FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Ms. Cox
7th Grade Reading
WHAT IS FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE?
Special words or phrases that help
make literature or poems more
interesting and exciting. They also
help the reader understand better!
FYI
 Dissimilar means “not similar.”
SIMILE
 A comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as”
 The two things being compared must be completely different
(unlike). Not every sentence that contains “like” or “as” is a simile!
 Ex: As the girl was humiliated, her cheeks turned red as an apple.
 Non-Ex: The girl is as tall as her brothers. (The girl and her
brothers are not unlike things; they both describe people).
METAPHOR
 A comparison of two unlike things by saying that one thing is a
dissimilar object or thing.
 Usually contains words such as “am,” “are,” “is,” “was,” “were”
 Ex. Dad is a monster in the morning before he drinks coffee. (Dad
and monster are dissimilar and the comparison is explained)
 Non-Ex: Dad is a boat. (Dad and a boat are dissimilar, but there is
no clear reason for the comparison).
HYPERBOLE
 An exaggeration that cannot possibly be true
 Tip: Often intended to be funny. If it could happen in real life,
then it is not a hyperbole!
 Ex: Josie’s new friend is as skinny as a tooth pick. (No person
could be as skinny as a tooth pick).
 NON Ex: Josie’s new friend is as skinny as a fashion model (this
could be true, so is not a hyperbole).
PERSONIFICATION
 Giving human qualities to non-human things.
 Tip: The human quality must be completely unique to humans
 Can be an action ( The sun smiled) or an adjective (the angry wind
howled).
 EX: The sun smiled at the world as it rose this morning. (Smiling is
unique to humans)
 NON-EX: The flowers swayed in the breeze. (Flowers and humans
can sway).
IDIOM
 A group of words that mean something different than what they seem
to say.
 Tip: When translated to another language, idioms do not make sense;
many have a historical explanation.
 Ex. “When Bill joined the military, dad said he was swimming with the
sharks.” (There were no sharks; he meant Bill was in danger).
 NON-Ex: “When I fell overboard, I was swimming with the sharks.”
ALLITERATION
 The repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of
words.
 Tip: Often used in brand names- “Dunkin Donuts,” “Coca-Cola”
 Ex: “Harry hit the house hard with a hammer.”
 Non Ex: “Andy hit the nail hard with the hammer.”
ALLUSION
 A reference to a person, place, or event from literature, sports,
history, movies, or the arts.
 Tip: The reader must have prior knowledge of what is being
referenced to “get” the allusion.
 Ex: Heather’s mysterious smile rivaled that of the Mona Lisa.
 Non- Ex: The Mona Lisa can be viewed in Paris.
ONOMATOPOEIA
 Words whose sounds suggest their meaning.
 Tip: Animal noises are often examples (Oink, Moo, Quack, etc.)
 Ex: The door slowly creaked open and then slammed shut!
 Non-Ex: “Hello!” I screamed into the empty house.
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
I was just guessing, at numbers and figures
Pulling your puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
As the winter winds
Litter London with lonely hearts
Oh, the warmth of your eyes
Swept me into your arms
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
Help, I’m alive
My heart keeps beating like a hammer
Hard to be soft, tough to be tender
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the
Moon, moon, moon
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
See I deceive ya with my intergalactic ether
I sing just like Aretha, so respect me like I’m Caesar
I kick it like Addidas, throwing sticky like adhesive
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
I am not your rolling wheels
I am the highway
I am not your carpet ride
I am the sky
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
Been there, done that, messed around
I’m having fun, don’t put me down
I’ll never let you sweep my off my feet
This time, baby, I’ll be bulletproof
WHAT WOULD THIS BE?
I know we got it good
But they got it made
And the grass is getting greener each day