2. Go Figure! Figurative Language

3. Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface. It gives us a FEELING about a subject. Poets use figurative language almost as frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all.

4. What is figurative language? Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

5. Types of Figurative Language Imagery Simile Metaphor Alliteration Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Idioms Symbolsim Mood Tone

6. Personification A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to something that is not human (an animal, an object, an idea, etc.). Example: “The wind howls while blowing through the trees." The wind cannot howl. Only a living thing can howl.

7. Imagery Language that appeals to one or more of the five senses. Descriptions of people or objects are stated in terms of sensory details. Sight Hearing Touch Taste Smell

8. Simile A figure of speech that involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are as strong as iron bands.

9. Metaphor A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison does not use like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped through the dessert.

10. Alliteration Repeated sounds/letters occurring at the beginnings of words or within words (tongue twisters). Example: She was wide-eyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

11. Onomatopoeia The use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a loud ka-boom!

12. Hyperbole An exaggerated statement used to heighten the effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Clue: Prefix=hyper Example: She has said so on several thousand occasions.

13. Symbolism A person, place, or object that stands for something more than just itself Example: Make two columns: Object and represents Object…………What it represents

14. Idioms An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language and has a different meaning than what it actually says. Example: "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning “She is obsessed with something," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word because of its meaning.

16. Tone This is what the author wants you to feel. It is their own attitude. You will not be told the tone but will have to infer it (word choice). Example: It was a dark and stormy night…

17. Mood This is how we feel while we are reading a book or passage. The tone has an impact on this, but IT MAY NOT be the same. Mood is based on our own experiences, feelings, and perspective.

18. Pun a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings Mr. Mueller’s jokes are tear able. Take one. LOL I’ve been to the dentist many times, so I know the drill!

19. Oxymoron a figure of speech in which, what would normally be contradictory, opposite terms appear in conjunction (together in the same context) to take on a different meaning That dog is pretty ugly. Ms. Johnson is clearly misunderstood. Mrs. Reeves loves to eat jumbo shrimp.

20. Allusion Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. *The key is the person reading or listening has to know who the reference is* “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.” – “Romeo” is a reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate lover of Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet”.

21. Allegory Allegory is a lesson, figure of speech, or comparison using different characters and events to describe an idea. Aesop’s Fables What is the lesson in Little Red Riding Hood? What is the COMPARISON in this picture?