Notes on Figurative Language
(from Week 7)
Imagery
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Imagery is used in writing to appeal to a variety of
the five senses. It is very descriptive writing that
provides the reader with a vivid image of the scene.
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For example, "The swishing sound the dress made against
her legs wafted the scent of fresh laundry up to her nose." This
sentence uses the "hearing" and "smelling" senses
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Example from Fahrenheit 451
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“Rain. The storm. The uncle laughing. Thunder falling
downstairs…The fire gushing up in a volcano. All
rushing on down around in a spouting roar and rivering
stream toward morning” (Bradbury 18)
Simile (Review)
Similes: A comparison using like of as
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Example: Life is like a box of chocolates
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Example: Kevin runs as slow as a a line
Example from Fahrenheit 451
“There was only a girl walking with him
now, her face bright as snow in the
moonlight, and he knew” (Bradbury 5)
Metaphor (Review)
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Metaphor: A comparison not using like or as
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Example: Life is a broken winged bird that can not fly
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Example: That foot ball player is an unstoppable train
Example from Fahrenheit 451
Her face was a snow-covered island upon which rain
might fall, but it felt no rain...” (Bradbury 13).
Personification
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Personification: Giving non human things, human
characteristics
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The snow whispered as it fell to the ground
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The strawberries seemed to sing “eat me first.”
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Example from Fahrenheit 451
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“As he stood there the sky over the house screamed”
(Bradbury 13)
Allusion
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Allusion: A reference to a well known person, place, event, literary
work or work of art
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Example: You are such a Scrooge.
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Example: I am hoping to have a phoenix moment so that I can make a
comeback.
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Example: I can do for you what Martin did for the people (Jay-Z)
Example from Fahrenheit 451
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“he would look at himself, minstrel man…” (Bradbury 4).
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“You’ve been locked up here for years with a regular damned Tower of
Babel” (Bradbury 38).
Hyperbole
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Hyperbole is a statement of exaggeration for
dramatic effect.
Examples:
Abby was so sick, she was coughing up a lung.
I could eat my arm right now.
I finished that test in 10 seconds!
Example from Fahrenheit 451: “Montag was cut in half. He
felt his chest chopped down and split apart” (Bradbury
13).