Figurative Language

Figurative Language is a tool that an author uses to help the reader

visualize (or see) what is happening in a story or a poem.

SimileA simile is a comparison using like or as. It compares two dissimilar objects.

Example…His feet were as big as boats.

We are comparing the size of feet to boats.

Metaphor

A metaphor states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison, but it does NOT use like or as to make the comparison.

Example…Her hair is silk.

The sentence is comparing (or stating) that hair is silk.

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. Sometimes the word names a thing or action by copying the sound.

Example…The basketball went swish through the net.

Personification

Personification is giving human qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics to inanimate (non-living) objects.Example…. The window winked at me.

The verb, wink, is a human action. A window is an inanimate object. Therefore, we have a good example of personification.

Alliteration

Alliteration is the repeating of the initial consonant in neighboring words.

Example… The slippery snake squirmed through Samson Street.

The repeated sound is “s”

Idiom

Idiom – An expression used in a special manner.

Example…Cat got your tongue?

Some Popular Idioms

• Button your lip• He has a green thumb• Monkey Business• Hit the hay• Do you have ants in your pants?• Head in the clouds• Cold feet• Under the weather

Some Popular Idioms Continued

• Green with envy• In the dog house• A drop in the bucket• Leave a bad taste in your mouth• In a pickle• Music to my ears

Hyperbole

Hyperbole – An extreme exaggeration.

Example…I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

Decide whether the following examples are…1. Simile2. Metaphor3. Onomatopoeia4. Idiom5. Alliteration6. Personification7. Hyperbole

The ceramic cup crashed on the coffee colored counter.

The ceramic cup crashed on the coffee colored counter.

Alliteration

Brian was a wall, stopping every shot that came his way.

Brian was a wall, stopping every shot that came his way.

Metaphor

Hold your horses.

Hold your horses.Idiom

The advertisement called out to the viewers watching TV.

The advertisement called out to the viewers watching TV.

Personification

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

Hyperbole

The bee went buuzzzzz around the flower.

The bee went buuzzzzz around the flower.

Onomatopoeia

Those two girls are like peas in a pod.

Those two girls are like peas in a pod.

Simile

Bill was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.

Bill was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.

Simile

Let’s go on a scavenger hunt…

1. You and a partner will try to find 1 example of each of the following types of figurative language.

2. Write the example, book title, and page number.3. Also, explain how the example fits the type of

figurative language you identify it as. For example, if it is a simile, explain what is being compared.

4. You may use any book in the room including your SSR book, SS or Science texts, or any book from the classroom library.