Introduction to Figurative Language

Contributed by:
Ivan
An introductory lesson on figurative language and where it is used. When you describe something by comparing it to something else, this is figurative language.

1.

Go Figure!
Figurative Language
2.

The opposite of literal language is figurative
language. Figurative language is language
that means more than what it says on the
™ It usually gives us a feeling about its subject.
"= Authors and poets use figurative language
almost as frequently as literal language. When
you read, you must be conscious of the
difference. Otherwise, a text may make no
sense at all.
3.

“I’ve eaten so much | feel as if | could
literally burst!”
= In this case, the person is not using the word
literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact!
or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the
statement is not exaggerated, the person
stresses how much he has eaten.
Literal language is language that means
exactly what is said.
Most of the time, we use
literal language.

4.

Whenever you describe something
by comparing it with something else,
you are using figurative language.

5.

™ Imagery
™ Simile
™ Metaphor
" Alliteration
™ Personification
™ Onomatopoeia
™ Hyperbole

6.
Repeated consonant sounds occurring at
the beginning of words or within words.
Example: She was wide-eyed and
wondering while she waited for Walter
to waken. ee

7.



8.

" A dialect is a form of language that is
poken in a certain place or by a certain
group of people. Diale may differ in
pronunciation, vocabulary, and gramma

xample: “Yes’m. | RA
eckon tha wha 7]
should do.”
i fh
9.





A flashback is an interruption of the action
to present a scene that took place at an
earlier time.
Example: “As soon as |
saw the trophy my mind
was transported back to
and had just won that
award for...”
10.

Foreshadowing is when an author
provides clues or hints that suggest future
Example: “Charlotte took
the dirk that Zachariah
gave her and put it under
her mattress. She hoped
she wouldn’t need to think
of it again, but alas, that
would not be the case.

11.
™ An exaggerated statement used to
heighten effect. It is not used to
mislead the reader, but to emphasize
a point.
Example: She’s said so on several
million occasions.

12.
™ Language that appeals to the senses.
Descriptions of people or objects
stated in terms of our senses.
¢ Sight
¢ Hearing
¢ Touch
° Taste
¢ Smell

13.
A figure of speech which involves an
implied comparison between two relatively
unlike things using a form of be. The
comparison is not announced by like or
Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped
through the dessert.

14.

The use of words that mimic
Example: The firecracker made a
loud ka-boom!

15.
A figure of speech which gives the
qualities of a person to an animal, an
object, or an idea.
Example: “The wind yells while blowing."
The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can

16.
A figure of speech which involves a
direct comparison between two
unlike things, usually with the words
like or as.
Example: The muscles on his brawny
arms are strong as iron bands.
17.
" A symbol or symbolism is a person, place,
object or an action that stands for
something beyond itself.
te |
I |
18.



19.

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: "She has a bee
in her bonnet," meaning
"she is obsessed,"
cannot be literally
translated into another
language word for word.
20.



= Paint by Idioms (Game)
a Alliteration or Simile? (Quiz

aphors (PPT


= The Search for Similes, Me


aphors, and Idioms


a ere (PPT)












oeia (PPT
i fat on os
® Hy
Idioms (PPT)

= Simile (PPT)

21. Teaching Similes and Metapho
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© Alliteration Lesson Plan and Resources
™ Hyperbole- Lesson Plans and Resources
= Idiom Lesson Plan
= Imagery- Lesson Plans and Resources
= Lesson Plan for Puns
™ Onomatopoeia- Lesson Plans and Resources
= Personification Lesson Plans and Resources
= Proverbs- Lesson Plans and Resources