Transcript Figurative Language

Figurative Language
Mrs. White
Ms. Cephas - 6th Grade Writing Class
What is Figurative Language?
Whenever you describe something by
comparing it with something else,
you are using figurative language.
Figurative language makes your
writing more interesting and enjoyable
for others to read.
Figurative is Opposite of Literal
O Literal means that something is exactly as
it is.
O She talks more than anyone in our class.
O If I eat cake every day, I could get sick.
* * * * *
Figurative compares, to make things
more interesting and descriptive:
• She talks a mile a minute.
• If I eat cake every day, I’ll be big as a
house!
Simile
O A simile uses the words “like” or “as”
to compare one object or idea with another
to suggest they are alike.
He slept like a log.
Metaphor
The metaphor states a fact or draws a
verbal picture by the use of comparison.
A simile would say you are like something;
a metaphor is more positive –
it says you are something.
• That boy is a clown.
• Her poodle is as mean as a pit bull.
Personification
O A figure of speech in which human
characteristics are given
to an animal or an object.
Is your refrigerator running?
Alliteration
O The repetition of the same initial letter,
sound, or group of sounds in a series of
words. Alliteration includes tongue twisters.
The perky, pointy pencil
Onomatopoeia
O The use of a word to describe or imitate a
natural sound or the sound
made by an object or an action.
Wham!
Whoosh!
Boing!
Ka-Boom!
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that is so dramatic
that no one would believe the
statement is true.
It’s raining cats and dogs!
Idiom
O Idioms are made of normal words that have a
special meaning known by almost everyone.
O An idiom means something different from what
it says
I’m listening. I’m all ears.
Pun
O Usually humorous and deliberate confusion
of words based upon the similarity of sound
(waist/waste, bear/bare). Synonyms.
When a clock is
hungry it goes
back four seconds.
Now YOU try it:
Change these boring statements…
The girls ate cookies, and they were good.
Our neighbor is nice, but he talks a lot.
Oh. That explosion was loud.
I’m waiting for lunchtime, and I’m hungry.
Figurative Language
Great Job!!!!
Now, let’s have some fun…