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 A tool that an author uses to help the reader visualize or “see” what is happening in a story or poem. 3

To understand 4 figurative language figurative one has to understand the difference between and literal

My meaning is exactly what I say. 5 To be literal is to mean what you say. For example: I tell you to sit down! I mean it literally--as in: “sit in your seat now, please.”

I mean exactly what I say. 6 Here’s another example. I’m tired so I am going home. This means “I’m tired and I’m going home” there is no other meaning other than what is said.

I’m not suggesting you get into the freezer. 7 To be figurative is to not mean exactly what you say but imply something else. For example: If I tell you: “chill out!”

It has nothing to do with temperature. 8 “chill out” … …means calm down and be patient.

Confused? Think of it this way: Literal is real Figurative is imaginary 9

Also known as descriptive language, or poetic language, figurative language helps the writer paint a picture in the reader’s mind. 10

Figurative Language does not always mean what is being said or read, but serves to make it more interesting. 11

There are eight techniques that we’re going to look at, and yes, you’ll need to learn all eight. 12

You will need to:  understand them  identify them  analyze their meaning 13

The eight techniques you need to know and understand:  onomatopoeia  hyperbole  simile  idiom 14 metaphor personification analogy alliteration

Let’s look at the techniques one at a time. So here we go. “Hold onto your seats!” 15

Onomatopoeia is the use of words whose sounds make you think of their meanings. Think of it this way…the words are spelled just like they sound. For example; buzz, thump, pop. 16

A comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. 17

18 Sarah is like a rainy day. John is as busy as a bee. Sarah and John are like two peas in a pod.

 A comparison between two unlike things in which one thing is said to be another thing without using “like” or “as”.

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 Alliteration is a figurative language technique where the beginning consonant sound is repeated in multiple words. 21

 Examples: › "Three g rey g eese in a g reen field g razing, G rey were the g eese and g reen was the g razing" › The s weet s mell of s uccess. 22

23 Personification is a figurative language technique in which human characteristics are given to nonhuman things.

The leaves danced in the wind 24 Examples of personification: The heat ripped the breath from her lungs.

 An exaggeration or overstatement intended to produce an effect without being taken literally.

“He will never speak to her again.” Never? That is a very long time. Hyperbole means to exaggerate. 26 Take for example:

 An analogy is a point-by- point comparison of two unlike things that are similar in a number of ways; generally used to explain something unfamiliar in terms of something that is familiar. 27

 An expression or figure of speech with a nonliteral meaning. The meaning can’t be figured out from the context. If may be specific to a certain group of people. 28

Literal vs. Figurative 29 Remember: Real vs. Imaginary

Eight Figurative Language techniques:  hyperbole Idiom  simile OOnomatopoeia AAlliteration 30 metaphor personification analogy

 Please remember to bring your notes to class tomorrow. 31