 Smiley-Face Tricks 
Figurative Language
Techniques to make your reader smile!
SIMILE
A comparison between two unlike things using
the word “like,” “as,” or occasionally “than.”
My little brother Sam is like a constant shadow, always lurking
around behind me.
Our sub Mr. Wickman is as tall as a skyscraper.
I’m faster than a fighter jet in battle when I’m rollerblading.
METAPHOR
A direct comparison between two unlike things,
stating that one thing is another, or implying
that it is.
My life is a twisting road with a surprise around each corner.
Homework is a bloody-fanged beast eating away my free time.
I’m in the autumn of my life; all is colorful, but only briefly!
Are the Following Examples
Metaphors or Similes?
My students are bright, shining stars.
METAPHOR
Monday mornings are an enemy to be defeated.
METAPHOR
Life is an amazing labyrinth; you never know
what will be around the corner.
METAPHOR
My sister’s bedroom looks like Hurricane Irene
walloped it!
SIMILE
Their laughter is a gift from angels.
METAPHOR
I’m a rocket on fire when I’m on my quad.
METAPHOR
We sneaked down the stairs quieter than a
falling feather.
SIMILE
Veins are highways for our blood.
METAPHOR
A great book is like hanging out with a best
friend.
SIMILE
Those clouds look like mounds of breezy, white
cotton candy.
SIMILE
Our teacher’s eyes are lasers that never miss the
mark when looking for classroom mischief.
METAPHOR
NOW, MORE TECHNIQUES…
Which Technique is Being Used?
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Onomatopoeia?
Personification?
Hyperbole?
Alliteration?
Assonance?
FIRST, SOME REFRESHERS!
ONOMATOPOEIA
The use of words to mimic sounds.
Who’s rapping and knocking on the door?
Is that bacon sizzling?
Cockroaches scuffled across the floor in science class.
PERSONIFICATION
Giving human qualities to non-human things;
the quality must be something it cannot
naturally do.
My Blackberry is tired and sore from all my texting.
The flag stood tall and proud on the site of the former twin
towers on 9/11.
HYPERBOLE
An almost outrageous exaggeration,
usually for comic effect.
I hate my nose because it’s the size of Texas!
We love Ireland so much, our blood is green.
ALLITERATION
The repetition of consonant sounds.
Tall evergreen trees tilted to and fro gracefully in the timid breeze.
I suffered a slippery fate after stepping on soap.
Many monkeys were munching on mangoes.
ASSONANCE
Repetition of vowel sounds.
All right! Let’s fight, fight, fight with all our might!
Let’s go and face our foe, so our reputation will grow.
HYPHENATED MODIFIER
A string of hyphenated words that,
together, act as an adjective.
Sam is a keep-your-secrets-safe type of loyal friend.
Mr. Liptak is a strict, will-not-tolerate-foolishness teacher.
The day before the big science test I was in a oh-my-goodnessI’m-going-throw-up panic!
Are the Following Examples:
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Onomatopoeia?
Personification?
Hyperbole?
Alliteration?
Assonance?
Hyphenated Modifier?
My backpack is grumpy and tired from the
heavy load of books in its belly.
PERSONIFICATION
Mr. Easton is so furious that his face looks ready
to burst open like an overripe tomato!
HYPERBOLE
(A SIMILE, TOO!)
Why did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
Who pickled them before they were picked? This is
puzzling!
ALLITERATION
Ms. Hart had her I’m-not-listening-to-another ridiculous-excuse face on this morning.
HYPHENATED MODIFIER
“Stamp your feet to kill defeat!” our coach yelled.
ASSONANCE
We quickly shooshed down the slope on the newly
fallen snow.
ONOMATOPOEIA
A foolish frog fell off a lily pad while fanning itself.
ALLITERATION
Gravel scrunched under our feet as we trudged
along the eerie, isolated road.
ONOMATOPOEIA
Your attitude is so awful, it smells like garbage!
HYPERBOLE
(AND SIMILE)
I saw a fox in socks eating lox while sitting on a box.
ASSONANCE
We are a can’t-be-beat-by-anyone hockey team!
HYPHENATED MODIFIER
My scissors attacked the paper with vengeance!
PERSONIFICATION
When Using  Tricks,
Avoid Clichés
A cliché is tired, worn-out phrase that
most people within a culture
or geographic region are familiar with.
What Does Each Cliché Mean?
I’m under the weather today.
It’s par for the course.
The more the merrier!
I have an ax to grind with you, young man!
He’s turning fifty, which is over the hill.
Put on a happy face and don’t be sad.
You are in for a treat today, Dumplings!
You have ants in your pants today!
More…
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It was all in a day’s work.
I’ll help you at the drop of a hat.
I’m as snug as a bug in a rug in this sleeping bag.
You are barking up the wrong tree.
His recommendation is my ace in the hole.
She’s mad as a hatter; where does she get her ideas?
SO…
AND USE ORIGINAL: