An Introduction to Figurative Language Approximately 12 minutes (with 20 seconds added to each slide to allow time for taking notes) by Creativity in the Classroom

Attention teachers: Timings on the slides can be adjusted by clicking on a slide and the clicking on the “transitions” tab “Advance Slide” and “After”…(upper right corner of Ppt. 2010) 20 seconds was added to each slide for note-taking but you may need to adjust them for your class.

Figurative language refers to “figures of speech” or sayings that exaggerate, make a comparison, or do not actually mean what they say. They are used as a way to get particular points across to the reader.  

Idiom An idiom is a phrase or saying that means something other than what it actually says.

Today’s math test was “a piece of cake Today’s math test was “a piece of cake.” “A piece of cake” is a common idiom that means “something that can be done easily”.

Simile A simile makes a comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”.

Sarah is “as bright as the sun.” Theresa “sings like a bird”.

Metaphor A metaphor makes a comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”.

“My new puppy is such a pig.” “Mary has the appetite of a mouse.”

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration or overstatement Hyperbole A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration or overstatement. It is when something is so exaggerated that anyone would know that it is not really true.

“I could eat a horse!” Everyone knows that nobody could actually be hungry enough to eat a horse.

Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is when a word is pronounced like the sound it represents.

“Snap!” “Pop!” “Bang!”

Personification Personification is when an object or animal is given the characteristics or features of a human.

The leaves of the large tree danced playfully in the gentle breeze of the beautiful spring day.

Alliteration Alliteration is when words and phrases begin with the same letter(s) or sounds. “Sarah sang silly songs.”

Quiz Time! Number your paper from 1 to 7. On the following 3 slides, choose the correct word from the word bank that belongs in the blank for each sentence. Write the answers on your paper.

simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 1. A __________ is an extreme exaggeration or overstatement. It is when something is so exaggerated that anyone would know that it is not really true. 2. __________ is when an object or animal is given the characteristics or features of a human.

Word Bank simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 3. A __________ makes a comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”. 4. __________ is when words and phrases begin with the same letter(s) or sounds. 5. __________ is when a word is pronounced like the sound it represents.

Word Bank simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 6. An __________ is a phrase or saying that means something other than what it actually says. 7. A __________ makes a comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”.

Answers to the Quizzes

simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 1. A hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration or overstatement. It is when something is so exaggerated that anyone would know that it is not really true. 2. Personification is when an object or animal is given the characteristics or features of a human.

Word Bank simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 3. A metaphor makes a comparison between two things without using the words “like” or “as”. 4. Alliteration is when words and phrases begin with the same letter(s) or sounds. 5. Onomatopoeia is when a word is pronounced like the sound it represents.

Word Bank simile hyperbole personification idiom onomatopoeia alliteration metaphor Word Bank 6. An idiom is a phrase or saying that means something other than what it actually says. 7. A simile makes a comparison between two things using the words “like” or “as”.