Elements of Poetry : Figurative LanguageThis is language that is always based on some kind of comparison that is not literally true.

SIMILES

METAPHORS PERSONIFICATION

SYMBOLS

Imagery An “image” is “a word or sequence of words

that refers to any sensory experience.”

An image conveys a sense perception:– a visual picture

– a sound

– a feeling of touch

– a taste,

– an odor

Figurative Language Defined

Any language that goes beyond the literal meaning of words in order to furnish new effects or fresh insights into an idea or a subject.

Describes something by comparing it with something else. There are many types including

– Simile– Metaphor– Personification

Similes•A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like, as, than, or resembles.

•Similes are easy to spot.(X is like Y: X is compared to Y in order to illustrate X more fancifully or poetically)

“Life is like a box of chocolates;

you never know what you’re

gonna get”

Forrest ran like a machine for weeksUntil he reached the Pacific Ocean.

Simile : What is Being Compared?

The team’s center looked like a skyscraper.

My love is like a red, red rose.

We were as quiet as frightened mice.

Underline the items being compared. Effect of Comparison

Metaphor A metaphor also compares two unlike things, but

a metaphor is a bit more sophisticated than a simile.

– The words like or as are missing.

– There are three types of metaphors including• Direct• Implied • Extended

Direct Metaphor A direct metaphor says

something is something else.

In a direct metaphor, a poet writes that X is Y.

Examples : I was a lonely cloud My brain is an unorganized file

cabinet

Direct Metaphor

My dog is the king of the neighborhood.

Lane Stadium is a slaughterhouse whenever the Wahoos play the Hokies.

Richard was a lion in the fight.

Her eyes are dark emeralds.

Underline the items being compared. Effect of Comparison

Implied Metaphor An implied metaphor suggests the comparison

instead of stating it directly.

Direct MetaphorImplied Metaphor.

John swelled and ruffled his plumage when pretty ladies walked by.

Dave stood his ground andbrayed his refusal to leavethe all-you-can-eat buffet.

John was a proud peacock.

Dave was a stubborn mule.

Implied Metaphor Examples

• Oh, my love has petals and sharp thorns.

• The subway coursed through the arteries of the city.

• Clint galloped gracefully around the track.

What Two Things are Compared? Effect of the Comparison

Extended Metaphor

An extended metaphor develops over several lines or throughout a poem.

How many ways does Langston Hughes compare life to a stairway?

“Mother to Son”

Well, son, I'll tell you:

Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor –

Bare.

But all the time

I'se been a-climbin' on,

And reachin' landin's,

And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the dark

Where there ain't been no light.

So boy, don't you turn back.

Don't you set down on the steps

'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now –

For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin',

And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Personification

Dawn's rosy fingers reached for the sky.

The angry wind slashed across the island.

The stars smiled down upon us.

Anytime we give human qualities to a nonhuman things or ideas .

Personification

Example : The shining red traffic light mockingly smiled at me as I, stuck in traffic, ranted and raved.

The traffic light can not smile as a human does. By saying the light smiles, a poet gives the light human characteristics.

Oxymoron Two contradictory terms are placed side by side,

usually for an effect of intensity:

Organized Mess Alone in a Crowd Jumbo Shrimp Controlled Chaos Deafening Silence Friendly Fire Sweet Sorrow

Comedian George Carlin often jokedabout “military intelligence.”

Oxymoron Two contradictory terms are placed side by side,

usually for an effect of intensity:

"O heavy lightness! Serious vanity!Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health!"

Hyperbole (hy per bo lee) is intentional exaggeration or overstating, often for dramatic or humorous effect:

Hamilton cried a flood of tears after the Cowboys lost to the Redskins.

The bookbag weighed a ton after I got all my books for the school year.

Metonymy

In this figure (m’ tawn ni’mee) one thing is replaced by another thing associated with it.

The Crown is amused (“The Crown” is the Queen).

The White House is furious (“The White House” is the President).

Synecdoche Here, (sin nec duh kee) a part

represents the whole:• All hands on deck!

• Lend me your ears.

• Let’s buy one hundred head of cattle!

Symbols

heart =

snake =

lion =

an ordinary object, event, animal, or person to which we have attached extraordinary meaning

LOVE

EVIL

COURAGE

Bellringer : May 8th

Write an original simile or metaphor to describe

yourself in the morning.

Agenda

Poetry

Notes : Figurative Language

Figurative Language Easter Egg Hunt

SOL Review

Passage #3?????

Easter Egg Hunt : Overview• 1) Work with a partner. Each person has to fill out his/her sheet

to win and earn credit. Partners must have the same examples.

• 2) Each egg has an example of figurative language.– Metaphor– Simile– Personification– Hyperbole– Oxymoron

• 3) Find the egg. Determine which type of figurative language it is. Fill out your form.

• 4) Put the egg back where you found it.

• 5) When you think you have all five complete, bring the sheet to me.

1) Metaphor : _________________________________________

Two things compared: a) _____________________________

b) ____________________________

2) Simile : _________________________________________

Two things compared: a) ______________________________

b) ______________________________

3) Personification : ___________________________________

What is personified? __________________________________

Which word(s) personifies it? ___________________________

4) Hyperbole : _______________________________________

Desired Effect : ______________________________________

5) Oxymoron : _______________________________________

________________ and ________________ make the oxymoron

1) Metaphor : _________________________________________

Two things compared: a) ______________________________

b) ______________________________

2) Simile : _________________________________________

Two things compared: a) ______________________________

b) ______________________________

3) Personification : ___________________________________

What is personified? __________________________________

Which word(s) personifies it? ___________________________

4) Hyperbole : _______________________________________

Desired Effect : ______________________________________

5) Oxymoron : _______________________________________

________________ and ________________ make the oxymoron