English (Figurative Language)

Figurative Language
“Figuring it Out”
Activity 1.2. Guess What?
• Rachel is as bright as the sun.
Simile
• The whole world is a stage.
Metaphor
• The wind whispered in my ears.
Personification
• O William, you should be living now to see all this.
Apostrophe
• Sally sold some seashells.
Alliteration
Literal and Figurative Language
Literal words function exactly as defined.
The car is blue.

https://tinyurl.com/4assfuzh
Figurative words figure out what it means.
I’ve got your back.
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FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE
We use figures of speech in

"figurative language" to:
1. add color and interest
2. to awaken the imagination
FIGURE OF SPEECH
is an expression that has a
meaning other than the literal
meaning.
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Difference
• Figurative language refers to language
that contains figures of speech, while
figures of speech are the particular
techniques.
• If figurative language is like a dance
routine, figures of speech are like the
various moves that make up the routine.
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Simile
Comparison of two things using “like” or “as.”
Examples
The metal twisted like a ribbon.
She is as sweet as candy.
Important!
Using “like” or “as” doesn’t make a simile.
A comparison must be made.
Not a Simile: I like pizza.
Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

Metaphor
Two things are compared without using
“like” or “as.”
Examples
All the world is a stage.

Men are dogs.
Her heart is stone.
Other examples of Metaphor
• The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the

assignment was not difficult.)
• Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her

voice makes him feel happy)
Personification
Giving human traits to objects or ideas.
Examples
The sunlight danced.

Water on the lake shivers.
The streets are calling me.
Other examples of
Personification
• The stars danced playfully in the moonlit
sky.
• The run down house appeared depressed.
• The first rays of morning tiptoed through
the meadow.
• She did not realize that opportunity was
knocking at her door.
Hyperbole
Exaggerating to show strong feeling or effect.
Examples
I will love you forever.
My house is a million miles away.
She’d kill me if I tell you her secret.
Other examples of Hyperbole
• I am so hungry I could eat a horse.
• I have a million things to do.
• I had to walk 15 miles to school in the
snow, uphill.
• I had a ton of homework.
• If I can’t buy that new game, I will die.
IRONY
This figure of speech tries to use a word in a literal
sense that debunks what has just been said.
Examples:
• “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War
Room!”
• A pilot has a fear of heights.
• A fire station burns down.
• I don’t get it when he posted on Facebook
complaining how useless Facebook is.
Other examples of Synecdoche
• The word “bread” can be used to represent food
in general or money (e.g. he is the breadwinner;
music is my bread and butter).
• The word “sails” is often used to refer to a whole
ship.
• The phrase "hired hands" can be used to refer to
workmen.
• The word "head" refers to cattle. The word
"wheels" refers to a vehicle.
Other examples of Metonymy
• The pen is mightier than the sword.
(Pen refers to written words and sword to
military force.)
• The Oval Office was busy in work.

(“The Oval Office” is a metonymy as it
stands for people at work in the office.)
Other examples of Allusion
• Chocolate was her Achilles’
heel.
• I was surprised his nose was not
growing like Pinocchio’s.
• I thought the software would be
useful, but it was a Trojan Horse.
• It is a statement that appears to be self-
contradictory or silly but may include a
hidden truth.
• It is also used to illustrate an opinion or
statement contrary to accepted traditional
ideas.
• A paradox is often used to make a reader
think over an idea in innovative way.
• “You have to spend money to make
money.”
• “Slow and steady wins the race.”
• “The more you learn, the more you realize

how little you know.”
Oxymoron
• When two words are put together that
contradict each other. “Opposites”
• Jumbo Shrimp
• Pretty Ugly
• Freezer Burn
• In literature, apostrophe is
a figure of speech sometimes
represented by exclamation “O”.
• A writer or a speaker, using an
apostrophe detaches himself from
the reality and addresses an
imaginary character in his
speech.
Other examples of Apostrophe
• “Ugh, cell phone, why won’t you load my
messages?”
• “Oh, Starbucks, how I love you! Your

medium dark roast allowed me to survive
that meeting!”
Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
A word that “makes” a sound
• SPLAT
• PING
• SLAM
• POP
• POW
• DRIZZLE
• SPRAY
• SQUIRT
Idiom
A saying that isn’t meant to be taken literally.
It doesn’t “mean” what it says.
Examples:
• Don’t be a stick in the mud!
• You’re the apple of my eye.
• I have an ace up my sleeve.
Other examples of Idiom
• A chip on your shoulder - means you are

holding a grudge
• High as a kite - means you are drunk or on
drugs
• Sick as a dog - means you are very ill
• Rub someone the wrong way - meaning to
annoy or bother
Activity for the
Asynchronous Period
Activity Title: Activity 1.3. Understanding Figurative Language
Learning Target: I can give my own sample sentences/

statements for each figure of speech.
• Read the lecture on figurative language.
• Search or compose your own sample

sentences for each figure of speech.
• Write at least 2 examples/statements for

each.

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Figurative Language

The car is blue.

Figurative words figure out what it means.

I’ve got your back.

We use figures of speech in

A comparison must be made.

Not a Simile: I like pizza.

Simile: The moon is like a pizza.

All the world is a stage.

• The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the

• Her voice is music to his ears. (This implies that her

The sunlight danced.

• The Oval Office was busy in work.

• “Slow and steady wins the race.”

• “The more you learn, the more you realize

• “Oh, Starbucks, how I love you! Your

• A chip on your shoulder - means you are

Learning Target: I can give my own sample sentences/

• Read the lecture on figurative language.

• Search or compose your own sample

• Write at least 2 examples/statements for

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