What is Figurative Language?
ž language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal meaning
ž Literal: fact
¡ Ex.: It is raining two inches per hour.
ž Figurative: not a fact
¡ Ex.: It’s raining cats and dogs.
ž uses exaggerations
ž very common in poetry, non-fictional stories, and every day American conversations
Literary Devices Used in FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
Simile: A simile is a comparison that often uses the words like or as.
ž Example: Jamie runs as fast as the wind.
¡ She is as beautiful as a flower.
¡ He is hungry like a lion.
¡ The stars shine like diamonds.
¡ The stars are as shiny as diamonds.
Metaphor: A metaphor is a comparison made between things that are not the same
ž similar to a simile, but does not use like or as
¡ Example: Nobody invites Carlos to parties because he is a wet blanket.
¡ Her eyes are stars in the night.
¡ I am a prisoner of the English language.
Personification: When something that is not human is given human-like qualities, this is known as personification
¡ Example: The leaves danced in the wind on the cold October afternoon.
¡ The cell phone died, it does not work.
¡ My computer is crazy, it lost my file.
Hyperbole: Exaggerating, often in a humorous way, to make a particular point
¡ Example: I ate like a pig.
¡ I've told you a million times don't exaggerate.
¡ If I don't get these jeans, I will DIE!
¡ Maybe I'll do it in a million years.
¡ I was so embarrassed, I thought I might die.
¡ I am so tired I could sleep for a year.
Onomatopoeia: Words spelled they way they sound & shows an action
¡ Example: The bees buzz angrily when their hive is disturbed.
¡ He banged on the drum.
¡ The phone beeped in class.
¡ The cat meowed at the dog.
Idiom
ž Cultural sayings
Homophone
ž Words that sound the same but have different meanings
Homographs
ž Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES:
ž Homographs: http://a4esl.org/q/h/lb/homof.html
ž Homographs: http://a4esl.org/q/h/lb/homop.html
ž Idioms: http://a4esl.org/q/h/idioms.html
ž Homophones: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/quiz/homophones.html
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE GAMES:
ž *FLING A TEACHER (most popular game): http://www.newton.k12.ks.us/tech/fling3.html
ž Hang-man Figure of Speech: http://www.quia.com/hm/80390.html
ž Homographs / 2 players can play: http://www.quia.com/cb/8285.html
ž Idioms / Answer correctly to creat a piece of art: http://www.funbrain.com/idioms/
