FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
AND “THE SCARLET IBIS”
ENGLISH I
FLASH REVIEW
• A short story is a piece of writing that is shorter than a
novel.
• So far, we have learned about four literary elements that
are found in short stories:
• Plot: What happens during a story
• 5 Parts: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
• Characterization: The information an author gives you
regarding characters in a short story
• Implicit/Explicit characterization, Static/ Dynamic character
• Setting: When and where a story takes place
• When: Time of day, time of year, and time in history
• Where: Specific and general setting
• Mood: How the story makes the audience feel
• Emotions, not just “happy” or “sad”
FIGURATIVE/LITERAL LANGUAGE
• Literal is real, figurative is imaginary!
• Literal language occurs when words function
exactly as described.
• Example 1: The car is red.
• Example 2: The Eagles won the football game.
• Figurative language occurs when the author wants
to paint an image in the reader’s mind. The author
uses words that have an implied (or alternate)
meaning.
• Example 1: I’ve got your back.
• Example 2: Let’s go chill!
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILE
• A simile is a comparison of two objects using the
words “like” or “as.”
• Example 1: Anna is as busy as a bee .
• Example 2: Harry and Jimmy are like two peas in a pod.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: SIMILE
• Note: Using “like” or “as” in a sentence does not
create a simile! A comparison must be made.
• Not a simile: I like candy.
• Simile: Mandy is sweet like candy.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: METAPHOR
• A metaphor is a comparison made without using
“like” or “as.”
• Example 1: All the world is a stage.
• Example 2: Men are dogs.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
PERSONIFICATION
• Personification occurs when human traits are given
to objects or ideas.
• Example 1: The sunlight danced upon the water.
• Example 2: She is a graceful swan.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: HYPERBOLE
• A hyperbole uses exaggeration to show a strong
feeling or effect.
• Example 1: All hands on deck!
• Example 2: My next class is a million miles away.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
ONOMATOPOEIA
• An onomatopoeia occurs when you use a word
that “makes” a sound.
• Example 1: Oink
• Example 2: Buzz
• Example 3: Pop
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: IDIOM
• An idiom is a saying that isn’t meant to be taken
literally.
• Example 1: You are the apple of my eye.
• Example 2: I wear my heart on my sleeve.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
ALLITERATION
• Alliteration occurs when a sentence or phrase
begins with the same letter or sound.
• Tongue twisters often use alliteration!
• Example 1: She sells seashells by the sea shore.
• Example 2: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
WHY USE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?
• Figurative language is also known as descriptive
language or poetic language.
• Figurative language helps the writer paint a picture
in the reader’s mind. This is called imagery.
JAMES HURST, AUTHOR OF “IBIS”
WHO IS JAMES HURST?
• James Hurst was born on January 1, 1922 near
Jacksonville, North Carolina.
• He attended Booker T. Washington high school in
Atlanta, Georgia.
• After graduating from high school, Hurst attended North
Carolina State College where he studied chemical
engineering.
• After serving in the military during World War II, Hurst
decided to become an opera singer and studied at the
Julliard School of Music in New York.
• Hurst decided to leave his singing career behind to
become a banker in New York. Hurst enjoyed writing
plays and short stories in his spare time.
WHAT IS A SCARLET IBIS?
• The Scarlet Ibis is a
species of the ibis bird
family that resides in
South America and in
islands of the
Caribbean.
• One feature that sets
the Scarlet Ibis apart
from other ibis birds is its
brilliant red color,
making the bird hard to
miss!
• If a scarlet ibis is in
captivity (or
RESOURCES
• http://d.grassets.com/authors/1254247775p5/59410.jpg
• http://resources.waza.org/files/images/w(415)h(252
)c(1)q(90)/ee8fc35ad33889e4e8228e54c4221419.jp
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