Figurative Language
Adding Sensory Details to Poetry
Similes
 Defined
 Comparing two things using like or as
 Examples
 He is sneaky as a snake
Metaphors
 Defined
 Comparing two things without using like or as
 Usually uses is, are, was, were
 But not always
 Examples
 My niece is a fish in the water.
Personification
 Defined
 Giving human qualities to non-human things
 Examples
 The flowers danced in the wind.
Hyperbole
 Defined
 An exaggeration
 Blowing something out of proportion for dramatic effect
 Examples
 I have a ton of homework tonight!
Onomatopoeia
 Defined
 Words that are sounds
 Examples
 The door banged as the student slammed it shut.
Sensory Poems
 Defined
 Poetry that appeals to the five senses
 Utilize figurative language to help engage the senses
 Example:
Serenity is blue.
It’s the sound of water as it dances over rocks.
It tastes like cotton candy slowly melting on my tongue.
It smells like a thousand spring blossoms suspended in mid-air.
Blue serenity feels like the purr of a content kitten.
Directions: Create your own sensory poem using the directions on the handout. Use each type of
figurative language at least once somewhere in your poem.