Figurative Figurative LanguageLanguage

. . . describing . . describing ordinary things ordinary things in extraordinary in extraordinary ways . . .ways . . .

SimileA comparison using

“like” or “as”

Her eyes were shining

like stars.

After the race, Bryan panted like a dog in hot weather.

METAPHORA direct comparison

which states that something is

another thing and does not use “like”

or “AS.”

The child’s smile was a ray of sunshine.

Her face seemed to be a firecracker, exploding with embarrassment.

ALLITERATION

The repetition of initial consonant sounds

The snake slithered silently through the open field.

The vulture soared silently, searching for prey.

HYPERBOLE

Using a very exaggerated statement for emphasis or effect

She cried an ocean of tears.

Last year, I received Valentines from millions of my friends.

PersonificationGiving human or

lifelike qualities to inanimate

(nonliving) or non-human things

The wind whistled through the trees.

The sun smiled happily at us all during the picnic.

IMAGERY

Using words which form a clear picture in the reader’s mind. . .

. . . Imagery words appeal to any of the senses: sight, touch, smell, etc.

Watch what happens when you include imagery in your writing. . .“The tired runner won the race.”becomes . .

.

Dripping with sweat, the runner dragged himself exhausted across the finish line. Every muscle throbbed as he slowly forced one foot in front of the other.

When he collapsed onto the rough pavement of the track, he suddenly heard the tumultuous roar of thousands of voices from the stands. Only then did he realize he had crossed the finish line first.

ONOMATOPOEIA

Using words which imitate

sounds

Quack

buzz

plop

zoomclick

snap

tick

pop

IDIOMAn expression whose whole meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words.

The homework was over his head.

(The homework was too hard.)

My little sister drives me up the wall sometimes.

(My little sister irritates me sometimes.)

She hit the nail on the head.

(She has the right answer.)

APOSTROPHE

Speaking to an absent person, place, or thing as if it were present.

O Summer! Why did you pass so quickly?

Oh Susan, why did you family have to move so far away?

BATHOSAn abrupt change from the grand, eloquent, and majestic to the ordinary or trivial.

He was filled with love, devotion . . .

. . .and a hunger for Pop-Tarts.

Allusion

• A reference to a person, place, and event or a literary work which a writer expects the reader to recognize and respond to. An allusion may be drawn from history, geography, literature, or religion

Connotation

• All the emotions and associations that a word or phrase may arouse

Denotation

• The literal or “dictionary” meaning of a word.