Hyperbole is a figure of speech which is an
exaggeration. Persons often use expressions such as "I
nearly died laughing," "I was hopping mad," and "I
tried a thousand times." Such statements are not
literally true, but people make them to sound
impressive or to emphasize something, such as a
feeling, effort, or reaction.
Practice:
Choose a hyperbole, write it in the space below and illustrate it in the box.
Hyperbole:
Basically, an onomatopoeia is a word which imitates a noise or
action.
For example, this sentence:
"The fly buzzed past" , the word "buzzed" is a word which sounds like a
fly flying. So it is an example of an onomatopoeia.
Another example of the onomatopoeia is this: "He clattered and clanged
as he washed the dishes", where "clattered" and "clanged" are
onomatopoeic since they imitate the actual sounds.
Practice: Write two sentences using onomatopoeia words below. Underline the examples of
onomatopoeia in your sentences.
1.
2.
PERSONIFICATION
is giving human qualities to something
that is not human.
You can personify objects:
The lights blinked in the distance.
The moon is a harsh mistress.
Your computer hates me.
You can personify concepts:
Time marches on.
It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
You can personify animals:
The birds expressed their joy.
The groundhog hovered indecisively.
Personification Practice: Circle the examples of personification in the
following poems.
Poem # 1
The Cat & The Fiddle
Hey diddle, Diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
By Mother Goose
Poem #2:
The Fantastic Tulip
By Megan & Katie, 10, Nottinghamshire, UK
The tulip slowly woke up from her
beautiful lovely dream,
she stretched her colourful,
bright petals.
Her shiny,brown eyes popped
out,while she was dancing in
the sunlight.
She stood still while a
cool breeze beckoned her
petals,amongst the other tulips.
The tulip slowly curled up into a
ball,she contemplated about her
fantastic,graceful dream.
Metaphors and Similes are both used to compare unlike
objects in order to show a connection or prove a point.
Metaphors do not use like or as, while similes do use like or as.
Practice:
Directions-Read each sentence below. 1. Label the sentence either simile or metaphor. 2. Write
out what two things are being compared. 3. Write out what you think the point is; what is the
connection between the two things being compared.
1. The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery
store shelves.
2. As the teacher entered the room she muttered under her breath, “This
class is like a three-ring circus!”
3. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack.
4. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.
5. I feel like a limp dishrag.
6. The fluorescent light was the sun during the test.
Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning consonant sounds in
nearby words. Remember: it’s not about spelling, it’s about
sound.
Example: The scared seagull scurried away.
Practice: Circle all of the sentences that are examples of
alliteration below.
1. The tiger circled in his cage.
2. The moon smiles back at you.
3. Red rock canyon rages with red.
4. If you’re afraid, phone a friend.
5. The keyboard clicks quietly.
Sensory Language is language that reminds you of one or more of your five senses (sight,
sound, touch, taste, and smell). Sensory language is used to create imagery. Imagery is creating
a mental picture for the reader using words.
Practice: Edit the following sentences to use sensory language to create an image for the reader.
1. The pie smelled good.
Edited version:
2. I walked into my brother’s room.
Edited version:
Oxymorons are two opposite words being put near one another for effect. Example: The
screamed quietly at the passing traffic. Screamed and quietly are opposites.
Practice: Write two examples of oxymorons below.
1.
2.
Idioms are sayings or expressions that convey a meaning unrelated to the actual words in the
sentence. Example: You’re on thin ice. This saying has nothing to do with ice, but instead
means that you’re almost in trouble.
Practice: Write three idioms in the space below.
1.
2.
3.
Figurative Language is language that is not meant to be taken literally. It adds meaning and/or
interest to your writing or speech.
Match the terms to the definitions below:
1. Alliteration
2. Oxymoron
3. Idiom
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Onomatopoeia
Simile
Hyperbole
Sensory Language
Metaphor
Personification
10. Imagery
a. Giving non-human objects human traits
b. Comparison between two unlike items without
using like or as
c. Comparison between two unlike items using like or
as
d. Repetition of the beginning consonant sounds
e. Opposite words put near one another for effect
f. Exaggeration on purpose
g. A saying or expression
h. Words that imitate sounds
i. Language that reminds you of one or more of your five
Senses
j. Words used to create a picture (or other sensory
impression) in the reader’s mind