Figurative Language - creative words and phrases

Figurative Language - creative words and

phrasesFigurative language includes the use of

personification, similes, and metaphors.

PersonificationPersonification is a way of writing that gives human traits to animals

or nonliving things.

Remember - PERSONification

The operation is over. On the table, the knife lies spent, on its side, the bloody meal smear-dried upon its flanks. The knife rests.

(Richard Selzer, "The Knife")

# "Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. There was no one there."

(English proverb quoted by Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos)

# "Oreo: Milk’s favorite cookie."(slogan on a package of Oreo cookies)

1. The wind sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.

2.The microwave timer told me it was time to turn my TV dinner.

3.The video camera observed the whole scene.

4.The strawberries seemed to sing, "Eat me first!"

5.The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.

6.The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers. 7.The water beckoned invitingly to the hot swimmers. 8. The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during

the early morning hours. 9.The china danced on the shelves during the

earthquake. 10.The car engine coughed and sputtered when it

started during the blizzard.

“The Outsiders”

Find examples of personification on pages 56 and 83.

SimilesSimiles are comparisons that show how

two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Similes are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.

Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make the connection between the two things that are being compared.

Examples:

1. Playing chess with Ashley is like trying to outsmart a computer.

The activity “playing chess with Ashley” is being compared to “trying to outsmart a computer.” The point is that Ashley can think in a powerful manner that resembles the way a computer operates, not that she is like a computer in any other way.

2. His temper was as explosive as a volcano.

His temper is being compared to a volcano in that it can be sudden and violent.

Underline the word or phrase that is being described by each simile. Put parentheses around the word or phrase it is being compared to. The first three have been done for you.

1. Mary frowned and said, “I believe that taking drugs is like (playing with fire).”

2. I walked along the beach and listened to the ocean. My sadness was as unending as the (waves).

3. Don’t tell Mother that her cookies taste like (lumps of sand).

4. Sam waited impatiently for his older brother to calm down. “Bill, I think you are acting like a baby,” he said.

5. Karen was offended when I said that she was as flaky as a snowstorm.

6. Be careful when you go out. The sidewalk is as slippery as greased glass.

7. I’m not comfortable about this situation. I feel like a bug sitting under a magnifying glass.

8. I hoped our play would be a success and last for many performances. However, I guess it will last as long as a balloon in a roomful of kittens.

9. I really like Patty. Her heart is as soft as a feather pillow.

10. Cheryl’s smile is as sweet as a lullaby.

Metaphors

Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.

Unlike similes that use the words “as” or “like” to make a comparison, metaphors state that something is something else

1. Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball back over the net.

This metaphor compares Brian to a wall because __________.

A. He was very strong.b. He was very tall.c. He kept returning the balls.d. His body was made of cells.

2. We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.

Tammy was being compared to a hog because she __________.

a. looked like a hogb. ate like a hogc. smelled like a hogd. was as smart as a hog

3. Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind.

The metaphor compares Cindy to a mule because she was __________.

a. always eating oatsb. able to do hard workc. raised on a farmd. very stubborn

4. The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught his prey.

The cat was compared to a bolt of lightning because he was __________.

a. very fastb. very brightc. not fond of fleasd. very old

5. Even a child could carry my dog, Dogface, around for hours. He’s such a feather.

This metaphor implies that Dogface __________.

a. is not cuteb. looks like a birdc. is not heavyd. can fly