Figurative Language

Figurative Language

phrasing that goes beyond the literal meaning of words to get a message or point across

Simile

• A simile is a type of figurative language that describes something by comparing it to something else with the words like or as.

• I know that definition like the back of my hand.

• Those two are as different as night and day.

• He stood out like a sore thumb.

• That answer is as clear as mud.

• The mouse is as dead as a doornail.

  
  

Metaphor

• A metaphor is a word or phrase used to describe something as if it was something else. (a statement where you are saying that one thing is another)

• Life is a roller-coaster

• Mary's voice is music to my ears

• You are my sunshine

• Franklin has a heart of gold

• The world's a stage

Personification

• Personification is when an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. (human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman things)

• My alarm yelled at me this morning.

• My computer works very hard.

• The sunflowers hung their heads.

• This advertisement speaks to me.

• Can you see that star winking at you?

Onomatopoeia

• An onomatopoeia is a word that actually looks like the sound it makes, and we can almost hear those sounds as we read.

• slam, splash, bam, babble, gurgle, boom

• words for the sounds animals make:

  Dogs bark, ruff, woof, and howl. Cats meow, hiss, and purr. Frogs croak, chirp, and ribbit. Cows go moo. Horses neigh and whinny.

• words for the sounds made by water:

  Rain pitter-patters, drip-drops, and rat-a-tats on the tin roof. Rivers rush. Oceans crash, roar, and thunder against the shore.