RL 7.4: Hanging Fire

​RL 7.4: Figurative Language
"Hanging Fire"

By Paul Turner II

​The exact, dictionary meaning of the words — what they actually say.

​​Literal Meaning

​​The deeper or symbolic meaning — what the words really mean beyond their surface to create emotion or imagery.

Figurative Meaning

“My heart is beating fast.”

VS

"​My heart is breaking.”

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative to their literal meaning

• “She has a heart of gold.”

• “The classroom was a zoo.”

• “It’s raining cats and dogs.”

• “He’s a night owl.”

• “I’m drowning in homework.”

Very kind and generous

Out of control

Very heavy rain

staying up late

Feeling of being overwhelmed

• Very kind and generous

• Out of control

• Very heavy rain

• staying up late

• Feeling of being overwhelmed

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative to their literal meaning

• The flowers danced in the spring breeze.

• The city is a jungle full of danger and excitement.

• I am so hungry I could eat a mountain of pizza.

• His smile was as bright as the morning sun.

• Time flies when you're having fun.

moving gently

very dangerous place

extreme hunger

very cheerful feeling

events pass quickly

• moving gently

• very dangerous place

• extreme hunger

• very cheerful feeling

• events pass quickly

Lines – The words of the poem, usually shorter than sentences in a story = ???

Stanzas – Groups of lines, like paragraphs in a poem = ???

Rhyme – Words that sound alike at the end of lines = ???

Rhythm – The beat or pattern of the poem when you read it aloud = ???

Imagery – Words that make pictures in your mind by describing sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or feelings = ???

​Parts of a Poem

​The sky glows orange, pink, and gold,
The clouds like cotton, soft and bold.
The birds fly home, their wings in tune,
The sun dips low, goodbye to noon.

A gentle breeze brushes my face,
The flowers sway with quiet grace.
The river sparkles in the light,
And stars peek out to say goodnight.

​Giving non-human things human qualities 

Ex. The car’s muffler screamed loudly as it passed the house.

Personificiation

​Comparing 2 things using “like” or “as” 

Ex. The ball whizzed through the air like a rocket blasting in the sky.

​​Simile

​Comparing 2 things without using “like” or “as”

Ex. The boy was a hibernating bear in his bed.

​​Metphor

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative language type with it's definition

• Her laughter was like a bubbling brook on a sunny day.

• Time is a thief that steals our moments.

• The wind whispered secrets through the trees.

Simile

Metaphor

Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

• Personification

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative language type with it's definition

• The classroom was a zoo with kids running everywhere.

• He ran as fast as a lightning bolt across the field.

• The old clock gasped as it struck midnight.

Metaphor

Simile

Personification

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

A figurative phrase/ expression that means something else

Ex. Beating around the bush = Avoiding someone or a task

​​Idiom

Exaggerations/ claims not meant to be taken seriously

Ex.  I'm so hungry, I could eat all the food here.

Hyperbole

Use an object or image to stand for an idea or feeling Ex: A “dove” represents peace; A “hawk” represents war

Symbolism/Imagery

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative language type with it's definition

• I’ve waited a million years for the movie to start.

• Break the ice

• A set of keys sitting across a jail cell.

Hyperbole

Idiom

Symbolism/Imagery

• Hyperbole

• Idiom

• Symbolism/Imagery

Match

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Match the following figurative language type with it's definition

• A sudden rainstorm when you broke up with someone.

• Hit the nail on the head

• He ran so fast, he could outrun a cheetah.

Symbolism/Imagery

Idiom

Hyperbole

• Symbolism/Imagery

• Idiom

• Hyperbole

Read the first stanza of this poem and think of:

Step #1: Find the figurative language by spotting words or phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say.

Step #2:Think about the comparison or image and what feeling or idea it creates.

Step#3: Explain the meaning in your own words to show how it’s different from the literal meaning.

Lines: 1-2
Lines: 3-5
Lines: 8-11

1-I am fourteen

2-and my skin has betrayed me

3-the boy I cannot live without

4-still sucks his thumb

5-in secret

6-how come my knees are

7-always so ashy

8-what if I die

9-before morning

10-and momma’s in the bedroom

11-with the door closed.

Dropdown

RL7.4: Figurative Language

Read the lines and determine the literal ideas the author is conveying figuratively



1-I am fourteen 2-and my skin has betrayed me. ​ ​

Select answer

​ ​ ​

3-the boy I cannot live without 4-still sucks his thumb 5-in secret ​ ​

Select answer

6-how come my knees are7-always so ashy ​

Select answer

8-what if I die 9-before morning 10-and momma’s in the bedroom 11-with the door closed.​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

RL 7.2: Summary-Which statement gives the best summary of lines 1–11 of the poem?

