What is

Figurative Language?
Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions that are
different than the literal meanings.

Figurative language helps the reader get a clearer picture

of what is happening in the story.

Figurative language can be used to simply entertain the

reader.
Figurative language “spices up” your reading and
writing!
Let’s “spice up” some sentences by
using figurative language!

John is really tall!

John is as tall as a
giraffe!
Is John really as tall No, but figurative language
as a giraffe (literally)? helps us to understand
that John is very tall. We
get a clearer picture of John.
Let’s “spice up” another sentence by
using figurative language!

My sister has been talking

on the phone for a long time!

My sister has been talking

on the phone for a year!
Has the sister really
been talking on the phone
for a year (literally)?

No, but figurative language

helps us to understand that she has
been talking on the phone for a
loooong time! It gives us a clearer
picture.
There are different
types of
figurative language.
hyperboles alliteration
Imagery
onomatopoeia
metaphors
Cliches
idioms Assonance similes
Euphemism Symbolism
personification CONSONANCE
 simile
A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as”.

The clouds floated through the sky like puffy marshmallows.

metaphor
A metaphor compares two things without using the words “like” or “as.”

The clouds are puffy marshmallows.

idiom
An idiom is a saying that has a different meaning from its literal
meaning. lite
rall meaning of the idiom:
y
Who let the cat out of Who told the secret?
the bag?
 personification
Personification is when an idea, animal, or object is
given human characteristics.
The gentle breeze kissed the children’s cheeks.

alliteration
Alliteration places two or more words together that
begin with the same sound.
The alligator ate an apple!

hyperbole
A hyperbole uses an exaggeration
to get a point across.
My brother has a million toys!
Not really, but he does have A LOT of toys!
 Assonance
Is a form of poetic structure which focuses on the repetition of vowel sounds in
the middle of a word.
Kite and bike; cake and bake
The pig in a wig did a jig.
The cat sat on the mat.
Moths cough and drop wings.
I’ll make a cake for you to take.

CONSONANCE
Is the repetition of two or more consonant sounds within a line or mostly
in the middle of a word.

1. I think I like the pink kite. (Repetition of the “k” sound.)

2. And all is seared with trade; bleared smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell; the soil
 Euphemism
Is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to
the listener than the word or phrase it replaces.
1. Passed away instead of died.
2. Correctional facility instead of jail.
3. Adult entertainment instead of pornography.
4. Wardrobe malfunction instead for exposure.
5. Pre-owned for used or second hand.

Imagery
Words or phrases a writer uses to create a certain picture in the reader’s
mind. Imagery is usually based on sensory details.

Taste: The familiar tang of his grandmother’s cranberry sauce reminded him of his
youth.
Sound: The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days afterward.
Sight: The sunset was the most gorgeous they’d ever seen; the clouds were edged
with pink and gold.
Smell: After eating the curry, his breath reeked of garlic.
Touch: The tree bark was rough against her skin.
 Cliches
Are statements that have been heard so often that their once colorful play on
words has become expected and stale.
1. Let's touch base.
2. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
3. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
4. I'm like a kid in a candy store.
5. I lost track of time.
6. Roses are red, violets are blue…
7. Time heals all wounds.
8. We're not laughing at you, we're laughing with you.

Symbolism
Occurs when a word which has meaning in itself but is used to represent
something entirely different.

1. the sea- life

2. flower or a butterfly- delicate and fragile beauty
3. rock- strength and permanency
4. owl- wisdom
5. apple- education
6. serpent- temptation (Adam and Eve)
7. dove- peace and freedom
 onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when a word imitates the sound that
it represents.
 Now, let’s look at
some comics that
relate to figurative
language!
Sample Discussion Questions:

This comic has an example

of figurative language
in it. What is it, and what
point is the comic’s author
trying to get across?

What type of figurative

language is used in this comic?

What is the literal meaning

of, “It’s raining cats
and dogs!”?
 Frame 1
Frame 2

Sample Discussion Questions:

The mother is using two examples of idioms in this comic. What are they?

The kids do not understand figurative language, so they take the mom’s comments literally.
What point is the mom trying to get across to
the kids in frame 1? Frame 2?
Sample Discussion Questions:

What attributes identify this

figurative language as
a simile?

What two items are being

compared using the word
“as?”

How do you know that this

pizza is not “fresh out of the
oven?”
 y
ook
P

Sample Discussion Questions:

Garfield states that he used alliteration. What is the example of alliteration

that he is referring to?

Can you use another example of alliteration that would make sense in this
comic?
Sample Discussion Questions:

This comic shows an example

of figurative language comparing
two things. The dad is comparing
the _________ to a ________.

The dad is using the word, “like,” to

compare two items. What type of
figurative language is this an
example of?

“The engine is purring like a

kitten.” What does this tell you
about the engine?
Sample Discussion Questions:

“Stop bugging me!” What does this mean?

Sample Discussion Questions:

What is the key word that

makes this an example
of personification? Why?

What word do you see hidden

in “personification?”
Sample Discussion Questions:

A hyperbole uses exaggeration

to get a point across. What is the
exaggeration in this
sentence?

Describe the backpack based

on the use of figurative language.

What would be another example of a

hyperbole
that could be used to describe
something really heavy?
Sample Discussion Questions:

“The trees are sneezing.” What type of figurative language is this comic
demonstrating?

Fill in the blanks with words that demonstrate personification:

danced
The leaves ___________________ in the wind.

whispered
The wind _______________ in my ear.

whistled
The wind _______________ through the window crack.
Sample Discussion Questions:

Note: “Play through” in golf means that you let someone pass you on the golf course.

What does the man actually mean by, “Time to pick it up, guys.”?

“Pick it up” can also be used in another context. If your mom tells you to “Pick up your
room,” what does she mean (literally)?
There is a common statement that utilizes a hyperbole:
“I am so hungry, I could eat a horse!”
What does this mean?

Now, explain the comic and its humor.

The End!