Figurative Language
Alliteration
the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are
close together (lay down the law)
Hyperbole
extreme exaggeration made for effect
(I cried a million tears.)
Idiom
an expression that means something different than its literal meaning
(It’s raining cats and dogs.)
Imagery
the use of vivid language/description to create pictures in the reader’s
mind
(“The clouds changed from gray to pink, and the mist was touched
with gold.”)
Metaphor
a comparison between two unlike things in which one becomes the
other; usually uses a “to be” verb
(“His eyes were blue, blazing ice, cold with a hatred of the whole
world.”)
Personification giving human feelings, thoughts or attitudes to non-living, inanimate
objects
(“His dancing gray eyes…”)
Onomatopoeia words that imitate the sounds they represent
(“I tried to swallow a groan and wished wildly for my brother.”)
Simile
a comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”
(“He flexed his muscles so that they bulged like baseballs.”)
Figurative Language in Lyrics
Directions: Complete the chart below by matching the lines from each song with one of the terms
listed. Be sure to explain why each lyric uses the term you list.
Simile
Figurative
Language
Metaphor
Onomatopoeia
Song Lyric
“Bang, bang, bang on the door,
baby!”
“This town is colder now; I think it’s
sick of us.”
“Baby, you’re a firework.”
“Her eyes, her eyes make the stars
look like they’re not shining.”
“You and me baby, we’re stuck like
glue.”
“And the shadow of the day will
embrace the world today.”
“Tic Toc on the clock, but the party
don’t stop”
“You’ve got a smile that takes me
to another planet.”
“You were Romeo. I was a Scarlet
Letter.”
“And I’m gonna miss you like a
child misses their blanket.”
Hyperbole
Personification
Reason