Figurative

Presentation on theme: "Figurative"— Presentation transcript:

FigurativeLanguage

Day

1

Simile

DefinitionA comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as.Examples:His feet were as big as boats.She dances like a princess. Purpose Makes it easier for a reader to understand the subject matter by comparing it to something else.

Metaphor

DefinitionA comparison of two unlike things describing one as if it were the other.Does not use like or as.Examples:Her hair is silk.She is a graceful swan.Purpose Makes it easier for a reader to understand the subject matter by comparing it to something else.

Simile and Metaphor Practice

For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or metaphor. Write “S” next to the Similes and “M” next to the metaphors.

The assignment was a breeze.

Her voice is music to his ears.

Our soldiers are as brave as lions.

Jim was boiling mad.

Her cheeks are red like a rose.

Simile and Metaphor Practice

For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or metaphor. Write “S” next to the Similes and “M” next to the metaphors.

The assignment was a breeze. (M)

Her voice is music to his ears. (M)

Our soldiers are as brave as lions. (S)

Jim was boiling mad. (M)

Her cheeks are red like a rose.

(S)

Hyperbole

DefinitionAn exaggeration Examples:My date last night was the most beautiful girl in the world.My backpack weighs a ton!I told you to clean your room a million times!Purpose To make feelings seem more intense.To emphasize a point for an amusing effect.

Hyperbole Practice

As a group, come up with one hyperbole about homework.

Alliteration

DefinitionRepeated sounds occurring at the beginning of wordsThis should be used intentionally, not coincidentallyExamples:But a better butter makes a batter better.Circe sat near the silent sea.Purpose Creates a musical effect in the text that enhances the pleasure of reading.

Alliteration Practice

Write two sentences that use

alliteration.

One sentence must use

your name.

One sentence must use an

animal.

Personification

DefinitionHuman characteristics are given to nonhuman things.Examples:The leaves danced in the wind.The mountain held the clouds on its shoulders. Purpose To bring inanimate things to life, so that their nature and actions are understood in a better way.

Personification Practice

Create one example of personification about a computer.

Create one example of personification using a tree.

Idiom

DefinitionAn expression that means something other than its actual words. You don’t take the words literally. It doesn’t quite mean what it saysExamples:It’s raining cats and dogs. = It’s raining really hardI heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. = Sally got up on the wrong side of the bed! =Purpose Convey complex ideas in a few wordsEnsure the understanding of a listener

Idiom Practice

Identify one example of an idiom and explain what it means literally.

Cliché

Definition:

An

overused

expression.

Examples

:

“Everything happens for a reason.”

“Love conquers all.”

Purpose

Convey

complex

ideas in a few words

Ensure the understanding of a

listener

Cliché-Practice

Think of one cliché involving moneyThink of one cliché involving love/relationshipsThink of one cliché involving looks/beauty

Cliché vs. Idiom

Clichés that ARE idiomsClichés that ARE NOT idiomsIdioms that ARE NOT cliché Think outside the boxSee the glass half fullLove is blindFall head over heelsMoney doesn’t grow on treesOnly time will tellLost track of timeGood riddancePlay our cards rightEvery cloud has its silver lining.

An idiom CAN be a cliché, but not necessarily.

Some idioms

have been used so much that they have become cliché.

Not ALL clichés are idioms, and not all idioms are cliché.

Allusion

Definition:

A brief

reference

to a person, place, or event of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.

Does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers.

The writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance.

Often explained in the

foot notes.

Examples

:

Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her (Allusion to “Romeo and Juliet”) = don’t act so romantic

I think your nose is growing (allusion to “Pinocchio”) = you are lying.

Purpose

Enables a writer to

simplify

complex ideas and emotions.

Allusion - Practice

Complete the chart below by explaining a situation in which the allusion would be used.

Allusion

Situation

Ex:

“May the force be with you”

When a teacher passes

out a test

to students.

1

“He is like the

Hulk.”

2

“Don’t be a

Scrooge”

Day 2

Imagery

Definition:

Language that appeals to a reader’s sense of

sight

,

hearing

, smell,

taste

,

or touch.

Helps a reader

visualize

Examples:

“The lake was icy blue.

The

only sound that could be heard was the chirping of distant birds. The air was cool and crisp on my skin and I could see my breath in the morning air

.”

