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Language TypesLanguage Types

We’re going to look at two types of language:

figurative language

and literal language

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Figurative vs. LiteralFigurative vs. LiteralTo understand

figurative language

figurative

one has to understand the difference between

and literal

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More on LiteralMore on Literal

My meaning is exactly what I say.

To be literal is to mean what you say. For example:If I tell you to sit down, I mean it literally: “sit down,” as in: “sit in your seat now, please.”

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and more on Literaland more on Literal

I mean exactly what I say.

Here’s another example.I’m tired and going home.

This means “I’m tired and I’m going home” there is no other meaning other than what is said.

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22ndnd Figurative Figurative

I’m not suggesting we get into the freezer.

To be figurative is to not mean what you say but imply something else. For example:

If, I tell you: “let’s go chill!”

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Figurative continuedFigurative continued

It has nothing to do with temperature.

“let’s go chill” …

…means let’s relax together and do something fun.

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Figurative vs. LiteralFigurative vs. Literal

Confused?

Think of it this way:

Literal as exactly what you mean.

Figurative as meaning something else.

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Why Figurative Language? Why Figurative Language?

Also known as descriptive language, or poetic language, figurative language helps the writer paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

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Again: Figurative LanguageAgain: Figurative Language

Figurative Language does not always mean what is being said or read, but serves to make it more interesting.

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Six Techniques of Six Techniques of Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

There are six techniques that we’re going to look at, and yes, you’ll need to learn all six.

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Six Techniques of Six Techniques of Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

You will need to:understand themidentify themuse them in your writing

Types of Figurative Types of Figurative LanguageLanguage

SimileMetaphorAlliterationPersonificationHyperboleOnomatopoeia

S.M.A.P.H.O.

SimileSimileA figure of speech that compares

two unlike things, using the words like or as.

Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are as strong as iron bands.

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SimileSimile

More examples of similes:She is like a rainy day.He is as busy as a bee.They are like two peas in a pod.The metal twisted like a ribbon.

Important!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.

MetaphorMetaphorA figure of speech that compares two

unlike things without using like or as. You simply state one thing is another thing.

Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped through the dessert.

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MetaphorMetaphor

More examples of metaphors:She is a graceful swan.He is a golden god.They are honey from the honeycomb.

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Brian was a wall, bouncing everytennis ball back over the net.

This metaphor compares Brian to a wall because __________.a. He was very strong.b. He was very tall.c. He kept returning the balls.d. His body was made of cells.

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We would have had more pizza to eat ifTammy hadn’t been such a hog.

Tammy was being compared to a hog because she __________.

a. looked like a hog b. ate like a hogc. smelled like a hogd. was as smart as a hog

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Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’tget her to change her mind.

The metaphor compares Cindy to a mule because she was __________.

a. always eating oatsb. able to do hard workc. raised on a farmd. very stubborn

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The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught his prey.The cat was compared to a bolt of lightning because he was _______.

a. very fast b. very brightc. not fond of fleas d. very old

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Even a child could carry my dog,Dogface, around for hours. He’ssuch a feather.

This metaphor implies that Dogface:a. is not cute b. looks like a birdc. is not heavy d. can fly

AlliterationAlliterationRepeated consonant sounds occurring at

the beginning of words or within words.

Example: She was wide-eyed and wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

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AlliterationAlliteration

More examples of alliteration:   Sally Sells Seashells By The Sea

Shore   Rolling, Racing, Roaring,

Rapids            

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AlliterationAlliteration  Tongue twisters are generally alliterations. For example:  Busy batters bat baseballs by bases.

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

PersonificationPersonification

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a human to non-human things (an animal, an object, or an idea).

Example: “The wind yells while blowing."

The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.

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PersonificationPersonification

The leaves danced in the wind

More examples of personification:

The heat ripped the breath from her lungs.

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PersonificationPersonification

Hunger sat shivering on the road.

The streets are calling me.Flowers danced about the lawn.The water on the lake shivered.

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PersonificationPersonificationThe sleeping water reflected the

evening sky. Humidity breathed in the girl's

face and ran its greasy fingers through her hair.

The tree arrested the oncoming car.

HyperboleHyperboleAn exaggerated statement used to impress

or stress something. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point.

Example: She’s said so on several million occasions.

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HyperboleHyperbole

“He never speaks to her.”

Never? That is a very long time.

Hyperbole means to exaggerate.

Take for example:

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HyperboleHyperbole

• We have a ton of work.

A ton is a lot of work. A ton is

also two thousand pounds.

Hyperbole example:

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HyperboleHyperbole

• I ate two thousand pounds of pasta.

Two thousand pounds is also known

as a ton, this person must be really

obese.

Hyperbole example:

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HyperboleHyperbole

• I told you a million times.

I don’t mind repeating myself, but

a million times? That’s a lot.

Hyperbole example:

OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeiaThe use of words that mimic sounds.

Example: The firecracker made a loud ka-boom!

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OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

The formation or use of words such as buzz, murmur or boo that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.

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OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

Examples of the onomatopoeia:Bang, went the gun!

Swoosh went the basketball

through the hoop.

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Onomatopoeia in practiceOnomatopoeia in practice

Onomatopoeia is the use of words whose sounds make you think of their meanings. 

For example; buzz, thump, pop.

Many comic strips use onomatopoeia. 

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OnomatopoeiaOnomatopoeia

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We’ve looked atWe’ve looked at

Literal vs. Figurative

Remember:

Real vs. Imaginary

Figurative Language ResourcesFigurative Language ResourcesEye on Idioms (Online PPT)Paint by Idioms (Game)Alliteration or Simile? (Quiz)Similes and Metaphors (PPT)The Search for Similes, Metaphors, and Idioms (PPT) Alliteration (PPT)Onomatopoeia (PPT)Personification (PPT)Hyperbole  (PPT)Idioms (PPT)Simile (PPT)

Teaching Similes and Metaphors Alliteration Lesson Plan and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/1allitera.htm Hyperbole- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/10lesson.htm Idiom Lesson Plan

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/6lesson.htm Imagery- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/imagery2.htm Lesson Plan for Puns

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/5lesson.htm Onomatopoeia- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/9lesson.htm Personification Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/7lesson.htm Proverbs- Lesson Plans and Resources

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/proverbs2.htm