• A girl explains her morning routine and how she gets ready for school before leaving home.

• A teenager describes doing a science experiment in class and recording her results carefully.

• A fourteen-year-old girl worries about growing up, her skin, and mom’s distance.

• A young girl talks about playing outside, having fun, and spending time with friends nearby.

Categorize

Options (4)

2 – “and my skin has betrayed me”

“the boy I cannot live without / still sucks his thumb”

“how come my knees are / always so ashy”

“what if I die / before morning”

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Drag and Drop the lines of the poem with their type

Personification

Symbolism/Imagery

Hyperbole

Read the first stanza of this poem and think of:

Step #1: Find the figurative language by spotting words or phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say.

Step #2:Think about the comparison or image and what feeling or idea it creates.

Step#3: Explain the meaning in your own words to show how it’s different from the literal meaning.

Lines: 12-13
Lines: 14
Lines: 15-18
Lines: 19-21
Lines: 22-23

12-I have to learn how to dance

13-in time for the next party

14-my room is too small for me

15-suppose I die before graduation

16-they will sing sad melodies

17-but finally

18-tell the truth about me

19-There is nothing I want to do

20-and too much

21-that has to be done

22-and momma’s in the bedroom

23-with the door closed.

Dropdown

RL7.4: Figurative Language

Read the lines and determine the literal ideas the author is conveying figuratively



12-I have to learn how to dance 13-in time for the next party​​

Select answer

14-my room is too small for me​

Select answer

15-suppose I die before graduation16-they will sing sad melodies17-but finally 18-tell the truth about me​

Select answer

19-There is nothing I want to do 20-and too much 21-that has to be done​

Select answer

22-and momma’s in the bedroom 23-with the door closed.​

Select answer

Multiple Select

RL 7.2: Summary-Which statements best summarize lines 12–23 of “Hanging Fire”? (Select all that apply)

• The speaker worries about growing up and responsibilities.

• The speaker feels pressure to meet expectations like dancing.

• The speaker enjoys parties and wants to be popular at this upcoming one.

• The speaker feels lonely because her mom is distant.

Categorize

Options (6)

15 – “suppose I die before graduation”

12–13 – “I have to learn how to dance / in time for the next party”

19–21 – “There is nothing I want to do / and too much / that has to be done”

16 – “they will sing sad melodies”

18 – “tell the truth about me”

14 – “my room is too small for me”

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Drag and Drop the lines of the poem with their type

Hyperbole

Metaphor

Imagery

Read the first stanza of this poem and think of:

Step #1: Find the figurative language by spotting words or phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say.

Step #2:Think about the comparison or image and what feeling or idea it creates.

Step#3: Explain the meaning in your own words to show how it’s different from the literal meaning.

Lines: 1-2
Lines: 3-5
Lines: 8-11

24-Nobody even stops to think

25-about my side of it

26-I should have been on Math Team

27-my marks were better than his

28-why do I have to be

29-the one

30-wearing braces

31-I have nothing to wear tomorrow

32-will I live long enough

33-to grow up

34-and momma’s in the bedroom

35-with the door closed.

Dropdown

RL7.4: Figurative Language

Read the lines and determine the literal ideas the author is conveying figuratively



24-Nobody even stops to think 25-about my side of it​

Select answer

26-I should have been on Math Team 27-my marks were better than his​ ​

Select answer

28-why do I have to be 29-the one 30-wearing braces​ ​

Select answer

31-I have nothing to wear tomorrow

32-will I live long enough33-to grow up​

Select answer

34-and momma’s in the bedroom

35-with the door closed.​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

RL 7.2: Summary-Which statements Should NOT be included in a summary of lines 24–35?

• The speaker worries about her future and growing up.

• The speaker talks about a hobby unrelated to worries.

• The speaker feels lonely and scared.

• The speaker reflects on responsibilities she must handle.

Categorize

Options (5)

24 – “Nobody even stops to think / about my side of it”

29 – “I have nothing to wear tomorrow”

30–31 – “will I live long enough / to grow up”

26-my marks were better than his”

28 – “why do I have to be / the one / wearing braces”

RL 7.4: Figurative Lang.-Drag and Drop the lines of the poem with their type

Hyperbole

Imagery

Metaphor

Complete Your
Exit Ticket:

"Shifting Seasons"
1 Poem
5 Questions
Closes at end of class