
Figurative Language Rap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K9pd6h9JT
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Definition
› A comparison of two unlike things using the
words like or as.
 Examples:
› His feet were as big as boats.
› She dances like a princess.
 Purpose
› Makes it easier for a reader to understand
the subject matter by comparing it to
something else.

Definition
› A comparison of two unlike things
describing one as if it were the other.
› Does not use like or as.
 Examples:
› Her hair is silk.
› She is a graceful swan.
 Purpose
› Makes it easier for a reader to understand
the subject matter by comparing it to
something else.

For each example below, identify
whether it is a simile or metaphor.
Write “S” next to the Similes and “M”
next to the metaphors.
1. The assignment was a breeze.
2. Her voice is music to his ears.
3. Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
4. Jim was boiling mad.
5. Her cheeks are red like a rose.
For each example below, identify
whether it is a simile or metaphor.
Write “S” next to the Similes and “M”
next to the metaphors.
1. The assignment was a breeze. (M)
2. Her voice is music to his ears. (M)
3. Our soldiers are as brave as lions. (S)
4. Jim was boiling mad. (M)
5. Her cheeks are red like a rose. (S)
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

Definition
› An exaggeration
Examples:
› My date last night was the most beautiful girl in
the world.
› My backpack weighs a ton!
› I told you to clean your room a million times!
Purpose
› To make feelings seem more intense.
› To emphasize a point for an amusing effect.
As a table, come up with
one hyperbole about
homework.

Definition
› Repeated sounds occurring at the beginning of


words
› This should be used intentionally, not coincidentally
› At least 2 words in the same sentence need to have
the same sounds
Examples:
› But a better butter makes a batter better.
› Circe sat near the silent sea.
Purpose
› Creates a musical effect in the text that enhances the
pleasure of reading.
Write one sentence that contains
alliteration.
› The example sentence must use an
animal.
**Remember, with At least 2 words
in the same sentence need to have
the same repeated sounds**
Definition
› Human characteristics are given to nonhuman
things.
 Examples:
› The leaves danced in the wind.
› The mountain held the clouds on its
shoulders.
 Purpose
› To bring inanimate (non-living) things to life,
so that their nature and actions are
understood in a better way.

1. Create one example of
personification using a tree.
Definition
› A word that mimics a sound (Sound words)
 Examples:
› The dishes fell to the floor with a clatter.
› The clucking chickens are driving me crazy!
 Purpose
› To create a more engaging piece of writing by
including the sense of sound in the event that
occurred

1. Create one example of
onomatopoeia that could be
used to describe a violent storm.
Definition
› A common expression that means something other
than its actual words. (should be well-known)
› You don’t take the words literally.
› It doesn’t quite mean exactly what it says
› Also known as an “Idiomatic Phrase”
 Examples:
› It’s raining cats and dogs. = It’s raining really hard
› I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. =?
› Sally got up on the wrong side of the bed! =?
 Purpose
• Convey complex ideas in a few words
• Ensure the understanding of a listener

Explain what the following idiom
means:
*Feel a little under the weather*
 Definition:
› An overused expression.
 Examples:
› “Everything happens for a reason.”
› “Love conquers all.”
• Purpose
• Convey complex ideas in a few
words
• Ensure the understanding of a listener
1. Think of one cliché involving
looks/beauty
•
•
•
An idiom CAN be a cliché, but doesn’t HAVE to be
Some idioms have been used so much that they have
become a cliché.
Not ALL clichés are idioms, and not all idioms are cliché.
Clichés that ARE idioms
Clichés that ARE NOT
idioms
• Think outside the
box
• See the glass half
half full
• Love is blind
• Fall head over
heels
• Money doesn’t
grow on trees
• Only time will tell
• Lost track of time
time
Idioms that ARE NOT
cliché
• Good riddance
• Play our cards
right
• Every cloud has
its silver lining.
Definition:
› A brief reference to a person, place, or event of historical, cultural,
literary, or political significance.
› Does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers.
› The writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot
the allusion and grasp its importance.
› Often explained in the foot notes.
 Examples:
› Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her (Allusion to “Romeo and
Juliet”) = don’t act so romantic
› I think your nose is growing (allusion to “Pinocchio”) = you are lying.
•
Purpose
• Enables a writer to simplify complex ideas and emotions.

