Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Miss L. S. WallisMiss L. S. Wallis

Berry Shoals Intermediate SchoolBerry Shoals Intermediate School

Spring, 2003Spring, 2003

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

There are many different types.There are many different types.

It is used in stories and reports.It is used in stories and reports.

It adds interest and details.It adds interest and details.

Common Types ofCommon Types of Figurative Language Figurative Language

Hyperbole: Extreme exaggerationHyperbole: Extreme exaggeration

Idiom: Using words different from theirIdiom: Using words different from their

meaningmeaning

Metaphor: Comparing two things withoutMetaphor: Comparing two things without

using “like” or “as”using “like” or “as”

Simile: Comparing two things using Simile: Comparing two things using

“ “like” or “as”like” or “as”

HyperboleHyperbole

The key to this exaggeration is that it is an The key to this exaggeration is that it is an EXTREME EXAGGERATION!EXTREME EXAGGERATION!

It is used to emphasize your point.It is used to emphasize your point.

Examples:Examples:

My mother exploded when she saw the mess.My mother exploded when she saw the mess.

Her face turned blood red.Her face turned blood red.

She told me a million times to clean up my room.She told me a million times to clean up my room.

IdiomsIdioms

An idiom is a word(s) used in a different way An idiom is a word(s) used in a different way from its usual or dictionary meaning.from its usual or dictionary meaning.

Examples:Examples:

1.1. Sarah and Emeshia ironed out their problems.Sarah and Emeshia ironed out their problems.

2.2. You’re pulling my leg.You’re pulling my leg.

3.3. She had the audience in the palm of her hand.She had the audience in the palm of her hand.

MetaphorsMetaphors

To begin this comparison, think of two things To begin this comparison, think of two things that have something in common such as that have something in common such as their color, size, shape, or behavior. their color, size, shape, or behavior.

Examples:Examples:

1.1. A speed skater and a roadrunnerA speed skater and a roadrunner

2.2. Blue eyes and the oceanBlue eyes and the ocean

3.3. Springtime air and light perfumeSpringtime air and light perfume

Metaphors cont.Metaphors cont.

Then create your sentence…Then create your sentence…

The skater in the red shirt is a real roadrunner.The skater in the red shirt is a real roadrunner.

Her angry blue eyes were oceans about to storm.Her angry blue eyes were oceans about to storm.

The light perfume was the green springtime air swirling The light perfume was the green springtime air swirling around our heads.around our heads.

SimileSimile

Now, you may use the words “like” or “as” Now, you may use the words “like” or “as” when comparing two things!when comparing two things!

Examples:Examples:

1.1. Mother heard sounds like a ghost rattling chains.Mother heard sounds like a ghost rattling chains.

2.2. Mother is as jumpy as a black long-tailed cat in a room Mother is as jumpy as a black long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.full of rocking chairs.

3.3. She ran like the wind when she saw the drapes move.She ran like the wind when she saw the drapes move.

Colorful LanguageColorful Language

Figurative languageFigurative language adds adds colorcolor to your writing by to your writing by putting pictures in the minds of your readers to help them putting pictures in the minds of your readers to help them

understandunderstand the written word. the written word.

Using different types can help to make your writing more Using different types can help to make your writing more

interestinginteresting to your reader. to your reader.

It adds It adds detailsdetails beyond basic understanding. beyond basic understanding.

After a gazillion slides the show is over. After a gazillion slides the show is over. (Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)(Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)The show stopped short of boring. The show stopped short of boring. (Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)(Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)The end was a sunset readying our written The end was a sunset readying our written world for bright tomorrow. world for bright tomorrow. (Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)(Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)The end came like a door slamming shut. The end came like a door slamming shut. (Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)(Hyperbole, Idiom, Metaphor, or Simile)

…….The End.The End