Figurative Language

1. SimileAn indirect relationship where one thing or idea is described as being similar to another. Similes usually contain the words “like” or “as,” but not always.

“The moon appeared crimson, like a drop of blood hanging in the sky.”

2. Metaphor A direct relationship where one thing or idea

substitutes for another.

“The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught his prey.”

3. Personification Where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human

qualities.

The wind stood up and gave a shout.He whistled on his fingers and

Kicked the withered leaves aboutAnd thumped the branches with his hand

And said he'd kill and kill and kill,And so he will and so he will.

James Stephens, The Wind

4. Alliteration The repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity,

usually in consecutive words within the same sentence or line.

“Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where are the pickled peppers Peter picked”

6. Onomatopoeia When words describing sounds actually sound like the sounds they describe.

"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is."

Slogan of Alka Seltzer

7. Hyperbole A description that exaggerates, usually employing

extremes and/or superlatives to convey a positive or negative attribute; “hype.”

“I’ve told you a million times to clean up your room.”

A direct quote from every mother in America

8. Idiom An expression that doesn’t make literal sense but has

come into use through cultural influences, i.e. colloquial phrases.

“Kids today are so spoiled. They expect to have their cake and eat it, too.”

A direct quote from every grandparent in America