Figurative Language
Read the definitions below to further your understanding of each type of figurative language. STAAR will ask you to analyze why the piece of figurative language was used.
Example:
Tony couldn't help but feel saddened and deeply confused. His whole world had changed in one day. To him, it was as if he had fallen asleep on planet Earth and he work up on Mars.How was he going to get through these big changes?
Question: The author uses a simile to emphasize the idea that Tony---
a. Feels as though his life has changed dramatically
b. is deeply saddened about space travel.
c. is upset with his friends for changing his life.
d. is going to visit Mars.
What did you guess? The answer: A
The list below will help you be able to IDENTIFY the figurative language. You must be able to analyze and understand WHY it is being used.
Example:
Tony couldn't help but feel saddened and deeply confused. His whole world had changed in one day. To him, it was as if he had fallen asleep on planet Earth and he work up on Mars.How was he going to get through these big changes?
Question: The author uses a simile to emphasize the idea that Tony---
a. Feels as though his life has changed dramatically
b. is deeply saddened about space travel.
c. is upset with his friends for changing his life.
d. is going to visit Mars.
What did you guess? The answer: A
The list below will help you be able to IDENTIFY the figurative language. You must be able to analyze and understand WHY it is being used.
Literary DevicesHyperbole: an extreme exaggeration
Ex. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse! Personification: giving human-like qualities to non-living things Ex. The sun kissed my cheeks. Contradictions: statements that go against each other Oxymoron: an expression with contradictory words Example: Wise Fool Example: Legal Murder Irony: when an opposite event happens than what is expected; humor based on opposites or contradictions Example: a traffic cop getting arrested for unpaid parking tickets SIMILE: a comparison between two things using the words “Like” or “as” Example: Her smile is like the sun, it can light up the sky. METAPHOR: a comparison between two things using the words “Is” and “are”, Also uses the word "OF" Example: You are the rock on which I stand. Example: "... Watching little dark clouds forming in her mental sky." - Quote from Martin Luther King Example: The long, dark night of slavery is now over. |
Sound DevicesALLITERATION Repeating the consonant before a word Ex. Mary made me mash my M&Ms. ASSONANCE Repeating the same vowel sound within words that end differently Ex. Knees Weak Ex. Brown Cow Ex. Glowing Boat ANAPHORA Repeating a phrase at the beginning of a sentence or clause; used to emphasize someting I will not eat them with a mouse. I will not eat them in a house. I will not eat green eggs and ham. I will not eat them, Sam I am. To review SIMILES, METAPHORS and PERSONFICIATION view this powerpoint: http://www.pennsmanor.org/Elementary%20Main/elementary_main_files/Microsoft%20PowerPoint%20-%204_5_LPSR_FigurativeLang.ppt%20[Read-Only]%20[Compatibility%20M.pdf |