Figurative

Language
 Why figurative language?
• Literal language – is what is on the surface
• Figurative language – is what is below the
surface – this requires higher level critical
thinking and analysis.
• Sometimes what the author intended and
what the reader sees can be different.
• Poetic writing helps represent
events/feelings/abstract ideas for the
reader.
 IMAGERY
•words or phrases an author uses to create pictures or
images in a reader’s mind

•appeal to the 5 senses

EXAMPLES:
• The soft, sweet smell of the flower
reminded him of her.
• The long, hollow wail of the train sent
shivers down his spine.
• The warm, fuzzy sweater hugged her
body.
 METAPHOR
•a direct comparison between 2 things without
using “like” or “as”

EXAMPLES:
• My car is a lemon.
• His apartment was an oven.
• Life is a highway.
• The snake’s stomach was a bottomless pit.
 SIMILE
•a comparison between 2 or more things
which are essentially different

•uses the words “like”, “as” or “than”

EXAMPLES:
• She is as small as a mouse.
• His face was blazing like a fire.
• Life is like a box of chocolates.
• Her eyes were clearer than water.
PERSONIFICATION
•inanimate objects and abstract ideas are given human
qualities: physical, emotional, psychological

EXAMPLES: • The leaves danced across the lawn.

• The wind chased her through the
streets.
• The mouse trap bit his finger.
 ALLUSIONS
• references to people, characters, or events from history,
mythology, religion, literature or pop culture

EXAMPLES:
• He had the language of Eminem and
style of Stephen Harper.
• She played the saxophone like Lisa
Simpson.
• The ride was so bumpy. You might as
well have been in a Red-River cart.