/object in place of another to suggest the likeness between them
Does not use the words “like” or “as”
Example:
Her hair was silk

10. Simile
Definition:
A figure of speech comparing two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”
Example:
The sun is like a yellow ball of fire in the sky

11. Hyperbole Definition:
An exaggerated figure of speech, often with humor
Example:
Mile-high ice cream cone

12. Onomatopoeia Definition:
Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with it
Examples:
Buzz
Hiss
Roar
Woof

13. Assonance Definition: A repetition of vowel sounds within words
Examples:
holy & stony
Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese

14. REVIEW TIME Go through each review in the order listed here. Review 1
Review 4: Fireworks Song/Lyrics
Review 5
Review 6
Review 7
Review 8
Click here when you finish all reviews

15. Review Time!
“The sky is as blue as a smurf” is an example of a metaphor.
True or False
TRUE
FALSE

16. Review Time Honk, Ka-Pow, Boom, Buzz are all examples of: Hyperbole
Onomatopoeia

17. Review Time
Sammy saw a slithering snake is an example of alliteration.
TRUE
FALSE

18. Review Time- Listen to the song and identify the figurative language used
“Firework” by Katy Perry
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind
Wanting to start again
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in
Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July
Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
You're gonna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

19. Review Time
“You’re a firework” is an example of a
Simile
Metaphor

20. Review Time
“Boom, boom, boom even brighter than the moon, moon, moon” is an example of two types of figurative language. Choose which two:
Assonance and
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration and
Onomatopoeia

21. Review Time
“Already buried deep/Six feet under scream/But no one seems to hear a thing”
Is an example of…
Hyperbole
Personification

22. Review Time “Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin/
Like a house of cards/ One blow from caving in?”
Is an example of…
Simile
Metaphor

23. YOU GOT IT!

24. SORRY, TRY AGAIN…

25. Congratulations!
You’ve finished the figurative language terms review! You should now be able to read a poem and identify the seven types of figurative language you worked with here!