Figurative Language
Figurative Language
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is used when a writer describes something
using comparisons that go beyond literal
meaning. The words mean more than what
they say on the surface.
is NOT MEANT to be interpreted by the
definition of the words.
is used in poetry, literary text, informational
text, as well as in everyday speech.
A simile is a comparison between two
unlike things that have something in
common.
A simile always uses the words “like” or
“as” to make a comparison.
EXAMPLE: Her dress is as bright as the
sun.
A metaphor is a figure of speech
comparing two unlike things that have
something in common.
A metaphor DOES NOT CONTAIN the use
of the words “like” or “as”.
EXAMPLE: Her dress is the bright sun.
Onomatopoeia is the imitation of
natural sounds in word form.
These words help us form mental pictures
about the things, people, or places that are
described.
EXAMPLES: buzz, bang, pop, sizzle, roar
Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which
exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
DO NOT confuse a hyperbole with a simile or
metaphor (because it often compares two items).
However, the difference is that with a hyperbole the
comparison is an exaggeration.
EXAMPLES: I could sleep for a year.
I nearly died laughing.
I had a million dishes to wash last night.
Repetition is when one or more words are
repeated to show urgency or importance.
EXAMPLE: Dig it oh dig it oh dig it oh!
EXAMPLE!!!
Dig it oh oh oh, dig it
I don't have to dig tomorrow because I have
the gold tube.
Dig it oh oh oh, dig it
I wish I could talk to my mom and tell her I'm
sorry.
Dig it oh oh oh, dig it
Mr. Sir's sunflower seeds were easy to snatch.
Dig it oh oh oh, dig it
That Stanley thinks he's tough, but I'm tougher.
Dig it oh oh oh, dig it
Personification is when an author gives
an idea, object, or animal human
characteristics or traits.
EXAMPLE: The tree danced in the wind.
The tree is the object….danced is the
human characteristic.
A few other examples of
personification….
The camera loves me!
The car sprinted down the road.
The sun greeted me this morning.
Can you think of an example of personification?
Alliteration is the repetition of usually
initial consonant sounds in two or more
neighboring words or syllables.
When writers want to emphasize certain
words, they may use alliteration.
EXAMPLE: Sally sold seashells at the seashore.
Directions: In your spiral notebook, complete a vocabulary chart for
each of the following words:
simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, hyperbole,
personification, and alliteration
Define the vocabulary word
Examples from the Notes
Draw a picture that represents
the vocabulary word.
Create your own example of
the vocabulary word.