Figurative vs. Literal
To understand
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figurative language
one has to understand the
difference between
figurative & literal
Literal
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Here’s an example.
I’m tired and going home.
This means “I’m tired and I’m going
home” there is no other meaning
other than what is said.
I mean exactly what I say.
Figurative
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To be figurative is to not mean
what you say but imply
something else.
For example:
If, I tell you: “let’s go chill!”
I’m not suggesting we get into
the freezer.
Figurative continued
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“let’s go chill” …
…means let’s relax
together and do something
fun.
It has nothing
to do with temperature.
Figurative Language
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Figurative Language does not
always mean what is being said
or read, but rather, authors use
it to describe things in a more
interesting way.
Simile
 Simile: Simile is the comparison of
two unlike things using like or as.
 Examples:
He eats like a pig.
She runs like the wind.
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
by Dr. Seuss
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel.
Mr. Grinch.
Metaphor
 A metaphor states that one
thing is something else. It is a
comparison, but it does NOT
use like or as to make the
comparison.
 Example:
 You are such a pig.
 Anthony Davis is a
monster on defense.
You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel.
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.
Your heart's an empty hole.
Your brain is full of spiders,
You've got garlic in your soul.
Mr. Grinch.
Is it a Simile or a Metaphor?
 The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the
cans on the grocery store shelves.
 As the teacher entered the room she muttered under
her breath, "This class is like a three-ring circus!“
 The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward
Jack.
 The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it
after a long day.
Create your own simile or metaphor using these starters.
Then, label each one as a simile or a metaphor.
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The cat was a ___________.
The night is ____________.
The moon is like _________.
He dances like __________.
Brian was a wall, bouncing
every tennis ball back over the
net.
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This metaphor compares Brian to a
wall because ________.
a. He was very strong.
b. He was very tall.
c. He kept returning the balls.
d. His body was made of cells.
Joyet
2004
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The poor rat didn’t have a
chance. Our old cat, a bolt of
lightning, caught his prey.
The cat was compared to a bolt of
lightning because he was _______.
a. very fast
b. very bright
c. not fond of fleasd. very old
Joyet
2004
We would have had more pizza to eat
if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.
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Tammy was being compared to a
hog because she _________.
a. looked like a hog
b. ate like a hog
c. smelled like a hog
d. was as smart as a hog
Joyet
2004
Personification
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Personification is a figurative
language technique in which
human characteristics are given
to nonhuman things.
Examples:
The stars danced playfully in the moonlit sky.
The waffle jumped up out of the toaster.
The sun smiled down on the
children at play.
As he stood there the sky
over the house screamed.
The sycamore trees whispered
in a little night breeze.
Check out these examples of
personification from these classic novels.
Complete your custom example of personification using one
of the starters below. Include it in your notes.
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The wind
The leaves
The moon
The stars
The door
Figurative Language Flashback
MATCH the examples to the correct type of figurative language.
A. Personification
B. Simile
C. Metaphor
We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such
a hog.
2. The angry waves beat against the beach.
3. The soccer player was a flash of light, running past all the other
players.
4. Because I could not leave until 5 p.m., my office was like a small
prison with no windows.
1.
The baby was a loud, screaming siren, hurting my ears.
6. The moon winked at me through the blinds of my windows.
5.
Exit Slip
 Create a simile or metaphor
describing the class’s behavior
today. Underline the two things
being compared.