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Figurative Language -Literally!

In this introduction to figurative language, you will learn to see text on two levels, the literal and the figurative creating new meaning.

For instructions and guidance throughout the lessons, click on the audio button.

Choose whether you need to begin with level 1 (Identify), level 2 (Analyze) or level 3 (Create).

In each level complete the activities for similes, metaphors, and personification before the assessment.
Ask for help from Mrs. Peterson when you need it! Goal: By the time you finish this course, you will be able to identify similes, metaphors, and personification, analyze text that uses those devices and create your own complex text using the devices yourself!

Getting Started

For instructions and guidance throughout the lesson, click on the audio button.

"The pen is mightier than the sword," the fountain pen taunted as it gleamed like a dagger waiting to be grasped and thrust into the heart of my topic. The weapon willed me to pick it up, brandish it in the air, and attack the essay with all the rhetorical devices in my arsenal.
The pen gleamed like a dagger The weapon (pen) Metaphor

Simile

The pen taunted and the weapon willed Personification

Simile
a comparison between two seemingly unlike things or ideas using the words like or as

Life is like a roller coaster.

Life

Meaning
Ups and downs thrilling

Roller coaster

Literal

Figurative

Simile
a comparison between two seemingly unlike things or ideas using the words like or as

Chris was as fast as the wind on that bike.

Chris

Meaning
Very fast Seemingly invisible

The wind

Literal

Figurative

Simile
a comparison between two seemingly unlike things or ideas using the words like or as

The puppy slept like a log.

Meaning

Very still heavily

Literal
Click on the green boxes for the answers!

Figurative

Simile
a comparison between two seemingly unlike things or ideas using the words like or as
Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are Up above the world so high; like a diamond in the sky!

Meaning

Literal

Figurative

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/twinkle.htm

Simile Quiz in each pair of phrases below, choose the simile

A A That idea is as old as time itself. He is very strong. B B I like old ideas! He is built like a tank.

Her eyes are bright blue.

Her eyes gleamed like diamonds in the sun.

That family is as poor as dirt, but they are as happy as clams. B

That family has very little, but they are happy anyway!

I missed at least one. I need to review similes.

I got them all correct! I am ready to move to metaphors!

Metaphor
a comparison of two seemingly unlike things or ideas without a term of comparison (like, as) Jaques: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,His acts being seven ages.As You Like It Act 2, scene 7, 139143

Literal terms: world, men and women Figurative terms: stage, players Shakespeare Meaning: The lives of people on the earth are compared to actors on a stage. We all have different stages in our lives (acts). We come and go (entrances and exits) in and out of others lives. We perform our parts (complete the tasks of our lives) before an audience (others around us) before our final exit (death).
http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/all-world-s-stage

Metaphor
a comparison of two seemingly unlike things or ideas without a term of comparison (like, as)

That test was a piece of cake.

Test
Literal

Meaning

Sweet Easy

Piece of Cake
Figurative

Metaphor
a comparison of two seemingly unlike things or ideas without a term of comparison (like, as)

Reading that book kindled my interest in politics.

Reading that book

Meaning
Starting a fire Beginning something new

Wood kindling (sticks, twigs)

Literal

Figurative

Metaphor
a comparison of two seemingly unlike things or ideas without a term of comparison (like, as)
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. Youll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please dont take my sunshine away.

Meaning
Brighten my day Make me happy

Literal

Figurative

Metaphor
a comparison of two seemingly unlike things or ideas without a term of comparison (like, as) Time Is MoneyYesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have, so spend it wisely.(Kay Lyons)

Meaning

Literal

Figurative

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/kay_lyons/

Simile and Metaphor Quiz

Identify each example as either a simile or a metaphor. 1. Baking is as easy as ABC. 2. Peter laughs like a hyena. Answer Answer Answer Answer

3. Education is your passport to success. 4. My brothers and I fought like cats and dogs. 5. Sally and Jane are two peas in a pod.

Missed 4-10 Need to review Similes and Metaphors

Answer

6. The ice-covered lake is as smooth as glass. 7. My husband is a baby when he is sick.

Answer

Missed 1-3 Need to review Metaphors

Answer Answer 100% Correct!Ready for Personification

8. The boys attacked the pizza like ravenous wolves.

9. Mrs. Smith, the slave-driver, presented her list of tortures for Answer the semester in the form of a syllabus. 8. The lawyer grilled the witness on the stand. Answer

Personification
A figure of speech in which one gives human qualities to something non-human.
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD(Watty Piper)
A little steam engine had a long train of cars to pull. She went along very well till she came to a steep hill. But then, no matter how hard she tried, she could not move the long train of cars. She pulled and she pulled. She puffed and she puffed. She backed and started off again. Choo! Choo! But no! the cars would not go up the hill. At last she left the train and started up the track alone. Do you think she had stopped working? No, indeed! She was going for help. "Surely I can find someone to help me," she thought

The little steam engine, although an object, is given human qualities. It is given the pronoun she. The engine is given the ability to think and reason. It is also given the ability to speak. This is personification.

http://ah_coo.tripod.com/engine_that_could.htm

Personification
A figure of speech in which one gives human qualities to something non-human.

When opportunity is knocking, open the door!

opportunity

Meaning
Is available Wants to come in Needs to be invited

Person knocking on a closed door

Literal

Figurative

Personification
A figure of speech in which one gives human qualities to something non-human.

The baseball screamed all the way into the outfield.

Meaning
Hit very hard In pain Scared of flying

Literal

Figurative

Personification
A figure of speech in which one gives human qualities to something non-human.

The flowers waltzed in the gentle breeze.

Meaning

Literal

Figurative

Review Sites
Grammar: Quick and Dirty Tips Similes and Metaphors

English Shorts: Similie, Metaphor, Personification

BrainPOP Simile and Metaphor

Move to Final Assessment in Lesson 1: Identify

Identify Introduction