STRETCH YOUR IMAGINATION USING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Figurative vs Literal Language To understand figurative language, one must understand the difference between figurative and literal

LITERAL TEXT To be literal is to mean exactly what you say or write. Stated directly.

EXAMPLE #1 While in college Mr. H.’s room was a pigsty. Literally, Mr. H.’s room was a pigsty.

Literal Example #2 The flames from the fire eagerly licked the house’s dry wood. Literally, the fire is eagerly licking the house’s wood.

Figurative Meaning Is far more interesting. It is more imaginative and conveys not just the facts but also an idea. Figurative is descriptive and must use your imagination. Imply or infer what author means.

EXAMPLE #1 While in college Mr. H’s room was a pigsty. Figuratively, Mr. H.’s room in college was dirty and messy.

Figurative Example #2 The flames from the fire eagerly licked the house’s dry wood. Figuratively, the fire spread fast and burned down the house quickly.

3 rd Example The basketball danced on the rim before falling through the net. Figuratively, the basketball bounced on the rim a few times before falling through the rim / net.

WHY USE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE? CREATES VIVID PICTURES IN READER’S MIND. MAKES WRITING EMOTIONALLY INTENSE. STATE IDEAS IN NEW AND UNUSUAL WAYS TO STIMULATE READER’S IMAGINATION. “BRINGS WORDS ALIVE.”

S I M I L E What is a simile

A simile is... A figure of speech in which two unlike items are compared using the words “ like ” or “ as ” in the comparison.

Unbelievable Examples! According to the lovely Mrs. Hilliard, Mr. H. snores like a chainsaw when he is tired.

WHAT IS BEING COMPARED? COMPARED: LITERAL MEANING: FIGURATIVE MEANING:

What Does It Mean?? LITERALLY : Mr. H. snores like a chainsaw. FIGURATIVELY : Mr. H. snores very LOUDLY!!

Another Example: My aunt’s face looks like an old catcher’s mitt.

Literally: My aunt’s face is a catcher’s mitt. Figurative Meaning: My aunt is UGLY!!

Try Another One... When Dr. Wong saw the police car’s lights, she started sweating like a snowman in the Sahara Desert. What is being compared? Literal Meaning: Figurative Meaning:

Why a Simile? Compared – Dr. Wong to a snowman Like Literally – When Dr. Wong saw the police car’s lights, she started sweating like a snowman in the desert. Figuratively, Dr. Wong was very nervous when she was being pulled over by the policeman and started sweating profusely.

One More Time... My neighbor is as nutty as a fruitcake. Why a simile? What does this mean literally? What does this mean figuratively?

What is a METAPHOR? A metaphor is a comparison between 2 unlike items / things that you usually do not associate with each other AND DOES NOT USE THE WORDS “LIKE” OR “AS” in the comparison.

Marvelous Metaphors Ahead After shoveling 30 tons of gravel, my pillows were airy marshmallows when I crawled into bed. What is being compared? Literal meaning? Figurative meaning?

 Comparison: Pillows to marshmallows  (no like or as in comparison)  Literal: My pillows were airy marshmallows when I crawled into bed.  Figuratively: My pillows were big, puffy, soft and comfortable

M ore M etaphors Mr. H. was such a mule that Morgan could not get him to change his mind. Comparison Literal meaning? Figurative meaning?

One More Metaphor: The rat’s eyes were darting searchlights scanning the kitchen for any enemies. Compared? Literal? Figurative?

R E M E M B E R Similes and metaphors compare 2 unlike items / things that you normally don’t associate with each other. Similes use the word like or as to compare while metaphors do not!!!

 Literal Meaning:  Exactly what the author is saying.  Figurative Meaning:  Is the implied or inferred meaning.

 Figurative Language – Try to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Don’t want it to be common and ordinary. Be creative!!

 Good similes & metaphors are not common or ordinary. Write similes in circle map. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! PAINT AN IMAGE IN THE READER’S MIND!!

Compare Detective Moeller searching for a murder weapon to a raccoon.

Detective Peeper searched for the murder weapon like an enormous raccoon in a dumpster looking for a half-eaten cream filled donut.