FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
WHY USE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?
• It makes my writing interesting.
• It is a way to “show”, which is better than “tell”.
• It creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
WHY UNDERSTAND FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE?
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Improves my reading comprehension.
Helps me understand the progression of plot.
Helps me understand the motives of characters.
Requires me to draw inferences – so gives me
practice with this skill.
HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?
• I must know the difference between the literal
meaning of figurative language and the figurative
meaning of figurative language.
• Literal Meaning: What it means if I accept it at face
value – what it says “right there”…
• Figurative Meaning: What it means when I explore
how the author is using the figurative language;
what the author is trying to say about an event,
setting, or character.
SIMILE
Definition: Figure of speech where two unlike things
are compared using like or as.
Example: My brother is as loud as a police siren.
Literal meaning: When Matt’s brother opens his
mouth, we hear a loud siren wailing.
Figurative meaning: Very, very, very loud.
METAPHOR
Definition: Figure of speech where one thing is referred to
as if it were another; comparison of two unlike things
Difference between simile and metaphor: Metaphor does
not use like, as.
Metaphor:
• Example: My arm is a soggy waffle.
• Example: Mrs. Hynes is a bear today.
• Example: The snow was the cool delicious milk in my
cereal bowl.
• Example: Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.
PERSONIFICATION
• Definition: A type of figurative language where a
nonhuman subject is given a human characteristic.
• Example: Sorrow knocked on my door, but I was
afraid to answer.
• Example: Trees danced in the wind.
IDIOM
Definition: Expression that has a meaning particular to
a language or region
Example: Break a leg.
Literal meaning: Right there meaning – break your leg.
Figurative meaning: Good luck.
OTHER IDIOMS
• They’re dropping like flies.
• Face the music.
• Pull out all the stops.