Introducing Figurative Language

a.k.a. Literary Elements

Simile A simile is a figure of speech that,

like metaphor, compares unlike things in order to describe something. Similes do not state that something is another thing, however. Instead, they compare using the word "like" or "as." Some scholars refer to simile as a type of metaphor.

Examples of Similes The truck was as big as Jupiter and just as garish.

Her coat looked like a wet paper bag that had been trampled.

He was as tired as if he'd been digging ditches all day.

Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech

that compares unlike things by saying that one thing is the other. Often metaphors are simple comparisons, but they can be extended so that different aspects of the things compared are treated separately.

Examples of Metaphors He was a fierce bull ready to attack.

She is a flower among women.

Personification Personification is a figure of

speech in which human qualities are attributed to an animal, object, or idea.

Examples of Personification The video camera observed

the whole scene. The car engine coughed

and sputtered when it started during the blizzard.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an

exaggeration or overstatement for effect.

Examples of a Hyperbole The man was as wide as a

mountain and twice as tall.(Note that this sentence is also a simile.)

I nearly died laughing. This reading book weighs a ton.

Alliteration Alliteration is a poetic or

literary effect achieved by using several words that begin with the same or similar consonants

Examples of Alliteration “Whither wilt thou wander,

wayfarer?”  Sally sells seashells by the

sea shore. Many men marched merrily.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of

words that sound like the noises they describe.

Examples of Onomatopoeia Hiss Buzz

Rhyme Rhyme is the repetition of

sounds at the ends of words.

Examples of Rhyme

See/me Hat/cat Shoot/loot

Rhythm Rhythm is the beat you hear as

you read a poem aloud. This beat is affected by which syllables are stressed and which are unstressed. Stressed words are read with more emphasis.

Example of Rhythm

Hickory dickery dock The mouse ran up the clock

Repetition Repetition is the use of a

word, phrase, sound, or line more than once.

Examples of RepetitionThe rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.The rain makes running pools in the gutter. The rain plays a little sleep-song on our

roof at night—And I love the rain.

-from “April Rain Song” by Langston Hughes

Rhyme Scheme Rhyme Scheme is the order

of sounds that occur at the ends of the lines of a poem.

Example of Rhyme Scheme

Rhyme SchemeHickory, dickery, dock, aThe mouse ran up the clock, aThe clock struck 12:00, bThe mouse ran down, cHickory, dickery, dock. a