Figurative Language

Academic Vocabulary Term #9

Figurative Language

Take a look at the following examples of figurative language.

As we look at each example, try to think about what each example has in common.

Imagery

Imagery- writing that appeals to one or more of the five senses---sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The use of imagery paints a living picture for the reader.

A new sound, raucous and sassyCascading over the asphalt villageBreaking against the black sky over1-2-5 StreetAnnouncing HallelujahRiffing past resolution- Harlem, Walter Dean Myers

Figurative Language

Metaphor- describes one thing as if it were something else. "Between the lower east side tenements

the sky is a snotty handkerchief." (Marge Piercy, "The Butt of Winter")

"The streets were a furnace, the sun an executioner.” (Cynthia Ozick, "Rosa")

"But my heart is a lonely hunter that hunts on a lonely hill." (William Sharp, "The Lonely Hunter")

Figurative Language

Personification- gives human qualities to something nonhuman.

“The wind stood up and gave a shout.He whistled on his fingers and

Kicked the withered leaves aboutAnd thumped the branches with his hand

And said he'd kill and kill and kill,And so he will and so he will.”

(James Stephens, "The Wind")

Figurative Language

Simile- uses “like” or “as” to compare two unlike things. His skin was as cold as ice. It felt as hard as a rock. She looked as gentle as a lamb. My love is like a red, red rose. These cookies taste like garbage. His explanation was as clear as mud. Watching the show was like watching paint dry. A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle – U2 It’s been a hard day’s night, and I’ve been working like

a dog. --The Beatles. Like a Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan

Figurative Language

Idiom- an expression whose meaning is not predictable based on the words used. "He should be in jail for what he did, but he got off

with just a slap on the wrist.” “It looked like Sally got a taste of her own medicine." Kirk: If we play our cards right, we may be able to

find out when those whales are being released.Spock: How will playing cards help?(Captain James T. Kirk and Spock in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, 1986)

"Fads are the kiss of death. When the fad goes away, you go with it."(Conway Twitty)

Figurative Language

Hyperbole- extreme exaggeration "I was helpless. I did not know what

in the world to do. I was quaking from head to foot, and could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far."(Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi”)

Yo’ mama is so big she threw on a sheet for Halloween and went as Antarctica!

Yo’ mama is so ugly that when she went to the beautician, it took her twelve hours… to get a quote!

Figurative Language

Take three minutes to1. write down some descriptions of the word

figurative language. These are YOUR OWN ideas, not someone else’s, so DON’T TALK about them yet.

2. jot down related terms

3. draw a picture/symbols that you think relates to the term (and can help you remember the term)