Figurative Language

Language used to create special effects, to

add meaning

SIMILEA description that

compares two

unlike things, using

the words “like” or

as.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp--noTeEPo

She ran like a

cheetah.

METAPHORA description that

compares two things

without using “like”

or “as.”

HYPERBOLEAn exaggeration so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true

He was so hungry, he

ate the entire cornfield

for lunch, stalks and

all.

PERSONIFICATION

Gives human characteristics to an animal or object

The sky

was

crying.

The sky is crying.

The fire swallowed the entire

forest.

ALLITERATION

Uses the same letter

or beginning sounds

to bring attention to

those words

Dewdrops are

dancing down

daisies.

Onomatopoeia Words that imitate a natural sound or the

sound made by an object in action

Pun

A pun is a play on words, often humorous, that

uses words that have similar or identical

sounds but very different meanings.

I’ve been to the dentist lots of

times, so I know the drill.

IDIOM

An idiom is an expression used by a group of people with a meaning that is known only through common use.

If it is raining in large amounts, most

cultures have an interesting way of saying

that:

In English, it would be “raining cats and

dogs”

In Africa, they might say “it's raining old

women with clubs”

Many languages refer to heavy rain as

coming in buckets or as rain coming out of

a bucket.

In Norway they say “it's raining female

trolls”

The Irish say “it's throwing cobblers knives”

She’s just waiting for him to kick the bucket.

It’s only a drop in the bucket.

That ring cost an arm and a leg.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

I’m ready to hit the sack.

You didn’t have to let the cat out of the bag.

The ball is in your court now.

He has a chip on his shoulder.

I’ve been on pins and needles all day.

Examples:

simile– “You Lie” Band Perry

metaphor “Naturally” Selena Gomez

hyperbole— “I’m Yours” Jason Mraz

personification– “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” Green Day

Alliteration (and many others) “Smile” Uncle Kracker