Style

To determine a writer’s style, look at the way he or she uses language.

realistic dialogue

lighthearted tone

short, conversational sentences

comical main characters

Every writer has a style, although some styles are easier to recognize than others.

Figurative Language

Writers often use figurative language—language based on some sort of comparison that is not literally true.

Figurative language can be an important part of a writer’s style.

His eyes sparkled likediamonds.

. . .

Figurative Language

Here are some figures of speech that you will find in your reading:

Metaphors compare unlike things directly, without using a specific word of comparison.

compare two unlike things using a word of comparison, such as like, than, as, or resembles.

Similes

Idioms

allusions

expressions that mean something different from the literal meanings of the words

a reference drawn from literature, popular culture, or current events.

Figurative Language

Metaphors compare unlike things directly, without using a specific word of comparison.

Hannah’s eyes are stars brightening the room.

Change this metaphor into a simile.

Metaphors

Figurative Language

Similes compare two unlike objects using a word of comparison, such as like, than, as, or resembles.

Youssef shot up like a rocket as he went for the basket.

Describe how Youssef made his shot.

Similes

Figurative Language

Quick Check

Christian was upset when his mother told him his room smelled like an old running shoe.

“How can you say that, Mom?” he asked, his face a question mark. “I’m as neat as a tack.”

“Maybe the room is neat, but your laundry bag is overflowing with sweaty clothes,” replied his mom. “I think the bag will walk out of here on its own pretty soon.”

Identify the similes and metaphor

Figurative Language

Quick Check

Christian was upset when his mother told him his room smelled like an old running shoe.

“How can you say that, Mom?” he asked, his face a question mark. “I’m as neat as a tack.”

“Maybe the room is neat, but your laundry bag is overflowing with sweaty clothes,” replied his mom.

Identify the similes, metaphor, and personification.

similesmetaphor

Figurative Language

Idioms are expressions that mean something different from the literal meanings of the words.

The actor hid nothing from her fans. Her life, you might say, was an open book.

How does the idiom express the idea that nothing is hidden?

Idioms

An allusion is a reference drawn from literature, popular culture, or current events.

For example, a writer might say, “He lied so much he had a nose like Pinocchio” or “She was as sweet as Snow White.”

In both cases, the writer is making an allusion to a familiar literary character.

Figurative Language

Writers use allusions to create comparisons that make characters come to life.

The writer assumes that the reader is familiar with an allusion through general knowledge.

Even though his name was Joe, his friends

called him Honest Abe.

Figurative Language

Figurative Meaning versus Literal meaning

Figurative meaning is the intended interpretation of the

language.

Literal meaning is the literal interpretation of the words used

Example: Cup of JoeFigurative= a cup of coffee

Literal= an actual cup of Joe

Assignment:

In pairs look through the story, “Raymond’s Run” and find all of the Similes, Metaphors, idioms, and allusions. Create a Treemap that includes the term, definition, all examples, and the figurative meanings

Raymond’s Run Figurative Language

Simile

Definition

Example

Figurative Meaning

Idiom

Definition

Example

Figurative meaning

Allusion

Definition

Example

Figurative meaning

Metaphor

Definition

Example

Figurative meaning