Figurative Language Figuring it Out

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.)