Figurative Language

Figurative and Literal LanguageLiteral Language: words function and are

interpreted exactly as definedThe car is blue.Ryan caught the football.

Figurative Language: language that cannot be understood and interpreted as it is writtenI’ve got your back.You’re a doll.I have a ton of homework.

Similes Definition: a form of comparison in which one

thing is compared to another thing by using the specific words of comparison “like” or “as”

Example: The workers were as busy as bees trying to get the stadium ready for the home opener.

Comparison: This figurative language compares the workers’ level of energy to a fast-flying bee. Therefore, the workers’ energy level is high.

Metaphors Definition: comparisons between two unlike

things, in which one thing becomes another thing without the use of specific words like “like” or “as”

Example: Clayton is a pig when he eats. Comparison: It is very unlikely that Clayton

transforms into a pig every time he eats. We all know that pigs are messy, loud eaters who intake large amounts of food. This figurative language, therefore,shows the reader how sloppily and unpleasantly Clayton eats.

Metaphors Continued… Explicit metaphor: directly stated comparison;

an explicit metaphors use a verb such as is to tell us that one thing is something else.

Example: The thief is a snake in the night. Implied metaphor: not directly stated; Rather

than saying one thing is something else, an implied metaphor suggests that one thing is something else. Example: Slithering through the night, the thief scaled the walls and slid between the window sills.

Idioms Definition: a group of words whose

meaning is different from the ordinary meaning of the words

Example: The math test was a piece of cake.

Literal Interpretation: The math test was a slice of cake, specifically chocolate with chocolate frosting.

Figurative Interpretation: The math test was very easy to complete.

Hyperboles Definition: a great exaggeration used to

emphasize a point; an overstatement of a fact or possibility

Example: I am so hungry I could eat a horse. Explanation: A hyperbole is an exaggeration.

No one could really eat a whole horse, no matter how hungry they are. This figurative language is used to show the reader that the person is really hungry.

Personification Definition: giving a nonhuman object human

abilities, qualities, or reactions Example: The wind whistled through the

empty forest. Explanation: Personification gives a human

quality to a non-human thing. In the sentence above, the wind, a non-living thing, is said to be whistling. However, the wind does not have lips like a person and therefore cannot whistle.

Alliteration Definition: the repetition of a single letter

consonant sound or same kinds of sounds at the beginning of two or more consecutive words. The purpose of alliteration is to catch a reader’s attention; reading alliteration is enjoyable and often times humorous. Think of an alliteration as a tongue twister.

Example: “While I nodded, nearly, napping, suddenly there came a tapping…” The Raven By Edgar Allan Poe.

Onomatopoeia Definition: produced by a single word that

sounds like the thing it refers to. Example: As Julia tripped over the rock, all

that was heard was the SPLAT of the ice cream scoop hitting the ground.

Explanation: Onomatopoeia is the imitation of sound to send the reader a clearer picture of what happened, more specifically the sound.

Other Examples: Hiss, crack, tick-tock, buzz, slam, etc.

Oxymoron Definition: An oxymoron is a contradiction

in a sentence. An oxymoron puts side by side contradictory or opposing elements.

Example: Even though everyone thought the black duckling was pretty ugly, he turned out to be a beautiful swan.

Explanation: The contradiction in this sentence is pretty and ugly. They mean the complete opposite and therefore they create an oxymoron. Usually, something is either pretty or ugly, but not both.

Pun Definition: a play on words; a joke based on

words or phrases with several meanings; words or phrases that sound alike, but have different meanings

Written in context: An elephant's opinion carries a lot of weight.

Explanation: An elephant is an animal known to weight a lot. Therefore, saying an elephant’s opinion carries a lot of weight is a joke.

IronyDefinition: a literary technique that

involves surprising, interesting, or amusing contradictions; a contrast between expectation and reality

 Example: The fire station burned down. Explanation: It would be rather surprising

and ironic if a fire station burned down don’t you think?

Let’s Practice!

Together, let’s underline the figurative language in each of the following sentences and then we will determine which type of figurative language each is.

My sister wears so much make-up that she loses 30

pounds when she takes it off at night.

The old car grumbled as grandpa tried to start the

engine.

The old car grumbled as grandpa tried to start the

engine.

The Energizer Bunny was arrested and charged with

battery.

The first rays of morning tiptoed through the meadow.

The scared child ran like a cheetah from the haunted

house.

“I have a ton of homework,” groaned Sarah.

The hiss of the snake was menacing.

“Put a lid on it,” Dawson said to the talkative boy.

A deafening silence fell over the crowd as the watched the

tragedy.

In 1912 the Titanic was touted as "100% unsinkable", and yet

the ship sank on its maiden voyage.

The wheat field was a sea of gold.

Carly cares a lot about koala bears.

“The Oreo cookies were calling my name,” stated Corey.

When Brooke, the drama queen, tried out for the school play, she was certain she would be

awarded the lead part. However, when the cast list was posted she had been assigned

to be the leading lady’s servant.

High above, a silver plane crossed the sky, silent as a

spider.

“I have a million things to do today!” complained Grace as

she hurried out the door.

Humor is the shock absorber of life; it helps us take the blows.

Although the cowboy pushed with all his might, the heavy

rock refused to budge.

He slithered into town quietly so no one would notice when he dug his fangs in and slowly

poisoned their minds.

“My heart just did a somersault in my chest,” said Taylor.

If you throw a cat out a car window does it become kitty

litter?

The snow was a white blanket on the ground.

The rain drops danced along the windowpane.