Figurative Language Definitions

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Figurative LanguageDefinitions

• GLE 0501.8.4 Recognize and understand basic
  literary terms (e.g., simile, metaphor, setting,
  point of view, alliteration, onomatopoeia).
• 0501.8.14 Know and use basic literary devices
  (e.g., imagery, metaphor, simile,
  personification, hyperbole).
• SPI 0501.8.7 Identify similes, metaphors,
  personification, and hyperbole in context.
• SPI 0501.8.8 Identify the effect of sound within
  context (i.e., onomatopoeia, alliteration,
• rhythm, rhyme, repetition).

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Figurative Language Terms

• alliteration
• assonance
• hyperbole
• idiom
• imagery
• irony

• metaphor
• onomatopoeia
• personification
• simile
• symbolism

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alliteration  

• the repetition of consonant sounds within words
  in a sentence or phrase
• Example Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled
  peppers.

4
assonance

• the repetition of a vowel sound         
• Example The sound of the hound was bound to make
  me crazy.

5
hyperbole 

• an obvious and intentional exaggeration
• Example I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

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idiom

• Phrase where the words together have a different
  meaning than the dictionary definitions of the
  individual words
• Example Its raining cats and dogs. On cloud
  nine.

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imagery

• use of vivid or figurative language to represent
  objects, actions, or ideas and appealing to all
  five senses

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irony

• Something that is unexpected       
• Example You want your brother to get in trouble,
  but you get in trouble instead.

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metaphor

• a comparison between two unlike things using the
  verb to be. Metaphors are similar to similes
  BUT dont use like or as.        
• Example Her face is an open book.

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onomatopoeia

• a word that imitates the sound that it makes. It
  says the sound.      
• Example  Crack!  Boom!  Blam!

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personification 

• giving human qualities to something that is
• not human       
• Example The trees danced in the wind.

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simile

•  comparison of two unlike things using either the
  word like or as        
• Example Her face is like an open book.

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symbolism

• Something that represents or stands for something
  else.        
• Example A dove is a symbol of peace.