Figurative Language Figurative Language is a tool that an author uses to help the reader visualize (or see) what is happening in a story or a poem.
Simile A simile is a comparison using like or as. It compares two dissimilar objects. Example…His feet were as big as boats. We are comparing the size of feet to boats.
Metaphor A metaphor states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison, but it does NOT use like or as to make the comparison. Example…Her hair is silk. The sentence is comparing (or stating) that hair is silk.
Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. Sometimes the word names a thing or action by copying the sound. Example…The basketball went swish through the net.
Personification Personification is giving human qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics to inanimate (non-living) objects. Example…. The window winked at me. The verb, wink, is a human action. A window is an inanimate object. Therefore, we have a good example of personification.
Alliteration Alliteration is the repeating of the initial consonant in neighboring words. Example… The slippery snake squirmed through Samson Street. The repeated sound is “s”
Idiom Idiom – An expression used in a special manner. Example…Cat got your tongue?
Some Popular Idioms Button your lip He has a green thumb Monkey Business Hit the hay Do you have ants in your pants? Head in the clouds Cold feet Under the weather
Some Popular Idioms Continued Green with envy In the dog house A drop in the bucket Leave a bad taste in your mouth In a pickle Music to my ears
Hyperbole Hyperbole – An extreme exaggeration. Example…I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
Decide whether the following examples are… 1.Simile 2.Metaphor 3.Onomatopoeia 4.Idiom 5.Alliteration 6.Personification 7.Hyperbole
The ceramic cup crashed on the coffee colored counter.
Alliteration
Brian was a wall, stopping every shot that came his way.
Metaphor
Hold your horses.
Idiom
The advertisement called out to the viewers watching TV.
Personification
I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
Hyperbole
The bee went buuzzzzz around the flower.
Onomatopoeia
Those two girls are like peas in a pod.
Simile
Bill was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.
Simile
Let’s go on a scavenger hunt… 1.You and a partner will try to find 1 example of each of the following types of figurative language. 2.Write the example, book title, and page number. 3.Also, explain how the example fits the type of figurative language you identify it as. For example, if it is a simile, explain what is being compared. 4. You may use any book in the room including your SSR book, SS or Science texts, or any book from the classroom library.