Figurative Language
Simile
Uses the words “like” or “as” to compare one object or idea with another to suggest they are alike.
Busy as a Bee
Similes
float like a butterfly
sting like a bee
sweet as honey
slow as molasses
Metaphor
States a fact or draws a verbal picture by the use of comparison. It says you ARE something>
You are what you eat.
Metaphors
your room is a disaster
the teacher planted seeds of wisdom
clouds sailed across the sky
Personification
Human characteristics are given to an animal or object.
My teddy bear gave me a hug.
Personification
the wind whispered
the cheeseburger called out to him “take a bite”
birds sang a lovely song
Hyperbole
An exaggeration that is so dramatic that no one would believe the statement is true. Tall tales are hyperboles.
Example: He was so hungry, he ate that whole cornfield for lunch, stalks and all.
Hyperbole
the weekend will never come
class was taking forever
she has a million pairs of shoes
Understatement
Expression with less strength than expected.
The opposite of hyperbole.
I’ll be there in one second.
This won’t hurt a bit.
Understatement
you won’t feel a thing
Idioms
Expressions that don’t literally mean what the words say
Example: You’re driving me up a wall
Idioms
a blessing in disguise
a dime a dozen
a piece of cake
Alliteration
The repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words. Alliteration includes tongue twisters.
Example: She sells seashells by the seashore.
Alliteration
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Yesterday, you yelled “YES!”
Onomatopoeia
The use of a word to describe or imitate a natural sound or the sound made by an object or an action.
Example: snap crackle pop
Onomatopoeia
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