Figurative Language
English 10
Poetry Unit
Figurative Language
Figurative language is language that is not
meant to be understood literally. To
understand figurative language, you must
think about it!
Metaphor
A metaphor states that one thing is another
thing and has a tenor, ground and
vehicle.
Simile
A simile is a type of metaphor that
compares two unlike things using like or
as _________ as etcetera.
Personification
Personification is giving human
characteristics to something that is not
human.
Are the following
expressions examples
of
• Personification
•Simile
Or
•Metaphor?
The Alarm clock went off like a
bomb!
Simile
The ants marched home.
Personification
She’s as mad as a hatter!
Simile
Sun went to bed!
Personification
The moon is a ghostly galleon
tossed upon cloudy seas.
Metaphor
She was as quiet as a mouse.
Simile
The trees whispered to each other
in the darkness.
Personification
The frog’s tongue moved like
lightening.
Simile
She ate the mountain of food
greedily.
Metaphor
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a two word statement
where the two words contradict each
other.
Paradox
A paradox is a statement that seems to be
impossible.
Pun
A pun is a deliberate confusion between two
words or phrases that sound the same. Puns
are usually meant to be jokes.
Are the following
expressions
examples of
Oxymoron
Paradox
Or
Pun?
The people we love the most often
become those we hate the most.
PARADOX
Giant Shrimp
OXYMORON
Deep down he's really very shallow.
Paradox
Police were called to a daycare where a threeyear-old was resisting a rest.
PUN
Sometimes it proves the highest
understanding not to understand.
Gracian
PARADOX
Some children think that their parents are all
no-ing.
PUN
They have ears but hear not.
PARADOX
Balding Hair
OXYMORON
I wondered why the baseball was getting
bigger. Then it hit me.
PUN
Man must choose to be rich in things or in the
freedom to use them.
Ivan Illich
PARADOX