1. Figurative Language
Figuring it Out

2. Figurative and Literal Language
Literally: words function exactly as defined The car is blue. He caught the football. Figuratively: figure out what it means I’ve got your back. It’s raining cats and dogs.

3. Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”
Simile
Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”
Examples:
The metal twisted like a pretzel.
She is as sweet as candy.
He eats like a pig.

4. A comparison must be made.
ImPORTANT!
Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.
A comparison must be made.
Not a Simile: I like pizza.
Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

5. Two things are compared without using “like” or “as.”
METAPHOR
Two things are compared without using “like” or “as.”
Examples:
All the world is a stage.
My brother is a pig.
She has a stone heart.

6. Giving human traits to objects or ideas.
PERSONIFICATION
Giving human traits to objects or ideas.
Examples:
The sunlight danced.
Water on the lake shivers.
The streets are calling me.

7. Exaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.
HYPERBOLE
Exaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.
Examples:
This class is taking forever.
My house is a million miles from here.
She’d kill me.

8. UNDERSTATEMENT Making something seem smaller or less significant.
The opposite of hyperbole.
EXAMPLES:
I’ll be there in one second.
I kind of forgot my homework.
This won’t hurt a bit.

9. QUIZ On a separate sheet of paper… Write your NAME and CLASS (i.e. 6A)
I will give an example.
You will write what type of figurative language it is. (i.e. simile)
*Spelling counts.
4. You MAY use your notes.

10. He drew a line as straight as an arrow.1
He drew a line as straight as an arrow.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

11. Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.2
Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

12. Can I see you for a second?3
Can I see you for a second?
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

13. The sun was beating down on me.4
The sun was beating down on me.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

14. The flag flies like a kite in the sky.5
The flag flies like a kite in the sky.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

15. 6
I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

16. 7
Ravenous and savage from its long polar journey, the North Wind is searching for food—
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

17. 8
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

18. Can I have one of your chips?9
Can I have one of your chips?
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

19. 10
In a house the size of a postage stamp
lived a man as big as a barge.
His mouth could drink the entire river
You could say it was rather large
For dinner he would eat a trillion beans
And a silo full of grain,
Washed it down with a tanker of milk
As if he were a drain.
Is it…
simile
metaphor
personification
hyperbole
understatement

20. Correct any answers you got wrong.
Let’s REview
Correct any answers you got wrong.

21. He drew a line as straight as an arrow.1
He drew a line as straight as an arrow.
It is…
simile
Define

22. Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.2
Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn are kings and queens.
It is…
metaphor
Define

23. Can I see you for a second?3
Can I see you for a second?
It is…
understatement
Define

24. The sun was beating down on me.4
The sun was beating down on me.
It is…
personification
Define

25. The flag flies like a kite in the sky.5
The flag flies like a kite in the sky.
It is…
simile
Define

26. 6
I'd rather take baths with a man-eating shark, or wrestle a lion alone in the dark, eat spinach and liver, pet ten porcupines, than tackle the homework, my teacher assigns.
It is…
hyperbole
Define

27. 7
Ravenous and savage from its long polar journey, the North Wind is searching for food—
It is…
personification
Define

28. 8
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
It is…
metaphor
Define

29. Can I have one of your chips?9
Can I have one of your chips?
It is…
understatement
Define

30. 10
It is…
hyperbole
In a house the size of a postage stamp
lived a man as big as a barge.
His mouth could drink the entire river
You could say it was rather large
For dinner he would eat a trillion beans
And a silo full of grain,
Washed it down with a tanker of milk
As if he were a drain.
Define

31. Practice Activity
With a partner, you will create two of each of the five types of figurative language.
* You will be sharing one of each with the class.
* They can be phrases you have heard before, but they can’t be ones we used as examples when we were learning about them.

32. Reminders
Simile: Comparison using “like” or “as” Metaphor: Comparison WITHOUT “like” or “as” Personification: Giving human traits to objects or ideas. Hyperbole: Using exaggeration to express strong emotion. Understatement: Making something seem smaller or less significant. (Opposite of Hyperbole.)