Figurative Language
How can I identify and
interpret
figurative language?
Simile
A simile is a comparison of twothings using the words “like” or “as”.
That bug is as dead as a doornail.
His back felt stiff as a board.
Jason felt like a fish out of water.
Ethan was like a bull in a china shop.
Famous similes
“Your love is like a rollercoaster, baby.”
“When I’m gone, I’ll miss youlike a child misses her blanket.”
“I love you like fat kid loves cake.”
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that expresses anA metaphor is a figure of speech that expresses anidea through comparison with another object, butidea through comparison with another object, but
metaphors do metaphors do NOTNOT use like or as. use like or as.
These biscuits are rocks.
Raymond is a bear when he’s tired.
After the hurricane, Jason was a wreck.
Metaphor
Generally, metaphors use a form of theverb “to be.” See underlined examples above!
These biscuits are rocks.
Raymond is a bear when he’s tired.
After the hurricane, Jason was a wreck.
Famous metaphors
Generally, metaphors use a form of theverb “to be.” See underlined examples above!
“We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year.” –Pink Floyd
“You be the prince and I’ll be the princess. It’s a love story, baby, just say yes.” –Taylor Swift
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esuQIMr8nNw&feature=related
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is an exaggeration for emphasis or effect. Likeother figurative language, hyperbole is used to createa certain image or idea, and is not meant to be taken
literally.
“Strong as 10 regular men, definitely.” –Aladdin
“You know I’d walk 1,000 miles if I could just see you tonight.” –Vanessa Carlton
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
Personification
When we give human characteristics to aWhen we give human characteristics to anon-human object or idea, it is called personificationnon-human object or idea, it is called personification.
Have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are? They’re always laughing. Even in winter-time I’ve heard them under the ice.
Personification
Obviously, we know brooks don’t laugh. However, bypersonifying the brooks, the author allows the reader to
imagine the sound of the running water flowing in the brook.
Have you ever noticed what cheerful things brooks are? They’re always laughing. Even in winter-time I’ve heard them under the ice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKexdSZNiLc&feature=related
Idioms
An idiom is a phrase which people use in everyday language. It means something completely
different than what the actual words mean.
“Yeah, that will happen when pigs fly!”
“Break a leg!”
onomatopoeia
An onomatopoeia demonstrates a sound.They imitate the sound they sound like.
The noisy chicken cluckedclucked her head off!
The little kid slurpedslurped his soup.
The bees buzzedbuzzed into their hives.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial letter, sound, Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or a group of sounds in a series of words. or a group of sounds in a series of words.
The skunk sat on a stump.
The sixth sheep is sick.
Proverb/Adage
Proverbs are popular sayings which contain advice Proverbs are popular sayings which contain advice or state a generally accepted truth. or state a generally accepted truth. It is old.It is old.
Good things come to those who wait.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck,
and quacks like a duck, it is a duck.
Tone
Tone – The author’s implied attitude towards the subject and audience
ex: informal or formal, bitter, playful, serious
Never Never DisagreeNever, never disagree with a shark beneath the sea, Least you feel a sudden crunch and discover you are lunch.
-Jack Prelutsky
.
Lines
Line: text consisting of a row of words written.Line: text consisting of a row of words written.
Who Has Seen the Wind?Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,The wind is passing by.
Rhyme Scheme
Rhyme Scheme-patterns of rhyme between the Rhyme Scheme-patterns of rhyme between the lines of a poem.lines of a poem.
Who Has Seen the Wind?Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,The wind is passing by.
Stanza
A stanza is a set of lines in a poem. Poetry paragraph.A stanza is a set of lines in a poem. Poetry paragraph.
Who Has Seen the Wind?Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you:But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.
Who has seen the wind?Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their heads,The wind is passing by.