Figurative Language

​🎨 Figurative Language: Making Words Come Alive!

Authors use special words to help us see, hear, and imagine while we read.

What Is Figurative Language?

Figurative language uses words in a special way to make writing more fun and clear.

It helps readers:
👀 see pictures in their minds
👂 hear sounds
💭 imagine feelings

Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like the noise it makes.

Examples:

• buzz

• bang

• splash

• pop

Example sentence:
The balloon went pop!

Alliteration

Alliteration is when words close together start with the same sound.

Examples:

• silly snake

• busy bees

• tiny turtle

Example sentence:
The big brown bear slept.

Personification

Personification means giving human actions or feelings to things.

Examples:

• The sun smiled.

• The wind whispered.

Example sentence:
The leaves danced in the wind.

Imagery

Imagery uses describing words to help you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something.

Example sentence:
The soft, warm sand slipped through my toes.

Figurative Language Chart

Type	What It Does	Example

Onomatopoeia

Makes sound words

boom

Alliteration

Same starting sounds

big blue ball

Personification

Things act like people

the sun smiled

Imagery

Creates a picture

bright, hot sun

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence. Choose the figurative language type.

The bacon went sizzle in the pan.

• Onomatopoeia

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence. Choose the figurative language type.

The lazy lizard lay in the sun.

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

• Personification

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence. Choose the figurative language type.

The stars winked at me.

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence. Choose the figurative language type.

The cold, icy wind froze my cheeks.

• Imagery

• Personification

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

Multiple Choice

What is figurative language?

• Using only facts

• Writing rules

• Using words in a special way to help readers imagine

• Naming characters

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has onomatopoeia?

• The soft cat slept.

• The bell went ding.

• The sun smiled.

• The blue sky was bright.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence shows alliteration?

• The dog barked loudly.

• The rain fell softly.

• The tiny turtle trotted.

• The wind howled.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses personification?

• The snow was cold.

• The moon followed me home.

• The stars are bright.

• The sky is dark.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has imagery?

• The dog ran fast.

• The warm, golden sun shone on my face.

• The sun is hot.

• The day was nice.

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence:

Crash! The thunder shook the house.
What type of figurative language is crash?

• Imagery

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Onomatopoeia

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence:

The happy flowers waved in the breeze.
What type of figurative language is used?

• Imagery

• Onomatopoeia

• Personification

• Alliteration

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence:

The slippery, wet floor felt cold under my feet.
What type of figurative language is used?

• Alliteration

• Personification

• Onomatopoeia

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence:

Busy bees buzzed by the blue bush.
What type of figurative language is used?

• Onomatopoeia

• Personification

• Imagery

• Alliteration