Figurative Language

What is figurative language? Whenever you describe something by comparing it to something else, you are using figurative language! Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning of words to give new effects to phrases or give new insight into an idea or subject. Figurative language allows for people to be more creative in their writing. We’ve already started talking about figurative language with SIMILES and METAPHORS.

Okay, so what’s literal meaning? Have you ever had someone tell you that you take things too literally? The literal meaning of a word is to take it as it is. “I slept all weekend.” – Literal: You were asleep, in bed, from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. – Figurative: Exaggerating that you spent the majority of your weekend in bed.

Idioms Idioms are cultural and language-specific expressions that cannot be taken literally. If taken literally, they do not communicate their real meaning. Remember idiom by thinking of it like idiot… you’d have to be crazy to take it literally! Okay, let’s do some examples…

Literally, this would mean a cat has your tongue. Figuratively, it means you are speechless.

Put a sock in it! With your partner, come up with a few examples of idioms — expressions you can’t take literally.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is when an author exaggerates a statement to heighten effect. It isn’t used to mislead the reader, but only to emphasize a point. “Ms. Wise gave us a billion math questions for homework tonight.”

Personification A figure of speech that gives the qualities of a person to an animal, object, or idea. It is a comparison that the author uses to show something in a new way, to communicate a certain feeling or attitude towards it, and to control the way the reader perceives it.

Personification Examples “The sun shone its face upon us this morning.” “The sea was angry, waves crushing everything in their path.” “The stack of papers jumped off my desk.”

Onomatopoeia This figure of speech uses words that mimic sounds and sometimes authors will even invent words to mimic a sound. They appeal to our sense of hearing, and help bring a description to life.

When an author describes people or objects by relating them to our senses, it is imagery. Theses senses are: sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, and feeling. Example: I walked into the kitchen to the smell of rotting eggs, and found the source when my bare feet touched a warm, slimy goo.

Often used more in poetry than in literature, alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words. This is to create melody, establish a mood, call attention to important words, and point out similarities and contrasts. Alliteration

Alice’s aunt ate apples and acorns around August. Fred’s friends fried Fritos for Friday’s food. Mike’s microphone made much music. Walter walked wearily while wondering where Wally was. Alliteration Examples

Today… With your partner, read chapter 3 of “Where The Red Fern Grows” — alternate reading pages! The two of you will be compiling a list of examples of figurative language in the book — try to find AT LEAST ONE example of each in the chapter. (Alliteration may or may not be in there…)