Figurative Language

“Figuring it Out”

How do I know what the author is really trying to accomplish with his/her words?

Literally: words function exactly as definedThe car is blue.He caught the football.

Figuratively: figure out what it means

I’ve got your back.You’re a doll.

Figures of Speech

Figurative and Literal Language

Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”

Examples

The metal twisted like a ribbon.

She is as sweet as candy.

Simile

Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.

A comparison must be made.

Not a Simile: I like pizza.

Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

Important!

Two things are compared without using

“like” or “as.”

Examples

All the world is a stage.

Men are dogs.

Her heart is stone.

Metaphor

Giving human traits to objects or ideas.

Examples

The sunlight danced.

Water on the lake shivers.

The streets are calling me.

Personification

Exaggerating to show strong feeling or

effect.

Examples

I will love you forever.

My house is a million miles away.

She’d kill me.

Hyperbole

A word that “makes” a sound SPLAT PING SLAM POP POW

Onomatopoeia

A saying that isn’t meant to be taken literally.

Doesn’t “mean” what it says Don’t be a stick in the mud! You’re the apple of my eye. I have an ace up my sleeve.

Idiom

When two words are put together that contradict each other. “Opposites”

Jumbo Shrimp Pretty Ugly Freezer Burn

Oxymoron

when a series of words repeat the same consonants or sounds in a line or verse

Symbolism - using a word or phrase to represent an idea. When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, he/she can just use symbolism to hint at it, rather than just blatantly saying it.  Symbolism can be found almost anywhere, not only in literature.

Symbolism•He is a rock: This signifies that he is strong and dependable. Symbolism in the form of a metaphor.

Everyday symbolism in

colors:•Black is used to represent

death or evil.•Red can symbolize blood,

passion, danger, or immoral

character.

William Blake refers to life cycle and uses sunflowers to represent humankind and that they desire everlasting life.

“Ah Sunflower, weary of time, Who countest the steps of the sun; Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the traveler’s journey is done;”

Tone = the attitude that an author takes toward the audience, the subject, or the character. Tone is conveyed through the author's words and details. (Examples: witty, sarcastic, angry, serious, haunting, playful, sympathetic, etc.)

Tone and Mood

Mood = emotions that you feel while you are reading. (Examples: cheerful, gloomy, content, relaxed, depressed, bittersweet, scared, etc.)

On your bell ringer paper or a separate sheet of paper…

1. I will put an example of figurative language on the board.

2. You will write whether it is an simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom, onomatopoeia, or oxymoron.

3. You can use your notes.

Quiz

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

1

2

The sun was beating down on me.

3

A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

4

Ravenous and savagefrom its longpolar journey,

the North Wind

is searchingfor food—

5

Dinner is on the house.

6

The clouds smiled down at me.

10.

SPLAT!

11

She is as sweet as candy

12

I could sleep forever!

13

The wheat field was a sea of gold.

14

She was dressed to the nines.

15

Old news

16

She was as white as a ghost.

17