Figurative language By: Madison, Liz, and Sheila

Introduction Figurative language is: saying something but not meaning it literally, but meaning it figuratively. There are many different types of figurative language, such as simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration, personification, idiom, pun, and hyperbole.

Simile A simile is when you take two different words and compare them using like or as. Ex: Fast as a cheetah. Another Ex: Busy as a bee.

Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes a subject by comparing; it is different than a simile because it says you ARE something not LIKE something. Ex: The assignment was a breeze. Another example: Michelle is a couch potato.

Onomatopoeia An onomatopoeia is when a series of words or a word is used to imitate a sound. Ex: snap crackle pop. Another Ex: boom sizzle.

Alliteration Alliteration is when you use the same initial letter or sound in a group of words. Ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. Another Ex: Shelly sells seashells down by the seashore.

Personification Personification is when you give human characteristics to an inanimate object. Ex: The trees whispered in my ears as I walked past. Another Ex: My teddy bear gave me a hug.

Idiom An idiom is a figurative phrase that doesn’t mean exactly what it says, but we understand its meaning. Ex: It’s raining cats and dogs. Another Ex: Take someone under your wing.

Hyperbole A hyperbole is an exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one believes it is true. Ex: He was so hungry, he ate the whole cornfield, stalks and all. Another Ex: I am so thirsty I could drink the entire ocean.

Pun A pun is a joke used with homophones; it shows the different possible meanings of a word, or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. Ex: Have you heard of the man who lost his left side? He’s all right now. Another Ex: When the answer to a question in Science was a focus, Mr. Lamb called on Madison D. because she needs to focus. I’m all RIGHT now!

Quiz 1. What is figurative language? 2. What is a simile? 3. What is a metaphor? 4. What is an onomatopoeia? 5. What is alliteration? 6. What is personification? 7. What is an idiom? 8. What is a hyperbole? 9. What is a pun? 10. Which of these uses the words like or as to compare two things?

Answer Key 1. Saying something but not meaning it literally, but meaning it figuratively; figuratively means it is not meaning exactly what it says, but it gives you a hint of what they mean literally. 2. When you compare two things using like or as. 3. A figure of speech that describes a subject by comparing; it is different than a simile because it says you ARE something, not LIKE something. 4. A group of words or a word that imitates a sound. 5. A series of words that has the same initial letter or sound. *Includes tongue twisters.* 6. When human characteristics are given to an inanimate object. 7. A figurative phrase that doesn’t mean exactly what it says, but we understand its meaning. 8. An exaggeration that is so dramatic no one believes it is true. 9. A joke used with homophones. 10. Simile