Short Figurative Language

Figurative Language

"I literally don't know anything!"

​

​Not true!

​

​Figurative language is language that cannot be taken LITERALLY.

​We use it all the time to get our ideas across.

Multiple Select

Which of these is the best example of figurative language? (Choose 2!)

• It's freezing outside!

• I've been waiting in line for a million years! 

• Math is the worst class!

• It's raining cats and dogs!

​Let's see which examples you already know!

​For each question, I will see if you know the definition of the term and then if you can find an example of it.

​

​After, we will go over some examples.

​Simile

​A simile is a comparison that uses "like" or "as"

​

​The storm was as wild as a shark.

• ​Comparing the storm to a shark

​

​The girl sings like a bird.

• ​Comparing the girl's voice to a bird's

Multiple Choice

define simile 

• comparison using like or as

• comparison WITHOUT using like or as 

• I have no idea. 

Multiple Choice

Find the simile

• The girl was ready for action.

• My cat's toes are like little beans.

• We can begin as soon as you are ready.

​Metaphor

​A metaphor compares things WITHOUT using like or as.

​

​The sun is a coin that I hide in my pocket on rainy days.

• ​Metaphors are trickier than similes because the meaning usually is more implied (you have to figure it out) than explicit (directly stated).

• We can tell the metaphor is comparing the sun to a coin but what do you think this actually might mean?

• Some metaphors are subjective -- they can mean different things to different people.

​

​

Multiple Choice

define metaphor

• comparison using like or as

• comparison WITHOUT using like or as 

• I have no idea. 

Multiple Choice

Find the metaphor

• The whole world is a stage.

• That is one angry baby!

• My mom snores like a bear.

​Hyperbole

​This is extreme exaggeration to emphasize something.

​

​I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!

• ​Hopefully you won't really eat a whole horse! But, it does show that you're very hungry!

​

​There's like 500 people in this class now!

• ​While none of my classes could have 500 people in them, saying this would get your point across that the room is crowded!

Multiple Choice

define hyperbole

• extreme exaggeration

• I have no idea. 

• Giving nonhuman things human traits.

• A phrase that tells a lesson.

Multiple Choice

Find an example of hyperbole 

• My sister can run faster than a cheetah. 

• I had five hotdogs at the campfire. 

• I hardly sleep at all! 

​Personification

​This is when we give NONHUMAN things human-like traits. This is commonly done by using a verb or by giving them emotions.

​

​The flowers danced in the breeze.

• ​Flowers can move, but by saying they dance in the breeze gives us a different visual in our mind.

​

​The rain fell with fury.

• ​Rain does fall but adding with fury gives it an emotion and tells the audience that this was a very heavy

Multiple Choice

define personification

• extreme exaggeration

• I have no idea. 

• Giving nonhuman things human traits.

• A phrase that tells a lesson.

Multiple Choice

Find the example of personification

• The branches shook from the wind.

• The wind sang with sorrow.

• The boy danced like a professional.

​Idiom

​An idiom is a common phrase in a culture. It is never literal and other people from a different culture or who speak a different language would be very confused by it.

​

​Break a leg!

• ​If you told someone this who didn't know the idiom, they might be really upset that you want them to get hurt!

​

​It's raining cats and dogs.

• ​We say this in English to mean it's really raining, but other cultures have different idioms to get this idea across.

Multiple Choice

define idiom

• a generally accepted statement of truth 

• a phrase used to demonstrate a lesson or moral 

• a common phrase we use and is understood in our culture

• I have no idea. 

Multiple Choice

find the idiom

• This class will never end. 

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away. 

• That test was a piece of cake! 

Multiple Choice

The waves were thunderous as they crashed against the rocks.

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Alliteration

Multiple Choice

The glare of the sun was like a laser beam in his eyes

• personification

• metaphor

• simile

• imagery

Multiple Choice

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

• Imagery

• Personification

• Simile

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

The gleaming gold coins glittered in the sunlight. This alliteration implies that the coins:

• Reflected light in a dazzling manner.

• Were valuable and precious.

• Were made of real gold.

• Were the center of attention in the sunlight.

Multiple Choice

The sneaky serpent slithered silently in the shadows. This alliteration suggests that the serpent was:

• Hunting for prey in the shadows.

• Capable of making minimal noise.

• Existing in a specific environment.

• Moving in a secretive and sly manner.

Multiple Choice

The raging river rushed relentlessly downstream. This alliteration implies that the river was:

• Carrying a heavy load of water.

• Flowing with great force and intensity.

• Moving in a specific direction.

• Creating a loud and continuous sound.

Multiple Choice

The slippery slope sent the skier sliding down swiftly. This alliteration implies that the slope was:

• Smooth and difficult to grip.

• Leading to a rapid descent.

• Causing the skier to lose control.

• Presenting a challenge for the skier.

Multiple Choice

The grumbling thunder growled in the distance. This alliteration suggests that the thunder was:

• Emitting a low and menacing sound.

• Creating a sense of fear or unease.

• Moving in a specific direction.

• Present in a particular location (the distance).

Multiple Choice

What does the hyperbole "I have a million things to do today" mean?

• There is nothing to do today.

• There is a lot to do today.

• There is a million things to do today.

• You will not live long enough to see all million things get done

Multiple Choice

The apple is scrumptious

• 
  hyperbole

• not hyperbole

Multiple Choice

"If my crush notices the hole in my sock during gym, I'll die!"

What does this mean?

• You will die.

• Your sock will cause you to slip and fall. And you will die.

• You will be angry

• You will be embarrassed

Multiple Choice

The fall leaves are a billion different colors.

• hyperbole

• 
  not hyperbole

Multiple Choice

Yesterday I saw a shooting star.

• hyperbole

• 
  not hyperbole

Multiple Choice

Even the polar bears were wearing coats outside today.

What does this mean?

• Bears have started wearing coats

• It is the end of the world

• It is extremely cold outside

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a hyperbole?

• She is as pretty as a flower.

• She is a beautiful flower.

• Her beauty makes my heart sing

• She is the prettiest woman in the entire universe.

Multiple Choice

"The wind whistled a happy tune as I walked along the hard mountain trail."
What human characteristic is being given to the wind?

• Whistling

• Walking

• Happiness

• Hiking

Multiple Choice

"When Adele walked through the store, each shiny pair of high heels called out to her."
What is being personified?

• Adele

• High heels

• The store

• Her

Multiple Choice

"The lumberjack leveled many trees that day as his chainsaw sang its deadly song."
What is being personified?

• The lumberjack

• The chainsaw

• The trees

• The song

Multiple Choice

"After he ate the chocolate chip cookies, guilt poked and chewed at Anthony."
What human characteristic is being given to the guilt?

• Eating

• Chewing

• 
  Baking

• Making people guilty

Multiple Choice

"The storm moaned and groaned as if it's stomach hurt."
What human quality is NOT being given?

• Storming

• 
  Groaning

• Moaning

• Having a stomach ache