Figurative Speech
Simile
What are literal and figurative
speech?
• Figurative and literal are opposites.
• Literal language means exactly what it
says.
• Figurative language uses the imagination
to help the reader or listener to understand
more than the plain words.
Figurative or Literal?
• He ran fast.
• He ran like the wind.
• He moved at a snail’s
pace.
• He moved slowly.
• His eyes were bright.
• His eyes were like
diamonds.
• Literal
• Figurative
• Figurative
• Literal
• Literal
• Figurative
Figurative or Literal
• He is tall.
• He is a giant.
• He never leaves his
house.
• His house is a prison.
• He is an angel.
• He is very sweet and
good.
• Literal
• Figurative
• Literal
• Figurative
• Figurative
• Literal
Figurative or Literal
• His hands were as
cold as ice.
• His hands were very
cold.
• He is as strong as an
ox.
• He is very strong.
• He eats very little.
• He eats like a bird.
• Figurative
• Literal
• Figurative
• Literal
• Literal
• Figurative
4 Common Types of Figurative
Speech
1) Simile
– One thing is like another thing
Ex. He is as strong as an ox.
He ran like the wind.
4 Common Types of Figurative
Speech
1) Simile
2) Metaphor
– One thing is a different thing
Ex. Her home was a prison.
He is a giant.
4 Common Types of Figurative
Speech
1) Simile
2) Metaphor
3) Hyperbole
– Use an exaggerated (more than real)
statement to create an emotional response
Ex. My love for you is deeper than the sea.
Her brain is the size of a pea.
4 Common Types of Figurative
Speech
1)
2)
3)
4)
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Oxymoron
– Use two contradictory (opposite) ideas to
generate a new concept or idea
Ex. A living death
A deafening silence
Simile
•
Something [is*] AS adjective AS
something
– It [felt] AS hard AS a rock.
•
Something [is*] LIKE something
– These cookies [taste] LIKE garbage.
•
Something [does**] LIKE something
– He [eats] LIKE a pig.
Simile Making
• Everyone has a different adjective or trait.
• I will say an object.
• Stand up if you think your card matches
the object.
• Use your card and the object to make a
simile.
• Choose an appropriate subject.