Figurative Language

Figurative Language A tool used to help the reader visualize (or see) what is happening in a story or poem. Similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, imagery alliteration, symbolism and idioms are all types of figurative language you will learn about in this unit.

The Simile A comparison using like or as. Usually a comparison of two unlike things • He swims like a fish • His eyes are as blue as the ocean. • His feet are as big as boats.

The Metaphor Stating that one thing is something else. It is a comparison without using “like” or “as” • The car was a sauna when I first got in! He has giraffe legs

Personification Giving human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to inanimate (non-human) objects. The flowers reached for the sun. The verb reached is a human action. Flowers are inanimate objects. This results in personification.

Onomatopoeia The formations or use of words such as splash or buzz that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions to which they refer.

Hyperbole An exaggeration of the truth. Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort, or reaction I haven’t seen her in forever!! I tried a thousand times!

Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant. There should be at least two repetitions in a row (or with an article/conjunction in between). Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. The first letter, p, is a consonant. Its sound is repeated many times.

Assonance Assonance is the repetition of the vowel sounds. There should be at least two repetitions in a row (or with an article/conjunction in between). “Try as I might, the kite did not fly.” The long “i” vowel sound is repeated many times.

Imagery Sight Sound Smell Touch Taste Appeals to the five senses using descriptive adjectives. Which of the five senses does the following example appeal to? The stench of his sweaty, moldy gym bag filled the air as he walked in the room.

Symbolism • Symbolism is using one thing (a symbol) to stand for or represent something else. • Symbols can represent feelings, math, countries, religions, people, sports, or words. Authors use symbols to represent ideas in their writing.

Idioms • An expression that means something other than the literal meaning of its individual words. They are overused expressions. Examples: It’s raining cats and dogs! She is getting under my skin these days! My grandfather is no spring chicken!

Oxymoron words or phrases in which contradictory or opposite terms are used together baby grand act naturally jumbo shrimp adult child climb down

The street cars are like frosted cakes covered with snowflakes. • The west wind dances down the road. • A train is a dragon that roars through the dark. • The band played to a small crowd at the concert. • She’s as tiny as a mouse. • Her blonde hair shined like the sun. • 7. Susan suddenly stretched slowly.

KEY to Practice! • The street cars are like frosted cakes covered with snowflakes. • The west wind dances down the road. • A train is a dragon that roars through the dark. • The band played to a small crowd at the concert. • She’s as tiny as a mouse. • Her blonde hair shined like the sun. 7. Susan suddenly stretched slowly. simile personification Metaphor and onomatopoeia oxymoron simile simile alliteration

Figurative Language