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Language Types

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

figurative language

and literal language

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Figurative vs. LiteralTo understand what figurative language is,one needs to understand the difference between

figurative and literal

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I am directly stating what I mean.

To be literal is to state what you mean or mean what you say.

For example:If I tell you to, “Stop whining!” I mean it literally, “Stop whining.” as in “Stop whining and put a smile on your face, please.”

LET’S START WITHLITERAL

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I mean exactly what I stated.

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

This means “I’m tired and I’m goinghome.” There is no other meaning other than what is said.

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FIGURATIVE

I’m not suggesting we get into the freezer.

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

For example: If I tell you, “Let’s go chill,”

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It has nothing to do with temperature.

“Let’s go chill.”

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

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Literal vs. Figurative

Confused? Think of it this way:

Literal is stated directlyFigurative is imaginary

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Why Use 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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Figurative Language makes reading more interesting.

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

This figurative phrase compares Brian to a wall because __________.

a. He was a strong tennis player.b. He was very tall.c. He kept missing the balls.d. His body was made of cells.

LET’S PRACTICE!

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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

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

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This figurative phrase compares Cindy to a mule because she was __________.

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

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

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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

The poor rat didn’t have a chance. Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, caught his prey.

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The leaves danced in the wind.

Do leaves really dance? Of course not! Close your eyes and picture leaves

“dancing in the wind.” What do you see? Why do you think an author would

choose to use “dancing” to show what the leaves were doing?

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Never? That is a very long time. His

mom might want to have his hearing

checked. Never is an exaggeration.

It is figurative language, not literal.

He never listens to his mom.”

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Oh really? A ton is a thousand pounds. You would need to have big muscles and a HUGE backpack! This is figurative language.

We have a ton of homework.

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LET’S REVIEW

Literal vs. Figurative

Remember: Real vs. Imaginary