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 valleyor
The 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.