Go Figure!

Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative

language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface.

It usually gives us a feeling about its subject. Poets use figurative language almost as

frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all.

Printed Quiz Online Quiz

Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could

literally burst!” In this case, the person is not using the word

literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten.

Literal language is language that means exactly what is said.

Most of the time, we use

literal language.

What is figurative language?

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else,

you are using figurative language.

If you see a star on the slide – you should take notes – this information will be on a test.

Types of Figurative Language Idioms Imagery Simile Metaphor Alliteration Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole

Idioms An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to

a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language.

Example: "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning "she is obsessed," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word.

IdiomsIdioms are phrases which people use in everyday language which do not

make sense literally but we understand what they mean

An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its individual words.

For example: It’s raining cats and dogs. Its literal meaning suggests that cats and dogs are falling from the sky. We interpret it to mean that it is raining hard.

Other Examples: To stick your neck out is to say or do something that is bold

and a bit dangerous. A similar idiom that is used for slightly more dangerous situations is to "go out on a limb." In both idioms, the idea is that you put yourself in a vulnerable position.

To break the ice is to be the first one to say or do something, with the expectation that others will then follow. Another idiom that means something similar is "get the ball rolling."

To get long in the tooth means to get old. The expression was originally used when referring to horses since gums recede with age. So the longer the teeth a horse has, the older it is said to be.

To have a chip on one's shoulder is usually an expression to describe a person who acts, as you say, rudely or aggressively, but also in a manner that could be described as "aggressively defensive." The person seems always ready for a fight.

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses.

Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

• Sight • Hearing • Touch • Taste • Smell

Simile A figure of speech which involves a

direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny

arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor A figure of speech which involves an

implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped

through the dessert.

Alliteration Repeated consonant sounds occurring at

the beginning of words or within words.

Example: She was wide-eyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

Repetition

A sound, word, phrase or line repeated regularly in a poem. In Poe’s poem “The Raven” ‘nevermore’ is repeated at the end of five stanzas in a row.

“Quoth the raven, ‘Nevermore.’”

Personification A figure of speech which gives the

qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind yells while blowing."

The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a

loud ka-boom!

Hyperbole An exaggerated statement used to

heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several

million occasions.

POETRY

POETRY

A type of literature that expresses ideas, feelings, or tells a story in a specific form (usually using lines and stanzas)

POINT OF VIEW IN POETRY

POET

The poet is the author of the poem.

SPEAKER

The speaker of the poem is the “narrator” of the poem.

POETRY FORM

FORM – the type of poem, or how a poem is organized

LINE - a group of words together on one line of the poem

STANZA - a group of lines arranged together

A word is dead When it is said,

Some say.

I say it just Begins to live

That day.

KINDS OF STANZAS

Couplet = a two line stanza

Triplet (Tercet) = a three line stanza

Quatrain = a four line stanza

Quintet = a five line stanza

Sestet (Sextet) = a six line stanza

Septet = a seven line stanza

Octave = an eight line stanza

FREE VERSE POETRY

Unlike metered poetry, free verse poetry does NOT have any repeating patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Does NOT have rhyme.

Free verse poetry is very conversational - sounds like someone talking with you.

A more modern type of poetry.

RHYME

Words that sound alike because they share the same ending vowel and consonant sounds.

(A word always rhymes with itself.)

LAMP STAMP

Share the short “a” vowel sound

Share the combined “mp” consonant sound

END RHYME

A word at the end of one line rhymes with a word at the end of another line

Hector the Collector Collected bits of string.

Collected dolls with broken heads And rusty bells that would not ring.

INTERNAL RHYME

A word inside a line rhymes with another word on the same line. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and

weary,Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a

tapping,As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more.’

From “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

NEAR RHYME

a.k.a imperfect rhyme, close rhyme

The words share EITHER the same vowel or consonant sound BUT NOT BOTH

ROSE LOSE

Different vowel sounds (long “o” and

“oo” sound) Share the same

consonant sound

RHYME SCHEME

A rhyme scheme is a pattern of rhyme (usually end rhyme, but not always).

Use the letters of the alphabet to represent sounds to be able to visually “see” the pattern. (See next slide for an example.)

SAMPLE RHYME SCHEME The Germ by Ogden Nash

A mighty creature is the germ, Though smaller than the pachyderm.

His customary dwelling place Is deep within the human race.

His childish pride he often pleases By giving people strange diseases.

Do you, my poppet, feel infirm? You probably contain a germ.

a

a

b

b

c

c

a

a

Gotta Go!   by Robert Pottle 

  I gotta go! I gotta go!

I’ll ask the teacher first.I gotta go! I gotta go!I think I’m gonna burst.I gotta go! I gotta go!I’d better raise my hand.I gotta go! I gotta go!But maybe I should stand.

I gotta go! I gotta go!My hand is raised up high.I gotta go! I gotta go!I hope my pants stay dry.I gotta go! I gotta go!I’m really in a bind.I gotta go! I gotta—Uh-oh. Never mind.

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Sugar is sweet.

And so are you

Violets are blue.Roses are pink.Put on your shoes,your feet really ____. —Bruce Lansky

Roses are red.Asphalt is black.If you’re feeling hungry,I’ll give you a _____.

Roses are red.Violets are blue.Please flush the toiletafter you’re _______.

Poetry can be fun!!

To Rhyme or not to Rhyme?

What I’d Cook for My Teacher (non-rhyming list poem)

Rattlesnake stewcentipede saladseaweed and jellyfish sandwichmilk mixed with gluea-chooberry pieI hope the old bat doesn’t die!

-Bruce Lansky – gigglepoetry.com

If I cooked hot lunch for my teacher, I would start out with rattlesnake stew. Then I’d serve her a centipede salad And a tall glass of milk mixed with glue Next, a seaweed and jellyfish sandwich For dessert, an a-chooberry pie. When my teacher finds out what she’s eaten, I hope the old bat doesn’t die.

To Rhyme or not to Rhyme?

-Bruce Lansky – gigglepoetry.com

Rhyming patterns are recognized by labeling the sentences with letters

(A)

(B)(C)

(B)

(D)

(E)

(F)(E)

A poem is a little pathThat leads you through the trees.It takes you to the cliffs and shores,To anywhere you please.Follow it and trust your wayWith mind and heart as one, And when the journey's over, You'll find you've just begun.

What is the pattern of our first poem?

-Bruce Lansky – gigglepoetry.com

Rhyming patterns are recognized by labeling the sentences with letters

(A)

(B)

(C)(B)

(D)

(E)

(F)(E)

Acrostic Poems Believer Energetic Laughter Love Instigator Volatile Enthusiastic Attitude Understanding