Purpose

:

allows

an author

to express

thoughts more

vividly

or

to bring out

emotions

in readers

Imagery-Practice

Work with your group to describe the classroom using your five senses

Oxymoron

Definition

An expression in which

two

contradictory

words

appear

side by side

Often

, at least

one

word’s meaning cannot be taken

literally

.

Examples:

Jumbo Shrimp

Working Vacation

Small Crowd

Purpose

Create an

ironic

sense

of humor

Emphasize certain qualities or ideas

Confuse

the reader

Oxymoron-Practice

With your group, explain how each of these are examples of oxymorons. 1. Plastic glasses2. Minor crisis3. Unbiased OpinionThen-write two of your own oxymorons

Paradox

Definition

A

statement

that seems to

contradict

itself, but may be

true

.

Examples:

“No one goes to that restaurant because it is overcrowded.”

“Don’t go near the water ‘til you have learned how to swim.”

Purpose

a

ttracts the reader’s

attention

and gives

emphasis

c

reates an

unusual

thought or visual image with words

c

onveys a tone of

irony

Paradox-Practice

Explain how each of the each of the following represents a paradox:The man who wrote such a stupid sentence cannot write at all“Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” –Gandhi

Paradox vs. Oxymoron

Paradox

A statement

Seen as a thought or logic gameExample:“This statement is false.”You have to be cruel to be kind.

OxymoronTwo wordsExample:Awfully goodAlone together

Both

Contradictory (seem like opposites)

Pun

Definition

A

humorous

play on words

which suggests

multiple

meanings

Examples:

“Where do pancakes live? In a flat!”

“I used to be a baker but I didn’t make enough dough.”

“Seven days without pizza makes one weak.”

Purpose

amusement

reinforce

meaning

Pun-Practice

With your group, explain how the third example is a pun.-“Where do pancakes live? In a flat!”-“I used to be a baker, but I didn’t make enough dough.” -“Seven days without pizza makes one weak.”Write your own pun!

Assonance

Definition:

Repeated

vowel

sounds within

words.

The author does this

intentionally

, not on accident.

Examples:

Some sh

i

p in d

i

stress that cannot l

i

ve.

W

ea

r it h

e

re and th

e

re and everywh

e

re.

Purpose

Improves the

rhythm

and flow of a poem

Forces the reader to pay attention to certain words

Engages a reader’s attention

Assonance-Practice

Write two examples of assonance. One of the two must not rhyme!

Consonance

Definition:

Repetition of

consonant

sounds within or at the end of words

The author does this

intentionally

, not on accident.

Examples:

“But the fathe

r

neve

r

answe

r

ed a wo

r

d.

“We pa

ssed

the la

st

tree.”

Purpose

Improves the rhythm and flow of a poem

Forces the reader to pay attention to certain words

Engages a reader’s attention

Consonance-Practice

Write two sentences that use consonance. One may not rhyme!

Assonance and Consonance Practice

For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or metaphor. Write “A” next to the example of assonance and “C” next to the example of consonance.

We light the fire on the mountain.

I feel depressed and restless.

The ship has sailed to the far off shores.

The engineer held the steering wheel.

And yet we knew that gentle clock meant

nought

.

Assonance and Consonance Practice

For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or metaphor. Write “A” next to the example of assonance and “C” next to the example of consonance.

We light the fire on the mountain. (A)

I feel depressed and restless. (C & A)

The ship has sailed to the far off shores. (C)

The engineer held the steering wheel. (C & A)

And yet we knew that gentle clock meant

nought

. (C)

Euphemism

Definition:An idiomatic expression which replaces words and phrases considered to be harsh or impolite.Eu = GoodExamples: “Kick the bucket” is a euphemism for death.“Downsizing” is a euphemism for firing someone.Purpose To make a harsh or impolite word or phrase sound more polite or proper.

Euphemism Practice

Identify a euphemism for “going to the bathroom.”

Rhetorical Question

Definition:A question asked just for effect or to emphasize a point when no real answer is expected. May have an obvious answer.Examples: “To be or not to be?”“It’s too hot today, isn’t it?”Purpose Often used in persuasive speeches to emphasize a point.

Rhetorical Question Practice

Identify another example (besides a persuasive speech) where someone would use a rhetorical question.

Think about the purpose – to emphasize a point.

Who would likely use this and when would they use this?