Figurative LanguageFigurative LanguageFigurative LanguageFigurative Language
Metaphors, Similes, and Metaphors, Similes, and Personification Personification
Metaphors • A metaphor is a figure of speech in which an
implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common.
• Metaphors are most common when comparing two things not using “like” or “as”.
Examples of Metaphors• My father is a rock. • This means he is a very
strong or reliable person. • He is compared to a rock
because it is a hard, mineral material made of stone.
• I'm not an angel, but I wouldn't behave like that.
• This means they are not a perfect person.
• They are compared to this because an angel is a spiritual being believed to be a messenger of God.
• She was a graceful swan during her dance recital.
• This means the dancer moved gracefully.
• The dancer is compared to a swan because a swan moves gracefully.
• We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.
• This means that Tammy ate a lot!• She is compared to a hog
because hogs eat a large amount without thinking about anyone but themselves.
• Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind.
• This means she is a stubborn person.
• Mules are known for being stubborn.
• Our old cat was a bolt of lightning when he caught his prey.
• The cat is very fast.• The cat is compared to a
bolt of lightening because it strikes quickly.
Similes• A simile is a type of figurative language. • A simile is the comparison of two unlike
things using the word 'like' or 'as.'
Examples of Similes• The girl swam like a fish
in the water.• The girl was a very good
swimmer.• She is compared to a
fish because fish are natural swimmers .
• The twins were like two peas in a pod.
• The twins were nearly identical.
• They are compared to peas in a pod because they look the same.
• The fish I caught was as big as a whale!
• I caught a large fish.• The fish is compared to
a whale because it is the largest aquatice mammal.
• My grandfather was as wise as King Solomon and often gave us advice. With the picture.. Should we say wise as an owl? I have a picture of an owl I took..we could use..
• Grandfather is very wise.• He is being compared to King
Solomon because he was known for his wisdom.
• The weight lifter was as strong as an ox.
• The weight lifter was strong!
• He was compared to an ox because oxen are known for their strength.
Personification• Personification is a type of figurative language.• Personification is giving human traits
(qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas).
Examples of Personification• The car engine
coughed when it started during the blizzard.
• The verb, cough, is a human action. The engine is a non-living thing.
• The china danced on the shelves during the earthquake.
• The verb, danced, is a human action. The china is a non-living thing.
• The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning hours.
• The verb, whispered, is a human action. The snow is a non-living thing.
Personification• The video camera
observed the whole scene.
• The verb, observed, is a human action. The video camera is a non-living thing.