How to

Identify

Figurative

Language

REVIEW

AND

EXERCISE!!!

Help your

brain

see it and

understand it!

Is it a comparison between two things?

Yes

Does it use “like” or “as”?

No

Are they exaggerating

too much or too little?

Yes No

Simile Metaphor

Yes No

Too Much? Too Little?

Hyperbole Understatement

Object or idea doing

human things?

Personification

YesNo

?

1

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

1

He drew a line as straight as an arrow.

Simile

He can draw a very straight line as an

arrow will fly in a straight direction

2

Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn

are kings and queens.

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

2

Knowledge is a kingdom and all who learn

are kings and queens.

Metaphor

Makes learning a very prestigious thing.

Education elevates one’s position.

3

Can I see you for a second?

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

3

Can I see you for a second?

Understatement

You wouldn’t just look at someone

for a second, but want to talk to

them for several seconds.

4

The sun was beating down on me.

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

4

The sun was beating down on me.

Personification

The sun can’t actually beat someone.

This means that the sun was

making it very hot and

uncomfortable for someone.

5

A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

5

A flag wags like a fishhook there in the sky.

Simile

The flag is moving back and forth from

the wind which can be like jerking a

fish hook on a fishing line.

6I'd rather take baths

with a man-eating shark,

or wrestle a lion

alone in the dark,

eat spinach and liver,

pet ten porcupines,

than tackle the homework,

my teacher assigns.

What figurative

language is this?

What does it

mean?

6I'd rather take baths

with a man-eating shark,

or wrestle a lion

alone in the dark,

eat spinach and liver,

pet ten porcupines,

than tackle the homework,

my teacher assigns.

Hyperbole

Homework is not

as painful as all

these battles.

These animals

could really

kill someone!

7

Ravenous and savage

from its long

polar journey,

the North Wind

is searching

for food—

What figurative

language is

this?

What does it

mean?

7

Ravenous and savage

from its long

polar journey,

the North Wind

is searching

for food—

Personification

The North Wind

can search, go on

a journey, is

hungry (ravenous)

and mean

(savage).

8

The tree of liberty must be refreshed

from time to time with the blood of

patriots and tyrants.

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

8

The tree of liberty must be refreshed

from time to time with the blood of

patriots and tyrants.

Metaphor

Liberty (freedom) is compared to a

tree which grows and becomes

bigger. In order for freedom to grow

some people will die for freedom

(patriots and tyrants).

9

Can I have just one of your chips?

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

9

Can I have just one of your chips?

Understatement

NO ONE can ever have just ONE chip!

10

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

What figurative language is this?

What does it mean?

10

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

Metaphor

The speaker is comparing himself to a black

ocean. This person sounds strong and scary

like the ocean can overwehlm and destroy.

Results

• How did you do?

• Are you improving knowing which

figurative language it was?

• Are your explanations thorough and

logical?