Go Figure!

Figurative Language

Recognizing Figurative
Language
The opposite of literal language is figurative
language. Figurative language is language
that means more than what it says on the
surface.
It usually gives us a feeling about its subject.
Poets use figurative language almost as
frequently as literal language. When you read
poetry, you must be conscious of the
difference. Otherwise, a poem may make no
sense at all.
Printed Quiz

Online Quiz

Recognizing Literal
Language
Ive eaten so much I feel as if I could
literally burst!
In this case, the person is not using the word

literally in its true meaning. Literal means "exact"

or "not exaggerated." By pretending that the
statement is not exaggerated, the person
stresses how much he has eaten.

Literal language is language that means

exactly what is said.
Most of the time, we use
literal language.

What is figurative language?

Whenever you describe something

by comparing it with something else,

you are using figurative language.

Types of Figurative Language

Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Hyperbole

Simile
A figure of speech that is a direct

comparison between two unlike

things, using the words like or as.
Example: The muscles on his brawny
arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor
A figure of speech which is a comparison

between two unlike things.

A metaphor DOES NOT USE like or as.
Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped
through the dessert.

Personification
A figure of speech that gives the human

qualities to an animal, an object, or an

idea.
Example: The wind whistled while blowing
through the trees."
The wind cannot whistle. Only a human can
whistle.

Hyperbole
An exaggerated statement,

stretching the truth

Example: My mom has told me a
million times to clean my room.

Figure It Out!!!
The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining

with all his might

Figure It Out!!!
Theres a faucet in the basement / that had

dripped one drop all year since he fixed it, we

cant find it / without wearing scuba gear.

Figure It Out!!!
The leaves are little yellow fish / swimming in

the river

Figure It Out!!!
When the swarm of bees buzzed overhead,

the sky turned dark as night

Figure It Out!!!
The tabloids screamed their headlines at the

customers walking by.

Figure It Out!!!
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it

dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Figure It Out!!!
If you were only one inch tall, youd ride a

worm to school. / The teardrop of a crying ant

would be your swimming pool.

Figure It Out!!!
The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining

with all his might

PERSONIFICATION

Figure It Out!!!
Theres a faucet in the basement / that had

dripped one drop all year since he fixed it, we

cant find it / without wearing scuba gear.
HYPERBOLE

Figure It Out!!!
The leaves are little yellow fish / swimming in

the river

METAPHOR

Figure It Out!!!
When the swarm of bees buzzed overhead,

the sky turned dark as night

SIMILE

Figure It Out!!!
The tabloids screamed their headlines at the

customers walking by.

PERSONIFICATION

Figure It Out!!!
What happens to a dream deferred? Does it

dry up like a raisin in the sun?

SIMILE

Figure It Out!!!
If you were only one inch tall, youd ride a

worm to school. / The teardrop of a crying ant

would be your swimming pool.

HYPERBOLE