Figurative Language Review
‘Figurative’ vs. ‘Literal’
• ‘Literal’ means exact, real, or not exaggerated
Felix Baumgartner fell so fast that he literally broke
the sound barrier.
It’s not an exaggeration. He REALLY did it.
‘Figurative’ vs. ‘Literal’
• So be careful when you say something like:
“I literally died laughing when he told that joke.”
Really? I doubt that.
‘Figurative’ vs. ‘Literal’
• ‘Figurative’ means not literal or exaggerated
• Authors use figurative language to make their
writing more interesting.
There are many different methods of using
figurative language – you’ve probably heard of
many of them.
Simile
• A simile is a comparison of two unlike things
using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’
EX: He’s as fast as a speeding bullet.
EX: She devoured her burger like a lion attacking
a zebra.
Metaphor
• A metaphor is a comparison of two unlike
things without using like or as.
EX: The river was a ribbon of life winding
through the arid desert.
EX: The sun is a glowing orb of orange in the
evening sky.
Hyperbole
• Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration.
EX: Sally took a million years to get ready this
morning.
EX: I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. I’m
starving to death!
Personification
• Personification is giving human traits or
qualities to non-human things.
EX: The sun smiled down on them.
EX: The wind whispered through the trees.
EX: Jim closed his eyes as the gentle arms of
sleep wrapped around him.
Onomatopoeia
• Onomatopoeia is the use of words that mimic
sounds.
• EX: Boom, crash, tick/tock, screech