(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Figurative Language
©2012 Andrea M. Bentleyhttp://rightdownthemiddleblog.blogspot.com/
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
What is figurative language?• Figurative Language: words
are used in an imaginative way to express ideas that are not literally true
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Types of Figurative Language
Simile Metaphor Personification
Hyperbole Idiom Oxymoron
Paradox Symbol Pun
Allusion Onomatopoeia Irony
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Simile• Simile: a figure of speech that makes
a comparison between two unlike things using like or as
• Examples:1. Anna’s smile was like a
welcoming rainbow.2. He was as scared as a cat.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Metaphor• Metaphor: a comparison of two things that are basically unlike but have some qualities in common
• Examples: 1. He was a ghost moving
among the guests. 2. New York City is a melting
pot for different cultures in America.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Personification• Personification: giving human qualities to an animal, object, or idea
• Examples:1. The tree danced in the wind.2. As I looked up in the night
sky, the sparkling stars winked at me.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Hyperbole• Hyperbole: a figure of speech in which the truth is exaggerated for emphasis or humorous effect
• Examples:1. I was so exhausted I could
sleep for one hundred days.2. There were a million people
at the dance tonight!
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Idiom• Idiom: an expression whose
meaning cannot be determined by its literal expressions
• Examples: 1. The boy decided to turn over
a new leaf for this school year. 2. I am going to have to draw
the line there; I will not do it.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Oxymoron• Oxymoron: a figure of speech
made up of contradictory parts
• Examples:Civil War Doing nothing Easy labor
Good grief Hard cushion Minor crisis
Quiet storm Upside down Well-preserved ruins
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Paradox• Paradox: a statement or situation that
seems contradictory but reveals a truth
• Examples:1. This is the beginning of the end.2. Don’t go near the water until
you’ve learned to swim.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Symbol• Symbol: an object, character, or
idea that is used to represent something else
• Examples:
American
Death
Chinese
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Pun• Pun: a play on words that are similar in
sound but different in meaning; humorous
• Examples:1. I used to sell computer parts,
but then I lost my drive.2. I used to be a Velcro salesman,
but couldn’t stick with it.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Allusion• Allusion: a reference to something
outside the work in which it is found
• Example:1. John never spends any money. He is no Scrooge, but he rarely buys
anything unless it is essential. John is being referred to Scrooge in
A Christmas Carol by Dickens.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Onomatopoeia• Onomatopoeia: the use of words
whose sounds echo their meanings
• Examples: Buzzzz…
Moooo…
croak
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Irony• Verbal Irony: the use of words to
express the opposite of their literal meaning
• Situational Irony: an outcome contrary to what was or might have been expected
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Practice on your own…Directions: Tell what type of figurative language is used in the following sentences.
1. The boy was a caged lion waiting to escape. 2. The rain tickled the leaves as it fell from the
sky. 3. I am so hungry, I could eat a house!4. The swan is as white as the snow falling. 5. Please don’t cry wolf too many times.
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Practice on your own…ANSWERS
Directions: Tell what type of figurative language is used in the following sentences.
1. The boy was a caged lion waiting to escape. metaphor
2. The rain tickled the leaves as it fell from the sky. personification
3. I am so hungry, I could eat a house! hyperbole4. The swan is as white as the snow falling. simile5. Please don’t cry wolf too many times. idiom
(C) 2012 Andrea M. Bentley
Credits• Clipart obtained from Microsoft Word 2010
clipart library
Thank you for your interest in this product. If you like it, please leave feedback on my TpT store. Permission is granted for use in your classroom only with your students.
© 2012 Andrea M. BentleyFor more ideas for your classroom, visit my blog at http://rightdownthemiddleblog.blogspot.com/ .
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