Complete the chart below by explaining a situation in
which the allusion would be used.
Ex:
1
2
Allusion
Situation
“May the force
be with you”
“He is like the
Hulk.”
“Don’t be a
Scrooge”
When a teacher passes
out a test to students.
Definition:
› Language that appeals to a reader’s sense of
sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch.
› Helps a reader visualize the story
 Examples:
› “The lake was icy blue. The only sound that
could be heard was the chirping of distant
birds. The air was cool and crisp on my skin
and I could see my breath in the morning air.”
• Purpose :

•
allows an author to express thoughts more vividly or to
bring out emotions in readers
 Work
with your group to describe the
cafeteria using one of your five senses
 Table
1-Sight
 Table 2-Sound
 Table 3-Touch
 Table 4-Taste
 Table 5-Smell
 Table 6-Your choice
Definition
› An expression in which two contradictory words
appear side by side
› Often, at least one word’s meaning cannot be taken
literally.
 Examples:
› Jumbo Shrimp
› Working Vacation
› Small Crowd
• Purpose

• Create an ironic sense of humor
• Emphasize certain qualities or ideas
 With your group, explain how
each of these are examples of
oxymorons.
1. Minor crisis
2. Unbiased Opinion
Definition
› A statement that seems to contradict itself, but may
be true.
 Examples:
› “No one goes to that restaurant because it is
overcrowded.”
› “Don’t go near the water ‘til you have learned how
to swim.”
• Purpose
• attracts the reader’s attention and gives emphasis
to a concept or story
• creates an unusual thought or visual image with
words
• conveys a tone of irony

Explain how each of the each of the following
represents a paradox:
1. In order to make money you have to spend
money.
2. “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is
very important that you do it.” –Gandhi
Oxymoron
Paradox
• A statement
• Seen as a
thought or logic
game
Both
• Two words
Contradictory • Example:
(seem like
o Awfully
opposites)
good
• Example:
o Alone
o “This statement is
together
false.”
o You have to be
cruel to be kind.
Definition
› A humorous play on words which suggests
multiple meanings
 Examples:
 “Where do pancakes live? In a flat!”
 “I used to be a baker but I didn’t make
enough dough.”
 “Wanna go on a picnic, alpaca lunch!”
• Purpose
 amusement
 reinforce meaning

With your group, explain how this is an
example of a pun.
-“Seven days without pizza makes one
weak.”
Then, write your own pun!
Definition:
› Repeated vowel sounds within words.
› The author does this intentionally, not on
accident.
 Examples:
› Some ship in distress that cannot live.
› Wear it here and there and everywhere.
• Purpose
• Improves the rhythm and flow of a poem
• Forces the reader to pay attention to certain
words
• Engages a reader’s attention

 Write
two examples of
assonance. One of the two must
not rhyme!
Definition:
› Repetition of consonant sounds within or at
the end of words
› The author does this intentionally, not on
accident.
 Examples:
› “But the father never answered a word.
› “We passed the last tree.”
• Purpose

•
•
•
Improves the rhythm and flow of a poem
Forces the reader to pay attention to certain
words
Engages a reader’s attention
 Write
two sentences that use
consonance. One may not rhyme!
For each example below, identify whether it
uses assonance or consonance. Write “A”
next to the example of assonance and “C”
next to the example of consonance, or if you
see both write “C and A”
1. We light the fire on the mountain.
2. I feel depressed and restless.
3. The ship has sailed to the far off shores.
4. The engineer held the steering wheel.
5. And yet we knew that gentle clock meant
nought.
For each example below, identify whether it
uses assonance or consonance. Write “A”
next to the example of assonance and “C”
next to the example of consonance.
1. We light the fire on the mountain. (A)
2. I feel depressed and restless. (C & A)
3. The ship has sailed to the far off shores. (C)
4. The engineer held the steering wheel. (C &
A)
5. And yet we knew that gentle clock meant
nought. (C)
Definition:
› An idiomatic expression which replaces
words and phrases considered to be harsh
or impolite.
› Eu = Good
 Examples:
› “Kick the bucket” is a euphemism for death.
› “Downsizing” is a euphemism for firing
someone.
• Purpose
• To make a harsh or impolite word or phrase
sound more polite or proper.

Create a euphemism for one
of the following:
-going to the bathroom
-purchasing a used car
-someone who is short in
height
 Definition:
› A question asked just for effect or to
emphasize a point when no real
answer is expected.
› May have an obvious answer.
 Examples:
› “To be or not to be?”
› “It’s too hot today, isn’t it?”
• Purpose
• Often used in persuasive speeches to
emphasize a point.
Think back to the story
“Amigo Brothers.” Create a
rhetorical question to end
that story, instead of the way
it did end with both boys
walking out of the ring arm in
arm.