Literal and Nonliteral Lesson

Dahl & Narratives:

Figurative Language​

​Language that uses words or expressions that don’t have literal meaning. The words are used to create an image or suggest an idea.

​

Example:

Hold your horses!

Zip it!​

​Non-literal Language

(or Figurative Language)​

​Language that is true to fact and is meant to be taken seriously. The words mean exactly what they say.

Example:

​Wait a minute!

Be Quiet!​

Literal Language

Literal vs. Nonliteral​

​Read the sentences on the next slides and determine if the language is LITERAL or NONLITERAL

Multiple Choice

Is the following underlined phrase literal or nonliteral?

Mary tried the new recipe April made, and it left a bad taste in her mouth.

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Multiple Choice

Is the following underlined phrase literal or nonliteral?

There was a little bird sitting outside my window. All day long it chirped and whistled. It was pretty at first, but it go so annoying by the end of the day. It drove me up the wall.

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Multiple Choice

Is the following underlined phrase literal or nonliteral?

I studied for my science test, so it should be a piece of cake!

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Multiple Choice

Is the following underlined phrase literal or nonliteral?

My little sister was playing with toy cars. She drove them over the carpet, kitchen floor, tables, and chairs. She even drove them up the wall in the living room!

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Multiple Choice

Is the following underlined phrase literal or nonliteral?

I love chocolate and vanilla frosting. Can you hand me a piece of cake?

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Figurative Language

Writers use a lot of figurative language to help readers better understand something or gain a more detailed picture in their minds.​

The main kinds of Figurative Language are:

• Similes

  • figures of speech that directly compare two things, usually using ‘like’ or ‘as’

    • For example, “She felt as cold as ice”, “I slept like a log”.

​

The main kinds of Figurative Language are:

• ​Metaphors

  • phrases that are used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but have something in common.

    • For example, “The snow is a white blanket”, “Their home was a prison”.

​

The main kinds of Figurative Language are:

• ​Hyperbole

  • figures of speech that use exaggeration to express strong feelings.

    • For example, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!”, “They had been walking so long that John thought he might drink the entire lake when they found it”.​

The main kinds of Figurative Language are:

• Personification

  • a figurative language that gives human characteristics, emotions, and behavior to animals and inanimate object or idea.

    • For example, "You can hear the trees whisper in the dark." or "The stars danced in the midnight sky."

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

"Life is a highway; I'm going to ride it all night long!"

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

"And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while."

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

"The wind is howling like the swirling storm inside..." is personification and ___________.

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

"Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof!"

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

"You know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight."

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Multiple Choice

What kind of figurative language is the following sentence?

My heart's a stereo

It beats for you, so listen close,

Hear my thoughts in every note

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

• Hyperbole

Poll

Rate your understanding of Figurative Language:

• I could teach this to my classmates!

• I got this!

• I'd like some more practice!

• I'm so lost!