Figurative LanguageA Tutorial

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Record accurate notes on the chart provided.

Generate your own examples of each figurative language type.

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Figurative Language vs.

Literal Language

LITERAL LANGUAGE:

language that can be taken at face value; it means what it says

"You hit the nail on its head!"

Literally speaking, this means that you have

physically hit the nail on its head with the hammer.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:

language that is not meant to be taken at face value; language that appeals to the senses and creates pictures and images in the reader's mind

"You hit the nail on its head!"

Figuratively speaking, this means that you got the right answer, or

that you did something absolutely correctly.

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Why Use Figurative Language?

To help readers visualize characters and settings

To provide amusement and make writing more interesting

To familiarize readers with unknown terms

Common Types of Figurative LanguageIdiom

Simile

Metaphor

Personification

Hyperbole

Alliteration

Onomatopoeia

Allusion

What is an What is an IDIOMIDIOM??What is an What is an IDIOMIDIOM??IdiomIdiom = a “saying” that is = a “saying” that is peculiar to a particular peculiar to a particular language or grouplanguage or group

IdiomIdiom = a “saying” that is = a “saying” that is peculiar to a particular peculiar to a particular language or grouplanguage or group

The combination of words in an idiom has aThe combination of words in an idiom has a

meaning that is different from the meaning that is different from the

meanings of the individual words meanings of the individual words

themselves.themselves.

Idioms can have a literal meaning in one Idioms can have a literal meaning in one

situation and a different idiomatic situation and a different idiomatic meaning meaning

in another situation.in another situation.

http://www.idiomconnection.com/whatis.html#A2

Literal vs. Idiomatic Literal vs. Idiomatic MeaningMeaning

Literal vs. Idiomatic Literal vs. Idiomatic MeaningMeaning

Example: Example: To sit on the fenceTo sit on the fenceExample: Example: To sit on the fenceTo sit on the fence

~ Literally means that someone

is sitting on a fence

Jeff sat on the fence to

see the concert in the park.

www.barkers-int.co.uk/images/fence.jpg

Definition taken from: http://www.idiomconnection.com/whatis.html#A2

~ Idiomatically means that

someone is not making a clear

choice regarding some issue

The senator sat on the fence

and refused to give his opinion

about the war in Iraq.

images.jupiterimages.com/.../55/73/22137355.jpg

Idiomatic Meaning:

to have one’s affairs or business in order; to be organized

Be sure to get all your ducks in a all your ducks in a rowrow before going on vacation: pack all of your clothes, ask a neighbor to feed your cat, and stop your mail at the post office.

Simile

Uses like or as to make a comparison between two unlike ideas

Simile

Mom’s Christmas cookies were like lumps of sand.

What is being compared?

Mom’s Christmas cookies were like lumps of sand.

Metaphor

something is described as though it were something else; shows a similarity between two unlike things

Uses the words is, are, was, or were

Metaphor

Full of ups and downs, life is a roller coaster.

What is being compared?

Full of ups and downs, life is a roller coaster.

Which is a more powerful comparison,

a simile or a metaphor?

Personification

A non- human subject is given human characteristics

Personification

The small chair peered out from behind the big desk.

The small chair peered out from behind the big desk.

Hyperbole

Exaggerates an idea so vividly that the reader has instant picture

Hyperbole

I am so sad I could cry a river.

Ask yourself:

Can someone really cry a river?

Alliteration

The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginnings of several words

Alliteration

Cindy sent seven cards to her sisters.

Cindy sent seven cards to her sisters.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that imitate the sounds

OnomatopoeiaInteresting Fact:– The word onomatopoeia comes from the

combination of two Greek words, one meaning “name: and the other meaning “I make”.

– Onomatopoeia literally means “the name (or sound) I make.” That is to say that the word means nothing more than the sound it makes.

OnomatopoeiaTick-tock. Tick-tock. The sound of the clock was all that could be heard in the hospital waiting room.

“Tick-tock” sounds like what a clock does when the seconds hand moves around the face. The word itself sounds like the sound it’s representing.

AllusionAn allusion is a figure of speech that makes a reference to a person or a place, or to something that happened.

This reference can be real or imaginary and may refer to anything, including literary characters, paintings, opera, folk lore, mythical figures, etc.

The reference can be direct or may be inferred, and it can broaden the reader’s understanding.

Allusions: The Pros and ConsPros:

There are several ways that an allusion can help a writer:– Allusions engage the reader

and will often help the reader remember the message or theme of the passage.

– Allusions allow the writer to give an example or get a point across without going into a lengthy discourse.

Cons:Allusions are contingent on the reader knowing about the story or event that is referenced.

Source: http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-allusion.html

AllusionJustin was a real Romeo with the ladies.

Romeo is a character in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. He is very romantic in expressing his love for Juliet.  

This allusion helps readers better understand Justin’s character by being able to compare him with what they already know about Romeo.

Let’s Practice!

Complete the “Figurative Language Identification Practice” questions on the front side of your

notes sheet.

Metaphor

Her eyes were glistening jewels that lit up the room.

Onomatopoeia

The buzzing fly near my ear proved to be an annoying distraction as I tried to concentrate on my homework.

BUZZ BUZZ

Simile

Ellie walks as gracefully and as elegantly as a cat.

Alliteration

Keyboards click quietly in the cozy computer carrels.

(Although this also includes onomatopoeia— “clicked”)

Hyperbole

My teacher is so old she taught cave men how to start a fire.

Personification

My pillow whispered a bedtime story in my ear.

Once upon a time…

Idiom

You can yell until you’re blue in the face, but I will not give you a raise!

Allusion

When Mrs. Hatfield lost her job, she turned into a Scrooge, refusing to buy anything that wasn’t necessary.

Scrooge was an extremely stingy character from Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol.