Figurative vs. Literal Language

What is a heart?

"It is infinitely better to transplant a heart than to bury it to be devoured by worms." - Christiaan Bernard (the first surgeon to transplant a heart)

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius, Chinese Philosopher

In the chat box, type any questions, unknown words, and/or what you notice about these two quotes.

Transplant a Heart

• This is talking about a REAL heart

• The author used LITERAL language to describe his feeling about hearts

• LITERAL means the author is using strict language to describe something

Going with your Heart

• This is not talking about an actual HEART

• This author used FIGURATIVE language to describe his feelings about doing something

• FIGURATIVE means the author is no longer using strict meaning of a word but is using it to describe something else

Multiple Choice

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt by the heart. - Helen Keller

• Figurative (not talking about a real heart)

• Literal (talking about an actual heart)

Multiple Choice

The recommendation for a healthy heart may one day be exercise, eat right, and laugh a few times a day. - Michael Miller, MD

• Figurative (not talking about a real heart)

• Literal (talking about an actual heart)

Multiple Choice

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. - Nelson Mandela

• Figurative

• Literal

Multiple Choice

Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart. - Anne Frank

• Figurative

• Literal

Multiple Choice

Your heart beats 100,000 times in one day about about 35 million times a year. - NOVA Website

• Figurative

• Literal

Multiple Choice

Which quote is using figurative language?

• Keep close to Nature's heart. - John Muir

• Your heart is a pump. It pushes blood all over your body. - Bill Nye the Science Guy

Multiple Choice

Which quote is using literal language?

• Throw your heart over the bars and your body will follow. - Trapeze Artist

• There is only one quality worse than hardness of heart and that is the softness of head. - Theodore Roosevelt