Go Figure Figurative Language Recognizing Figurative Language n

Go Figure! Figurative Language

Recognizing Figurative Language n Figurative language is the opposite of literal language. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. n Most of the time, we use literal language. n Literal is exact n n Figurative language is language that does not literally mean what the words say. n Figurative language is an exaggeration or feeling.

Types of Figurative Language n Imagery n Simile n Metaphor n Alliteration n Personification n Onomatopoeia n Hyperbole n Idioms

Simile n A direct comparison between two unlike things, using the words like or as. Example: Poor as a church mouse. strong as an ox, cute as a button, smart as a fox. bald as an eagle, neat as a pin, proud as a peacock, ugly as sin. thin as a toothpick, white as a ghost, fit as a fiddle, dumb as a post. Use fresh similes when you speak and you write, so your friends will think you are quite clever and bright.

Metaphor n an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: n n n The noise is music to his ears She swam in a sea of diamonds His hair is a messy haystack He tried to help but his legs were wax Ideas are wings She is a beacon of light in a sea of darkness

Alliteration n Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. n Examples: Rain races, Ripping like wind. Its restless rage Rattles like Rocks ripping through The air. She was wideeyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to wake up from a coma.

Personification n A figure of speech which gives human qualities to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: The Stubborn Car by Louis B. the cars were running by yelling in their deep voices I yell back “be quiet out there” it ignores me I yell it again the car behind it tells it to listen to me the car tells me “forget you” I throw a toy car at it the car blows its exhaust at me I scream “stupid car” then I shut my window

Onomatopoeia n The use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a loud ka-boom! Hiss n Rattle n Bang n Boom n Pop Crackle Snap Thud

Hyperbole n An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: n n n I’m so hungry I could eat a horse I almost died laughing I’ve told you a million times already My backpack weighs a ton I run faster than the speed of light

Idiom n An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for -word in another language. Example: Don’t let the cat out of the bag: Don’t tell anyone the secret! A Chip On Your Shoulder: Being upset for something that happened in the past. You’re bouncing off the walls: You are acting hyper and crazy. I have big shoes to fill. I have to do something that the person before me did really well at. I am also expected to do well.

Refrain n Definition: a group of words repeated at key intervals in poetry. From Latin which means “to repeat”

Example of a Refrain You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise.