Figurative Language

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Figurative language is language used in Figurative language is language used in writing to make it more expressive. It is writing to make it more expressive. It is not meant to be taken literally!not meant to be taken literally!

Some different types of figurative Some different types of figurative language are: simile, metaphor, language are: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole.personification, and hyperbole.

SimileSimile

SimileSimile is a comparison between two unlike is a comparison between two unlike objects using the words objects using the words like like or or as.as.

Ex. Her smile is as bright as the sun.Ex. Her smile is as bright as the sun.

The Rhythm of LifeThe Rhythm of Lifeby Edwin McCainby Edwin McCain

The rhythm of lifeThe rhythm of lifeHeaven withstanding and smiling Heaven withstanding and smiling we're all swept awaywe're all swept awayThe rhythm of lifeThe rhythm of lifeIs not so demanding as some Is not so demanding as some caught in narrows would saycaught in narrows would say

Fragile as ships as we pass through Fragile as ships as we pass through GibraltarGibraltarThe sirens have long given wayThe sirens have long given wayDark as the murky graveyard of Dark as the murky graveyard of sailorssailorsWhispering secrets told in the Whispering secrets told in the crashing wavescrashing waves

The beating of heartsThe beating of heartsSet walls to trembling Set walls to trembling The power of silence persuadesThe power of silence persuadesThe stumbling feetThe stumbling feetThey stagger predestined They stagger predestined We all end up wild eyed and We all end up wild eyed and crazedcrazed

And from that madness And from that madness Most jaded of visionMost jaded of visionReflections of horror invadeReflections of horror invadeRunning and falling Running and falling Relinquish your venomRelinquish your venomThe antidote surely will cause your The antidote surely will cause your affliction to fadeaffliction to fade

How little we know of what we are How little we know of what we are blessed withblessed withOur shimmering island it turnsOur shimmering island it turnsHow little we look at what we see How little we look at what we see clearlyclearlyOf tragedy's lessons not learnedOf tragedy's lessons not learned

Sleeping through classes Sleeping through classes We'll make it up laterWe'll make it up laterThere's still so much time left to goThere's still so much time left to goMisguided roses Misguided roses We bloom in OctoberWe bloom in OctoberEmerging triumphant in time for the Emerging triumphant in time for the season's first snowseason's first snow

MetaphorMetaphor

MetaphorMetaphor is a comparison between two is a comparison between two unlike objects saying that one thing unlike objects saying that one thing is is the the other.other.

Ex. Her hair is silk.Ex. Her hair is silk.

I Am An IllusionI Am An Illusionby Rob Thomasby Rob Thomas

Take this confusionTake this confusion

Runnin’ round my headRunnin’ round my head

Take back my unkind wordsTake back my unkind words

Lay that weight on me insteadLay that weight on me instead

I’m the place where everything turns sourI’m the place where everything turns sour

Where you gonna run to nowWhere you gonna run to now

Wrong stepWrong stepWe got off trackWe got off trackWe need someone to help us get back We need someone to help us get back nownowWorn thinWorn thinAwful state I was inAwful state I was inI believe I was losing me, now I’m foundI believe I was losing me, now I’m foundI am foundI am found

I’m not real anymoreI’m not real anymore

I am an illusionI am an illusion



I am the damageI am the damageI am the reliefI am the reliefSometimes I’m peopleSometimes I’m peopleI never hoped that I would beI never hoped that I would beIf I take in whatever they turn outIf I take in whatever they turn outWhat’s that gonna make me nowWhat’s that gonna make me nowDon’t you understandDon’t you understand





Wrong stepWrong stepWe got off trackWe got off trackWe need someone to help us get back We need someone to help us get back nownowWorn thin Worn thin Awful state I was inAwful state I was inI believe they were fooling meI believe they were fooling meNow I’m down. Well, I am downNow I’m down. Well, I am down

I’m not real anymoreI’m not real anymoreI am an illusionI am an illusionI’m not real anymoreI’m not real anymoreI am an illusionI am an illusionI’m not real anymoreI’m not real anymoreI am an illusionI am an illusionI’m not real anymoreI’m not real anymoreI am an illusion I am an illusion

PersonificationPersonification

PersonificationPersonification is giving human qualities, is giving human qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics to feelings, action, or characteristics to inanimate (non-living) objects.inanimate (non-living) objects.

Ex. The wind sang as it blew through the Ex. The wind sang as it blew through the trees.trees.

Bold As LoveBold As Loveby Jimi Hendrixby Jimi Hendrix

Anger he smiles towering in shiny Anger he smiles towering in shiny metallic purple armor. metallic purple armor. Queen jealousy, envy waits behind him. Queen jealousy, envy waits behind him. Her fiery green gown sneers at the Her fiery green gown sneers at the grassy ground. grassy ground. Blue are the life giving waters taking for Blue are the life giving waters taking for granted, granted, they quietly understand. they quietly understand.

Once happy turquoise armies lay Once happy turquoise armies lay opposite ready, opposite ready, but wonder why the fight is on.but wonder why the fight is on.

But they're all, bold as love. But they're all, bold as love. They're all bold as love. They're all bold as love. They're all bold as love. They're all bold as love. Just ask the Axis. Just ask the Axis.

My red is so confident he flashes My red is so confident he flashes trophies of war trophies of war and ribbons of euphoria. and ribbons of euphoria. Orange is young, full of daring but Orange is young, full of daring but very unsteady for the first go very unsteady for the first go 'round. 'round.

My yellow in this case is not so My yellow in this case is not so mellow. mellow. In fact I'm trying to say it's frightened In fact I'm trying to say it's frightened like me. like me. And all of these emotions of mine And all of these emotions of mine keep holding me keep holding me from giving my life to a rainbow like from giving my life to a rainbow like you. you.

Well, I'm bold as love.Well, I'm bold as love.

I’m bold as love. I’m bold as love. Hear me talkin', girl. Hear me talkin', girl. I'm bold as love. I'm bold as love. Just ask the Axis. Just ask the Axis. He knows everything.He knows everything.

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia is the imitation of natural is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. They are words that sounds in word form. They are words that sound like their meaning.sound like their meaning.

Ex. Hiss! Buzz! Zip!Ex. Hiss! Buzz! Zip!

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeiaby Todd Rundgrenby Todd Rundgren

Onomatopoeia every time I see yaOnomatopoeia every time I see ya

My senses tell me hubbaMy senses tell me hubba

And I just cant disagreeAnd I just cant disagree

I get a feeling in my heart that I I get a feeling in my heart that I can’t describecan’t describe

It’s sort of lub, dub, lub, dubIt’s sort of lub, dub, lub, dub

A sound in my head that I can’t A sound in my head that I can’t describedescribe

It’s sort of zoom, zip, hiccup, dripIt’s sort of zoom, zip, hiccup, drip

Ding, dong, crunch, crack, bark, Ding, dong, crunch, crack, bark, meow, whinnie, quackmeow, whinnie, quack

Onomatopoeia in proximity yaOnomatopoeia in proximity ya

Rearrange my brain in a strange Rearrange my brain in a strange cacophonycacophony

I get a feeling somewhere that I I get a feeling somewhere that I can’t describecan’t describe

It’s sort of uh, uh, uh, uhIt’s sort of uh, uh, uh, uh

A sound in my head that I can’t A sound in my head that I can’t describedescribe

It’s sort of whack, whir, wheeze, It’s sort of whack, whir, wheeze, whinewhine

Sputter, splat, squirt, scrapeSputter, splat, squirt, scrape

Clink, clank, clunk, clatterClink, clank, clunk, clatter

Crash, bang, beep, buzzCrash, bang, beep, buzz

Ring, rip, roar, retchRing, rip, roar, retch

Twang, toot, tinkle, thudTwang, toot, tinkle, thud

Pop, plop, plunk, powPop, plop, plunk, pow

Snort, snuk, sniff, smackSnort, snuk, sniff, smack

Screech, splash, squish, squeekScreech, splash, squish, squeek

Jingle, rattle, squeel, boingJingle, rattle, squeel, boing

Honk, hoot, hack, belchHonk, hoot, hack, belch

RepetitionRepetition

RepetitionRepetition is the repeated use of a is the repeated use of a sound, syllable, word, phrase, line or sound, syllable, word, phrase, line or stanza. Repetition helps govern the stanza. Repetition helps govern the rhythm of a poemrhythm of a poem

Ex. Row, row, row your boatEx. Row, row, row your boat Gently down the streamGently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrilyMerrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dreamLife is but a dream

Dreaming with a Broken HeartDreaming with a Broken Heartby John Mayerby John Mayer

When you’re dreaming with a When you’re dreaming with a broken heartbroken heart

The waking up is the hardest partThe waking up is the hardest partYou roll out of bed and down on You roll out of bed and down on

your kneesyour kneesAnd for a moment you can hardly And for a moment you can hardly

breathe, wonderingbreathe, wondering

Was she really here?Was she really here?

Is she standing in my room?Is she standing in my room?

No, she’s notNo, she’s not

‘‘Cause she’s gone, gone, gone, Cause she’s gone, gone, gone, gone, gonegone, gone


The giving up is the hardest partThe giving up is the hardest partShe takes you in with her crying She takes you in with her crying

eyeseyesThen all at once, you have to say Then all at once, you have to say

goodbye, wonderinggoodbye, wondering

Could you stay, my love?Could you stay, my love?

And will you wake up by my side?And will you wake up by my side?

No, she can’tNo, she can’t

‘‘Cause she’s gone, gone, gone, Cause she’s gone, gone, gone, gone, gonegone, gone

Now do I have to fall asleep with roses Now do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?in my hand?

Do I have to fall asleep with roses in Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?my hand?



And would you get them if I did?And would you get them if I did?

