The technique behind the words

Recognizing Figurative Language The opposite of literal language is figurative

language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface.

It usually gives us a feeling about its subject. Poets use figurative language almost as

frequently as literal language. When you read poetry, you must be conscious of the difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no sense at all.

Recognizing Literal Language “I’ve eaten so much I feel as if I could literally burst!”

In this case, the person is not using the word literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact" or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the statement is not exaggerated, the person stresses how much he has eaten.

Literal language is language that means exactly what is said.

Most of the time, we use literal language.

What is figurative language?Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

Types of Figurative LanguageImagerySimileMetaphorAlliterationPersonificationOnomatopoeiaHyperboleIdioms

Imagery Language that appeals to the senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses in the reader’s mind.

• Sight • Hearing • Touch • Taste • Smell

sight: the rose is bright redhearing: it sounds like the chirping of several birds, with their high voices.smell: the air smells like going to the countryside. fresh and green. no smell of smoke but the fresh waters and the leaves.touch: it feels bumpy yet gives off a welcoming warmthtaste: it tastes sweet yet spicy at once,

with a tinge of orange taste.

SimileA figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

MetaphorA figure of speech which involves an

implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped through the

desert.

AlliterationRepeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words.

Example: 1. She was wide-eyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

2. She sells seashells by the seashore'.

PersonificationA figure of speech which gives the

qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind yells while blowing."

The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.

HyperboleAn exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said so on several million occasions.

OnomatopoeiaThe use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a loud ka-boom!

IdiomsAn idiom or idiomatic expression

refers to a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language.

Example: "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning "she is obsessed," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word.

Choose the best answer. The sea licked the grass at the edge of the shore.

1. The sentence above is an example of a/an

a. simileb. personificationc. metaphord. idiom

You're just throwing money down the drain.

2. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. metaphorb. idiomc. personificationd. simile

These walls have ears.3. The sentence above is an example of a/an

a. simile b. personificationc. metaphord. idiom

His room was a junk pile.4. The sentence above is an example of a/an

a. simileb. metaphorc. personificationd. idiom

The train was an angry animal roaring down the tracks.

5. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. metaphorb. similec. idiomd. personification

The mother is a tigress in defending her children.

6. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. idiom b. metaphorc. similed. personification

The baby's skin was like a rose petal.

7. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. personificationb. idiomc. metaphord. simile

8. His pen flew across the page, frantically trying to catch up to what the teacher was saying.

The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. personificationb. metaphorc. idiomd. simile

The moonless night was dark as black velvet.

9. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. simileb .metaphorc. idiomd. personification

The sheets hanging on the clothesline danced in the wind.

10. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. simile b. personificationc. idiomd. Metaphor

The hungry waves grabbed our sand castle and pulled it into the foamy sea.

11. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. idiomb. similec. metaphord. personification

The bacon was sizzling in the frying pan.

12. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. personificationb. hyperbolec. onomatopoeiad. Metaphor

Some students would rather eat dirt and die than have to sit down and read a book.

13. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. onomatopoeiab. hyperbolec. idiomd. personification

Jovial Jake joined Judy for juice.

14. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. onomatopoeiab. hyperbolec. personificationd. alliteration

Pop bottle, pop bottles in pop shops.Pop bottles, pop bottles, little Pops drops

15. The above sentence is an example of a/an

a. alliterationb. hyperbolec. personificationd. alliteration

Answers

1. b 6. b 11. b

2. b 7. d 12. c

3. b 8. a 13. b

4. b 9. a 14. d

5. a 10. b 15. a

Teaching Similes and MetaphorsAlliteration Lesson Plan and Resources http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/1allitera.htm

Hyperbole- Lesson Plans and Resources http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/10lesson.htm

Idiom Lesson Plan http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/6lesson.htm

Imagery- Lesson Plans and Resources http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/imagery2.htm

Lesson Plan for Puns http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/5lesson.htm

Onomatopoeia- Lesson Plans and Resources http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/9lesson.htm

Personification Lesson Plans and Resources http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/

7lesson.htm Proverbs- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/proverbs2.htm