What is it?
Figurative language uses figures of speech to be more effective, persuasive, and impactful.
A figure of speech suggests or calls attention to something without being too obvious.
Why use Figurative Language?
Engage/interest your readers.
Give your writing a more creative tone.
Practice using new vocabulary.
5 main types of Figurative Language
-Symbolism.
(These are just a few of the many kinds of figurative language that there are.)
Metaphor:
A figure of speech that is used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but have something in common.
Comparison is usually made by stating something is something else.
Examples:
Her tears were a river flowing down her cheeks.
The stormy ocean was a raging bull.
The classroom is a sauna today.
Similes:
Similes are another way to compare two different things, using the words like or as.
Examples:
Her tears flowed like a river down her cheeks.
The stormy ocean was like a raging bull.
The classroom is as hot as a sauna today.
Personification
when you give an object or an animal-human behaviors or qualities
Why do we use it?
To grab the reader’s attention
To make writing more interesting
To give more detail
Examples:
The little dog laughed to see such fun.
My alarm yelled at me this morning.
Lightning danced across the sky.
Hyperbole
A figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or show emphasis.
Why do we use it?
To show humor or amusement
to catch the reader's attention
To emphasize a point
Examples:
-This game is taking forever.
-I’ve told you to clean your room a million times!
-The car went faster than the speed of light
Hyperboles are NOT direct comparisons, like similes and metaphors.
They are extravagant and even ridiculous overstatements NOT meant to be taken literally.
gracias!