What Is Figurative Language?

Figurative Language
What is figurative language?

Figurative language is language that describes something by comparing it to something else. Figurative
language goes beyond the literal meaning of words to describe or explain a subject.
There are many types of figurative language, including similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, imagery
(see imagery review), personification, and hyperbole.
Simile
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things, usually using the words like or as.
Examples:
His feet were as big as boats. She’s as light as a feather.
The snow was like a blanket. She ate like a bird.
Metaphor
A metaphor compares two unlike things without using the words like or as. The comparison is instead made
using some form of the “be” verb.
Examples:
Her hair is silk. The football player is an ox.
My hands are ice.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of a consonant sound at the beginning of or within words. It is used to create a
melody, set a mood, highlight important words and lines, and point out similarities and contrasts between
elements of a poem or text.
Examples:
Sally sells seashells by the sea shore. Greta Gruber grabbed a group of green grapes.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that mimic sounds. Onomatopoeia is meant to reflect the actual sound of
something, thereby giving the text a more realistic feeling.
Examples:
Bang! Pop!
Sizzle Hiss
Hyperbole
A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement meant to heighten effect and emphasize a point.
Examples:
My phone rang a million times. You could have knocked me over with a feather.
It’s cold even the polar bears are wearing coats.
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an animal, inanimate object, or abstract concept is given human
characteristics.
Examples:
a smiling moon the rain kissed her face
art is a jealous mistress a jovial sun
the wind screams
Rhyme
The last words of the lines match with each other in some form. Either the last words of the first and second
lines would rhyme with each other or the first and the third, second and the fourth and so on.
Examples:
‘cat’ and ‘hat’
‘close’ and ‘shows’
‘house’ and ‘mouse’
Symbolism
A symbol can stand for many things at one time and leads the reader out of a systematic and structured method
of looking at things. Often a symbol used in the poem will be used to create such an effect.
Examples:
black means death, evil, bad things
a red rose means love, affection
Figurative Language
Through the Lens of a Lyric
Empire-State of Mind
By: Jay-Z ft./Alicia Keys
In New York,
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can't do,
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
Big lights will inspire you,
Lets here it for New York, New York, New York
1. What type of figurative language does the rapper use?
2. What is the meaning of the line?
Personification Worksheet
1. The wind sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. The microwave timer told me it was time to turn my TV dinner.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. The video camera observed the whole scene.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. The strawberries seemed to sing, "Eat me first!"
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Alliteration Worksheet
1. Underline the sound being repeated in the following examples:

a. The summer sun slid down behind the ridge.
b. In the distance, Horatio heard a horn blow.
c. Betty bought the baubles at the beauty parlor.
d. Rosa Parks raised a rallying cry for racial equality.
2. Analyze the following lines from famous poems. Identify which uses alliteration.
a. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon
b. Hurled headlong flaming from the ethereal sky with hideous ruin
c. One could do worse than be a swinger of birches
d. It is not sweet with nimble feet to dance upon the air!
Hyperbole Worksheet
1. My cat is so lonely, she spends all day sitting in front of the mirror looking to herself.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. My sister has such long legs, she needs to sit in the backseat to drive.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. My dog is so fast, the fleas have to use super glue to stay on.
Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. My aunt is so nice, my kids ran away to live with her.

Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. My friend is so crazy, he thinks the moon is really made of cheese.

Meaning: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Below, write an example of hyperbole to describe each of the following. The first
one has been done for you as an example.
1. Someone who is really large:
When he walked down the street, a shadow covered the entire park, bricks fell from the buildings,
and small children ran for cover.
2. Someone who is really beautiful:
3. Someone who is really tired:
4. Someone who is really full (from Thanksgiving dinner, maybe?):
5. Someone who is really smart:
Onomatopoeia Worksheet
Match the sound with the correct picture:
a____________ b______________ c______________ d_______________
e_____________ f______________ g______________ h_______________
Sound Bank
splish splash buzzzz meow clip clop
crunch popppp moooo brrrring
Write a paragraph using some types of figurative language
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What Is Figurative Language?

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What are the main types of figurative language discussed?

What are the main types of figurative language discussed?

What is personification and what is an example given?

What is personification and what is an example given?

Figurative Language

What is figurative language?

1. What type of figurative language does the rapper use?

2. What is the meaning of the line?

2. The microwave timer told me it was time to turn my TV dinner.

3. The video camera observed the whole scene.

4. The strawberries seemed to sing, "Eat me first!"

5. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.

1. Underline the sound being repeated in the following examples:

4. My aunt is so nice, my kids ran away to live with her.

5. My friend is so crazy, he thinks the moon is really made of cheese.

2. Someone who is really beautiful:

3. Someone who is really tired:

4. Someone who is really full (from Thanksgiving dinner, maybe?):

5. Someone who is really smart:

a____________ b______________ c______________ d_______________

e_____________ f______________ g______________ h_______________

splish splash buzzzz meow clip clop

crunch popppp moooo brrrring

Write a paragraph using some types of figurative language

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a b c d___

e_ f g h___