Figurative Language

Introducing… Figurative Language Created by: Ms. Jones Click on the arrow to go to the next slide.

Introduction Authors often use figurative language in both literature and poetry to enhance their writing. Figures of speech present ordinary things in new or unusual ways. They communicate ideas that go beyond the words’ usual, literal meanings. Click this arrow to go back one slide… Or this arrow to go to the next slide.

Objectives By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to: Recognize seven figures of speech Identify figurative language in poems

Directions In the first section, you will be introduced to seven figures of speech and examples of each. You must correctly answer a multiple choice question about each term before moving on to the next. But don’t worry – you’ll be given a chance to review and re-do a question if you answer incorrectly.

Definition: Imagery Think of it this way: Descriptive writing that appeals to the senses (sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing) When a writer uses imagery, the descriptive writing helps create a picture or image in your mind. Imagery = Mental Image

Example: The hot July sun cast an orange glare over the ocean waves. Imagery

Another example: The cool waves crashed over my feet as we walked along the gritty sand. Imagery

Which of the following is another example of imagery?(Click on a sentence to select your answer.) There is a white bird in the sky. The delicate white bird flew gracefully through the blue sky. I heard the birds and saw them flying. Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Remember: When a writer uses imagery, he or she chooses words that will appeal to some or all of the reader’s five senses. Think about which of the sentences most appeals to your five senses. Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! “The delicate white bird flew gracefully through the blue sky” is an example of imagery because it gives the reader a mental image by appealing to the senses. Click the arrow to continue.

Definition: Simile Example: She ran like the wind. Comparing two unlike things using like or as Explanation: Running and the wind are unlike things. When you compare the speed of running to the speed of the wind, you are using a simile.

More examples: The snow was as thick as a blanket. She was as light as a feather. You are acting like a baby. He felt like a bug under a microscope. His temper was as explosive as a volcano. Simile

Which of the following is NOT another example of a simile?(Click on a sentence to select your answer.) He’s as messy as a pig when he eats. He eats like a pig. He is a pig. Read the question carefully before answering! Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again When a writer uses simile… Two unlike things are being compared The words like or as are being used to make the comparison Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! “He is a pig” is NOT a simile because even though it does compare two unlike things, it does not use the words like or as. Click the arrow to continue.

Metaphor Remember the definition of simile has two parts: • Two unlike things are being compared • The words like or asare used to make the comparison The definition of a metaphor is similar to the definition of a simile but there is one important difference between the two. There will also be two parts to the definition of a metaphor.

Metaphor vs. Simile Simile:Fido is like a teddy bear. Simile:Fido is as soft as a teddy bear. Metaphor:Fido is a teddy bear. Use the following examples to figure out the definition of metaphor. Simile:That boy is like a pig. Simile:That boy is as messy as a pig. Metaphor:That boy is a pig.

Which of the following is the correct definition for metaphor?(Click on a definition to select your answer.) Comparing two similar things by using like or as Comparing two similar things without using like or as Comparing two unlike things by using like or as Comparing two unlike things without using like or as Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Simile: Fido is likea teddy bear. Simile: Fido is as soft as a teddy bear. Metaphor: Fido is a teddy bear. Take another look at these examples. Consider this…Are the two things being compared like or unlike each other? Are there keywords that are used in one figure of speech that are not used in the other? Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! Metaphors compare two unlike things without using like or as. Although similes and metaphors both compare unlike things, metaphor do not use the words like or as.

Alliteration Brad wore his blue and brown blazer. Hank held his head high. Larry loves lemonade and lolly pops. Six swans went swimming in the sea. Take a look at the following examples of alliteration. You will later select the best definition for this figure of speech.

Have you figured it out yet? Here are more examples to help refine your definition. Alliteration Alliteration  Sue shook her silky silver hair as the sun was setting. NOT AlliterationElizabeth easily eyed an elephant in the elevator.

Which of the following is the best definition for alliteration?(Click on a definition to select your answer.) Repetition of beginning consonant sounds Repetition of beginning vowel sounds Repetition of ending consonant sounds Repetition of ending vowel sounds Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Look at this example again. Six swans went swimming in the sea. Think about what is repeating. Is it a consonant sound or a vowel sound? Is it at the beginning or end of the words? Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! It’s important to note that not every word in the sentence has to begin with the same letter in order for it to be considered alliteration. In the above example, only 5 out of 8 words begin with an “s”. Alliteration is the repetition of beginning consonant sounds, such as “Six silly swans went swimming in the sea.”

Hyperbole My backpack weighs a ton. Think about the following examples of hyperbole. You will later select the best definition for this figure of speech.

Another example: Hyperbole The wolf was 100 feet high.

More examples: Hyperbole You could have knocked me over with a feather. I’ve told you a million times!

Which of the following is the best definition for hyperbole?(Click on a definition to select your answer.) A major understatement; the opposite of exaggeration A true statement that accurately describes a person, place, or thing A major exaggeration or overstatement used for emphasis or humor Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Think about the examples again. The wolf was 100 feet high. My backpack weighs a ton. Are these true statements? Does it understate or overstate the truth? Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! Hyperbole is a major exaggeration or overstatement. Authors use this figure of speech to emphasize a point or add humor. Think about many times in a day you exaggerate what you say and use hyperbole.

When you see this: You often hear this: Onomatopoeia Buzz Start thinking about what you think is best definition for this figure of speech. Ring Buzz and ring are both examples of onomatopoeia.

More examples: When you see this: You often hear this: Onomatopoeia Moo Boom Quack

Which of the following is the best definition for onomatopoeia?(Click on a definition to select your answer.) A word that looks like its meaning A word that imitates a sound A word that only describes animal sounds Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Think carefully about the words buzz, bang, and moo. Do these wordslooklike their meanings? Do these words sound like their meanings? Do these words only describe sounds that animals make? Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates a sound. Other examples include: screech, whirr, sizzle, crunch, bang, pow, zap, roar, growl, click, snap, crackle, and pop.

Definition: Personification Think of it this way: Giving human traits or characteristicsto something that is not human, such as animals, objects, or non-living things When a writer uses personification, he or she gives characteristics of a person to an animal, object or thing.

Example: Personification The willow tree shook her long hair. Explanation: The example is referring to the way that the willow tree’s long branches sway in the wind. By saying “shook her long hair”, the tree is given characteristics of a human.

More examples: The car danced across the icy road. The angry clouds marched across the sky. The stars in the clear night sky winked at me. The tulips nodded their headsin the breeze. Personification

Which of the following sentences contain personification?(Click on a sentence to select your answer.) The wind juggled the leaves. The wind blew the leaves. The wind moved the leaves. Click this arrow if you’d like to review before answering.

Try Again Think carefully about the choices. The wind juggled the leaves. The wind blewthe leaves. The wind moved the leaves. Which one of the verbs describes something that only a human does? Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! “The wind juggled the leaves” is an example of personification.

Part TwoDirections You’ve made it through the first part of the tutorial! Now you will be given poems and asked to choose which figure of speech is shown. You will be able to look back at a definition page to help you along the way.

Definitions Alliteration: Repetition of beginning consonant sounds Hyperbole: A major exaggeration or overstatement Imagery: Descriptive writing that appeals to the senses Metaphor: Comparing two unlike things without using like or as Onomatopoeia: A word that sounds like its meaning Personification: Giving human traits or characteristics to something that isn’t human Simile: Comparing two unlike things using like or as Click on the button to return to the previous slide.

Untitled Which figure of speech is highlighted in the above poem? (Click on the figure of speech to select your answer.) SimileAlliteration MetaphorOnomatopoeia Bang! The starter’s gun— thin raindrops sprint. -Dorthi CharlesKnock at a Star Click this button if you’d like to review the definition page before answering.

Try Again Simile: Comparing two unlike things using like or as Alliteration: Repetition of beginning consonant sounds Metaphor: Comparing two unlike things without using like or as Onomatopoeia: A word that sounds like its meaning Take a look at the definitions below and decide which figure of speech is being used when the poet says, “Bang!” Click the arrow to try again.

You’re Right! “Bang!” is an example of onomatopoeia because it is a word that sounds like its meaning.

“The Wind” The wind stood up, and gave a shout; He whistled on his fingers, and Kicked the withered leaves about, And thumped the branches with his hand, And said he’ll kill, and kill, and kill; And so he will! And so he will! - James StephensKnock at a Star Which figure of speech is highlighted in the above poem? AlliterationPersonification OnomatopoeiaHyperbole

Try Again Alliteration: Repetition of beginning consonant sounds Personification: Giving human traits to something that isn’t human Onomatopoeia: A word that sounds like its meaning Hyperbole: A major exaggeration or overstatement Take a look at the definitions below and decide which figure of speech is being used when the poet says, “The wind stood up, and gave a shout / He whistled on his fingers”. Click the arrow to try again.

When James Stephens says, “The wind stood up, and gave a shout / He whistled on his fingers”, he is using personification. He is giving human characteristics, such as shouting and whistling on fingers, to the wind. You’re Right!

Figurative Language