Figurative Language Literal vs Figurative Literal actual I

Figurative Language

Literal vs. Figurative • Literal = actual – “I literally got hit by lightning” = someone actually got hit by lightning – “I literally died from laughter” = someone actually died from laughing (but how would they live to tell the tale? – Many people use the phrase incorrectly! Unless something actually happened, don’t say “literally”!

Figurative Language • Figurative language: – used with a meaning that is different from the basic meaning and that expresses an idea in an interesting way by using language that usually describes something else • Special use of language

Devices we will study: • • Metaphor Simile Personification Alliteration • • • Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Imagery Allusion Irony

Metaphor • a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar • Doesn’t use “like” or “as”

Examples of metaphor • You are a pig – Describes someone who is a slob • Juliet is the sun – Romeo compares Juliet’s beauty to the sun • He is my rock – This describes someone who is strong and stable

Simile • A comparison using “like” or “as” –Same idea as a metaphor, but it uses those specific words

Examples of simile • Life is like a box of chocolates – Life is unexpected, just like when you bite into a piece of chocolate because you don’t know what filling is inside! • He is as strong as an ox – Comparison to oxen, which are strong animals who are often used to haul heavy objects

Personification • Giving human qualities to non-human entities (e. g. , animals, inanimate objects, etc. ) • Again, like a metaphor because it is a comparison

Examples of personification • The wind whispered – Comparing wind to a human voice • Time creeps up on you – Follow someone who doesn’t know your there, so time is slowly passing without you being aware • The frogs sang – Frogs can’t actually sing, but their croaking is being compared to singing

Alliteration • The repetition of beginning sounds of words • Repeating the first letter of a word

Examples of alliteration • Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore • From forth the fatal loins of these two foes

Onomatopoeia • Words that imitate sounds • • • Ding! Pop! Crash Whisper Murmur Giggle

Hyperbole • An exaggeration • Describing something as better or worse than it really is

Examples of hyperbole • My homework took me a million years to complete! – Homework took a long time to do • I am so hungry I could eat a horse • Her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shining – Her eyes are so luminous and pretty

Imagery • Language that creates a visual in the reader’s head • Paints a picture • Usually describes a scenery • Involves descriptions that affect the sense: sight, sound, smell, touch, taste

Examples of imagery • Rain fell softly on the red rose petals as the wind blew the branches of the trees – You are able to picture this scene in your head • The children were screaming and shouting in the fields – Though this has to do with sound, you can still imagine this experience

Irony • the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really think especially in order to be funny • a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what you expected • Verbal irony – Sarcasm • Dramatic irony – The reader knows something that the other characters don’t

Examples of irony • An ambulance running over the person it was supposed to help • http: //www. viralnova. com/funny-ironicphotography/ • “Whoever thought of having school start at the crack of dawn was a genius!” – Verbal irony (sarcasm) • King Duncan not knowing that Macbeth is planning to murder him while the audience is aware of this – Dramatic irony

Allusion • Making a reference to an outside text – Mentioning another book, film, painting, etc. • Biblical allusions are the most popular: – Moses – The Garden of Eden – Satan – Revelations – Cain and Abel – Job

Examples of allusion • “When he calls to me, I am ready I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain Even after three times, he betrays me” – Lady Gaga is alluding to the story of Judas • Moves like Jagger – Allusion to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones who is known for his unique dancing • “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood – Siren is a creature in Greek mythology

QUIZ ON FRIDAY!

Due Friday • Select 5 of the 9 figurative language devices and come up with an example from songs, movies, tv shows, books, etc. Metaphor Simile Personification Imagery Alliteration Irony Allusion Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Include the name of the text, the sentence, the device, and an explanation: “I came in like a wreaking ball” by Miley Cyrus. A girl in a relationship is compared to a wreaking ball because she was intense and hurt her boyfriend.