Figurative Language Cheat Sheet

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Figurative Language Cheat Sheet

• Figurative representative words, not literal (or
  real), meaning something else

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S.O.P.H.I.M.A.A

• This is an ACROYMN which means these letters
  stand for other words. We use this to help us
  remember all of the major types of figurative
  language
• Simile, Onomatopoeia, Personification, Hyperbole,
  Imagery, Metaphor, Alliteration
• Allusion is extra but very important

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Simile a comparison of two things using like,
as, or than

• Tip think of the word SIMILAR which means things
  that are almost the same so they can be compared

4
Onomatopoeia words that are the sounds they
spell out

• Tip think of how funny this word sounds when you
  read it aloud

5
Personification giving human characteristics to
non-human objects
Happy Sun
Sad Cloud
Talking Tree

• Tip think of the word person to help you remember

6
Imagery very detail descriptions that use the
five senses to describe an object paints a
picture in your head

• Tip think of the word imagination or image to
  remember that imagery paints a picture with words

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Metaphor a direct comparison of two things that
have similar characteristics in common
My love for you is an ocean, deep, powerful and
fantastic.
This means that the love felt for another is
strong and overpowering most people think the
ocean is the same way.

• Tip to recognize a metaphor or to write one
  think of an item that could represent something
  else if you were to have a list of things that
  described each item, most words should be the
  same.

8
Alliteration the repeating of the same sound in
the beginning of words in a series (usually the
same letter)

• Tip think of repeating letters and the word
  alliteration sounds like a- LETTER-ation

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Allusion mentioning of someone or something very
famous that most people know
Get it? We have to know about the Wicked Witch
of the West in order to know about this comic!

• Tip remember that ALL of US should know the
  famous people