FIGURATIVE LANGUAGEA Writer’s fancy use of language to

convey different meanings

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:Figurative language refers to a way of using

description to create a special image and bring out one's emotions. There are several types of figurative language that we will focus on this unit:

SIMILEMETAPHORPERSONIFICATIONHYPERBOLEIMAGERY

SIMILE

- A figure of speech in which two UNALIKE things are compared using “like” or “as”

IS THIS A SIMILE?

“HE FIGHTS LIKE A LION”

WHY?

LIKE

IS THIS A SIMILE?“SHE DANCES AS GRACEFULLY AS A SWAN

MOVES ON WATER”

WHY?

AS

METAPHOR-- A figure of speech in which an implicit comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common

-- Comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way.

IS THIS A METAPHOR?“YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE

OF MY LIFE”

WHY? HOW? You ARE…

IS THIS A METAPHOR? “SHE BRIGHTENS MY DAY LIKE

THE SUN BEAMS ON CRYSTAL WATER”

WHY NOT? SHE IS “LIKE”…

PERSONIFICATION-- the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions.

-- the representation of human characteristics in a nonhuman object of idea.

PERSONIFICATION? “FEAR KNOCKED ON THE DOOR.”

WHY? HOW?

PERSONIFICATION?

“OREO: Milk’s favorite cookie”

HOW?

Looks like it’s enjoying it to me

HYPERBOLE- A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.

Is this a HYPERBOLE? "Good coffee is like friendship: rich and warm and strong."

WHY? WHY NOT?

IS LIKE

Is this a HYPERBOLE? "My toaster has never once worked properly in four years. I follow the instructions and push two slices of bread down in the slots, and seconds later they rifle upwards. Once they broke the nose of a woman I loved dearly."

-Woody Allen, "My Speech to the Graduates."

HOW?

What about? -Your momma’s so fat…she can’t even float in space

-Your momma’s so fat…she turned around and it was her birthday again

-Your momma’s so dumb…she waited all day at a stop sign

IMAGERY- The use of vivid descriptive language that appeals to one or more of the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste).

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LISTEN….The chilly weather settles into your bones.Those once green leaves turnRed, yellow, orange, and brown.CRRNCH! go the leaves,,Beneath  your feet.The birds fly in a victory “V” formation,To where the sun rules the skies.The days of winter are lurking aroundWaiting to be free falling.

DID YOU PICTURE?