Figurative Langage

What is Figurative Language?Figurative language or speech

contains images. The writer or speaker describes something through the use of

unusual comparisons, for effect, interest, and to make things

clearer. The result of using this technique is the creation of interesting images.

ImageryUses words to paint a picture in the reader’s

mind.

The clouds were hanging over the valley

orThe clouds stretched out over the valley like a

soft cotton blanket.

Alliteration• The 'sound' of a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or consonant

(other letters of the alphabet) is repeated, for poetic effect. Sometimes called a Tongue

Twister.• Betty Botter bought some butter,

but, she said, the butter's bitter; if I put it in my batter it will make my batter bitter,

but a bit of better butter will make my batter better.So she bought a bit of butter better than her bitter butter,and she put it in her batter and the batter was not bitter.So 'twas better Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter

AssonanceThe repetition of internal

vowel sounds. Doesn't have to rhyme!!

Fleet feet sweep by sleeping geese.

The pain may drain Drake, but maybe the weight is

fake.

ClicheAn overused expression

swim like a fishKim can swim. Kim can swim well.

Kim swims like a fish.

HyperboleBIG exaggeration, usually

with humorMy dog is so ugly, he has to sneak up on his dish to eat!

If I don't get these jeans, I will DIE!

IdiomIdioms are word combinations that are

idiotic! Crazy! Nuts! etc.In other words, idioms have meanings that can't be figured out by looking up the words in the dictionary.  They have

meanings that are understood by people who speak that language, but

are very hard to understand for people who don't speak that language. 

Horse Play

Cry your eyes out

Onomatopoeia Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated

with it.

BOOM!!!!

PersonificationTo give non- human things

human qualities

The earth coughed and choked in all

the pollution.

SimileCompares two unlike thing using the words like or as.

I’m as hungry as a horse!

He’s as sneaky as a snake.

MetaphorCompares two unlike things

directly WITHOUT using like or as.

He hair is silk.

Alliteration The 'sound' of a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or consonant (other letters of the alphabet) is repeated, for

poetic effect. Sometimes called a Tongue Twister

The wild & wooly walrus waits and

wonders when we’ll walk by.

Assonance The repetition of internal vowel sounds. Doesn’t have to rhyme.

I made my way to the lake

Cliché An overused expression. No pain, no gain

Hyperbole BIG exaggeration, usually with humor.

It’s so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.

Idiom A saying that does not make literal, logical or grammatical sense but

people within the culture understand its meaning.

Don’t let the car out of the bag.

Onomatopoeia

Naming a thing or an action by imitating the sound associated with

it.

Splish, Splash!

Personification

To give non- human things human qualities.

The flowers danced in the breeze.

Simile Compares two unlike thing using the words like or as.

The parking lot was as slick as an ice rink.

Metaphor Compares two unlike things directly WITHOUT using like or as.

The parking lot was an ice rink.