Language TypesWe’re going to look at two types of language:

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figurative language and literal language

Figurative vs. LiteralTo understand

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figurative language

figurative

one has to understand the difference between

and literal

More on Literal

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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.”

and more on Literal

I mean exactly what I say.4

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.

2nd Figurative

I’m not suggesting dogs are falling from the sky.

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

If, I tell you: “it is raining cats and dogs

Figurative continued

It has nothing to do with animals falling from the sky.

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“raining cats and dogs” …

…means it is raining really hard.

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 Language

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

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Ten Techniques of Figurative Language

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

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Ten Techniques of Figurative Language

You will need to:understand themidentify themuse them in your writing 10

Ten Techniques of Figurative LanguageThe ten techniques you need to know:

onomatopoeia alliteration simile metaphor personification 11

idiom hyperbole analogy allusion symbolism

Onomatopoeia

Examples of the onomatopoeia:Bang, went the gun!

Swoosh went the basketball through the hoop.

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Onomatopoeia

Words that suggest the sounds they describe.

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Alliteration

A poetic device which repeats the same beginning sound for effect. Examples of Alliteration:

   Sally Sells Seashells By The Sea Shore

   Rolling, Racing, Roaring, Rapids            

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Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of a beginning sound that is near one another.

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Simile

Examples of similes:She is like a rainy day.He is as busy as a bee.They are like two peas in a pod. 16

A simile is a figurative language technique where a comparison is made using like or as.

SimileA comparison of two unlike things, using “like or “as”

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MetaphorA poetic comparison that does not use the words like or as. Examples of metaphors:She is a graceful swan.He is a golden god.They are honey from the honeycomb.

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Metaphor

Implied comparison of two things not using like or as

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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 if

Tammy 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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Personification

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Personification is when human characteristics given to an object, animal, or idea

Personification

The leaves danced in the wind 23

Examples of personification:

The heat ripped the breath from her lungs.

Personification

Examples of Personification:

Hunger sat shivering on the road

Flowers danced about the lawn. 24

IdiomAn idiom is a figurative language technique that does not mean what is being said. It cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words.

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Idiom

The expression “chill,” is an idiom that means: relax, take it easy or don’t worry. There are tons of idioms. I’m sure you use several all the time, without thinking about it.

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IdiomsMore examples of idioms:We were chewing the fat.It’s raining cats and dogs. She’s as sharp as a tack.

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Hyperbole

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• Truth exaggerated to

make a point, contains

no comparison

Hyperbole

“He never speaks to her.”Never? That is a very long time.Hyperbole means to exaggerates.

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Take for example:

Hyperbole

•We have a ton of work.

A ton is a lot of work. A ton is also a thousand pounds.

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Hyperbole example:

AnalogyComparison between two things used to explain or clarify

Similes and metaphors are examples of analogies

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Analogy Examples

You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard. You must be pretty annoying for someone to say that.

I am going to be toast when I get home. This is usually said when someone is in trouble with their significant other. 

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Allusion Direct or indirect

reference to another piece of literature, movie, history, etc.

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Allusion Examples “I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio’s.” This refers

to the story of Pinocchio, where his nose grew whenever he told a lie. It is from The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo Collodi. 

“When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and refused to buy anything that wasn’t necessary.” Scrooge was an extremely stingy character from Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol. 

“I thought the software would be useful, but it was a Trojan Horse.” This refers to the horse that the Greeks built that contained all the soldiers. It was given as a gift to the enemy during the Trojan War and, once inside the enemy's walls, the soldiers broke out. By using trickery, the Greeks won the war.

“He was a real Romeo with the ladies.” Romeo was a character in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, and was very romantic in expressing his love for Juliet.

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Symbolism A person, place, object

that represents an idea beyond itself

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Symbolism Example

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•In Shakespeare’s As you Like It, ‘stage’ symbolizes the world and ‘players’ symbolize men and women:All the world’s a stage,And all the men and women merely players;they have their exits and their entrances;And one man in his time plays many parts,

In the movie trilogy Star Wars, Luke was dressed in light colors and Darth Vader was dressed in black, showing good vs evil

State Content Standards for 8th

Grade Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate TextRecognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.

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