Figurative Language
Word / phrase with no literal meaning
Makes stories more interesting
There are many different types
Figurative Language
SimileMetaphorAlliterationOnomatopoeiaPersonificationIdiomHyperbole
Types of Figurative Language
Comparison between objects or ideas
- “As busy as a bee” - “Runs like a cheetah”
Uses like or as - “Sings like an angel” - “As cute as a button”
Simile
(Remember: uses like or as)
A) “As cool as a cucumber”B) “The lake is a mirror”
C) “Books are keys to the imagination”D) “Like fingernails on a chalkboard”
Which one is a simile?
Makes a direct comparison - “You are my sunshine”
States something is or are something - “He is a night owl”
Useful to create a visual image - “The falling snowflakes are dancers”
Metaphor
(Remember: uses is or are)
A) “As tough as nails”B) “His words are cotton candy”
C) “Laughter is music to the soul” D) “Like two peas in a pod”
Which one is a metaphor?
Series of words -“Tom tried tasty toffee”
Repetition of the same beginning sound/letter
-“Gertrude’s giraffe gobbled green gooseberries”
Includes tongue-twisters! -“She sells sea shells by the sea
shore”
Alliteration
A) Wendy wanted warm, wonderful waffles.
B) Sherlock smiled after seeing a clue.
C) The haunted house was frightening.
Alliteration: Which beginning letter/sound is repeated?
Use of a word or words -“Snap, crackle, pop!” -“Cock-a-doodle doo”
Describes or imitates a sound -“Whoosh” -“Achoo!”
Onomatopoeia
Animal Sounds: -woof, hoot, meow, neigh
Human Sounds: - hush, giggle, whisper, eek
Other sounds: - bang, clickety-clack, drip, fizz
More onomatopoeia examples
Human characteristics given to an object/animal
- “The lightning danced across the
sky.”
- “The wind howled Halloween night.”
Personification
“The book flew off the shelves.”
“Our vacuum hummed a happy tune.”
“My flowers were begging for water.”
Personification: what are the human characteristics?
Word combinationsDifferent meaning from the literal
meaning - “That was a piece of cake!” (Real meaning: that was easy) - “I have a frog in my throat” (Real meaning: losing your voice)
Idioms
“It cost an arm and a leg.” - Real meaning: it was expensive
“Get cold feet” - Real meaning: become nervous/scared
“Hold your horses!” - Real meaning: wait a minute
What are the meanings of these idioms?
Very dramatic exaggeration - “It’s so hot I could melt!” - “He is older than dirt.” No one would believe it’s true - “Her smile was a mile wide.” - “These shoes are killing me!”
Hyperbole
Word / phrase with no literal meaning
Makes stories more interesting
Many different types
Review: Figurative Language
SimileMetaphorAlliterationOnomatopoeiaPersonificationIdiom Hyperbole
Review: Figurative Language
Warner. (n.d.). Figurative language. Retrieved June, 2014, from http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/ figurative-language.html
Example articles & resources. (n.d.). Retrieved 2014, from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/
Gail, “Slice o Cake” May 3, 2009 via Fickr, Creative Commons Attribution. Yellowcloud, “Snowflake-017” February 6, 2006 via Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribution. Mark Dumont, “Savanna Run” June 30, 2013 via Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribution. Karunakar Rayker, “Shell on the beach” September 19, 2004 via Flickr, Creative
Commons Attribution. Travis Isaacs, “Ear” September 11, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution. Oregon Department of Transportation, “Lightning_03” July 31, 2014 via Flickr,
Creative Commons Attribution. Chauncey Davis, “Running of the Horses” August 14, 2009 via Flickr, Creative
Commons Attribution. Foeoc Kannilc, “Jimm Choo Women Shoe Collection” August 30, 2012 via Flickr,
Creative Commons Attribution.
Citations
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