No, you won’tNo, you won’t

‘‘Cause you’re gone, gone, gone, Cause you’re gone, gone, gone, gone, gonegone, gone


The waking up is the hardest partThe waking up is the hardest part

AlliterationAlliteration

AlliterationAlliteration is the repetition of the initial is the repetition of the initial consonant. consonant.

Ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled Ex. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.peppers.

HyperboleHyperbole

HyperboleHyperbole is extreme exaggeration. is extreme exaggeration.

Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.

Who Says You Can’t Go HomeWho Says You Can’t Go Homeby Bon Joviby Bon Jovi

I spent 20 years trying to get out of I spent 20 years trying to get out of this placethis place

I was looking for something I I was looking for something I couldn’t replacecouldn’t replace

I was running away from the only I was running away from the only thing I’ve ever knownthing I’ve ever known

Like a blind dog without a boneLike a blind dog without a bone

I was a gypsy lost in the twilight I was a gypsy lost in the twilight zonezone

I hijacked a rainbow and crashed I hijacked a rainbow and crashed into a pot of goldinto a pot of gold

I been there, done that, and I ain’t I been there, done that, and I ain’t lookin’ back on the seeds I’ve lookin’ back on the seeds I’ve sownsown

Saving dimes, spending too much Saving dimes, spending too much time on the telephonetime on the telephone

Who says you can’t go home?Who says you can’t go home?

Who says you can’t go homeWho says you can’t go home

There’s only one place they call me There’s only one place they call me one of their ownone of their own

Just a hometown boy, born a rolling Just a hometown boy, born a rolling stonestone


Who says you can’t go back?Who says you can’t go back?

I’ve been all around the world as a I’ve been all around the world as a matter of factmatter of fact

There’s only one place left I want to There’s only one place left I want to roamroam


It’s alrightIt’s alright





I went as far as I could, I tried to I went as far as I could, I tried to find a new facefind a new face

There isn’t one of these lines that I There isn’t one of these lines that I would erasewould erase

I lived a million miles of memories I lived a million miles of memories on that roadon that road

With every step that I take I know With every step that I take I know that I’m not alonethat I’m not alone

You take the home from the boy, You take the home from the boy, but not the the boy from his homebut not the the boy from his home

These are my streets, the only life These are my streets, the only life I’ve ever knownI’ve ever known







I been all around the world as a I been all around the world as a matter of factmatter of fact















I been there, done that, and I ain’t I been there, done that, and I ain’t looking backlooking back

It’s been a long, long roadIt’s been a long, long road

Feels like I never leftFeels like I never left

That’s how the story goesThat’s how the story goes

It doesn’t matter where you areIt doesn’t matter where you are

It doesn’t matter where you goIt doesn’t matter where you go

If it’s a million miles away If it’s a million miles away

Or just a mile up the roadOr just a mile up the road

Take it in, take it with you when you goTake it in, take it with you when you go







I been all around the world as a I been all around the world as a matter of factmatter of fact









ImageryImagery

ImageryImagery is the use of vivid description, is the use of vivid description, usually rich in sensory words, to create usually rich in sensory words, to create pictures, or images, in the reader's mind. pictures, or images, in the reader's mind.

Ex. The warm breeze blew across her Ex. The warm breeze blew across her skin.skin.

You’re MissingYou’re Missingby Bruce Springsteenby Bruce Springsteen

Shirts in the closet, shoes in Shirts in the closet, shoes in the hallthe hall

Mama's in the kitchen, baby Mama's in the kitchen, baby and alland all

Everything is everythingEverything is everythingEverything is everythingEverything is everythingBut you’re missingBut you’re missing

Coffee cups on the counter, jackets Coffee cups on the counter, jackets on the chairon the chair

Papers on the doorstep, but you’re Papers on the doorstep, but you’re not therenot there

Everything is everythingEverything is everythingEverything is everythingEverything is everythingBut you’re missingBut you’re missing

Pictures on the nightstand, TV’s on Pictures on the nightstand, TV’s on in the denin the den

Your house is waiting, your house Your house is waiting, your house is waitingis waiting

For you to walk in, for you to walk For you to walk in, for you to walk inin

But you’re missing, You’re missingBut you’re missing, You’re missing

You’re missing when I shut out the You’re missing when I shut out the lightslights

You’re missing when I close my You’re missing when I close my eyeseyes

You’re missing when I see the sun You’re missing when I see the sun riserise

You’re missingYou’re missing

Children are asking if it’s alrightChildren are asking if it’s alright

Will you be in our arms tonight?Will you be in our arms tonight?

Morning is morning, the evening Morning is morning, the evening falls, I gotfalls, I got

Too much room in my bed, too Too much room in my bed, too many phone callsmany phone calls

How’s everything, everything?How’s everything, everything?Everything ain’t everythingEverything ain’t everythingYou’re missing, you’re missingYou’re missing, you’re missing

God’s drifting in heaven, devil’s in God’s drifting in heaven, devil’s in the mailboxthe mailbox

I got dust on my shoes, nothing but I got dust on my shoes, nothing but teardropsteardrops

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Figurative Language