FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

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FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

• Developed by
• Linda Eder
• Hazelwood Central High School

Teacher information
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This exercise is designed to reinforce the
concept of imagery in literature. In addition it
addresses the following strategies

• MAP Testing
• to identify examples of descriptive language on
  the Near Proficient level
• to interpret language using imagery Proficient
  level
• Show-Me standards, Communication Arts
• 2, reading and evaluating fiction, poetry and
  drama

• Show-Me Standards Goal 1
• comprehend and evaluate written, visual, and oral
  presentations and works.

• Show-Me Standards Goal 2
• review and revise communications to improve
  accuracy and clarity
• present perceptions and ideas regarding works of
  the arts, humanities and sciences.

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It is suggested that students keep a journal for
the writing prompts in each section. After time
has been allotted to complete these writing
prompts, the class should then discuss their
ideas. Students should read directly from their
journals, as this reinforces clear expression of
ideas.
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Figurative Language

• Figurative language is speech or written language
  that is not meant to be interpreted literally.
  It is used to project vivid impressions by
  creating comparisons between dissimilar things.
  Some frequently used figures of speech are
  metaphors, similes, and personifications.

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SIMILES One of the most frequently used figures
of speech is the simile. it is a comparison of
dissimilar things using the words like, as, or
than to link the images. For example, The wind
cut through his light sweater like knives,
chilling him to the bone, is an example of a
simile. The two objects being compared are the
wind and a knife to show how sharp the wind was.
These two ideas are joined by the word like.
Some similes are used so often that they are no
longer effective. These are called cliches. It
is important to avoid using cliches in your
writing.
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METAPHORS Like a simile, a metaphor also
compares two dissimilar objects to create a
picture in the readers mind. Unlike the simile,
the comparison is not directly stated, and the
words like, as, and then are not used. A simile
might state that The old mans skin was like
corduroy, while a metaphor might say The old
mans skin was a piece of worn corduroy, or The
old mans corduroy skin The old mans skin
was a piece of corduroy, is an example of a
direct metaphor. The old mans corduroy skin
is an example of indirect metaphor.
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PERSONIFICATION Personification is a third type
of figurative language. This is a very
specialized comparison in which a non-human
thing, idea, or emotion is given human
characteristics. The sun smiled on the children
as they gathered sticks is an example of
personification because the sun lacks facial
features and is incapable of smiling. Similarly,
Justice spread her arms over the defendant
gives human arms to the concept of justice.
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Read the following excerpt from Stephen Vincent
Benets The Ballad of William Sycamore Look
for examples of figurative language. Notice what
two things are being compared . Now in your
journal make a graphic organizer showing what
type of figurative language each example is and
what two things are being compared.
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from The Ballad of William Sycamore by Stephen
Vincent Benet My father, he was a
mountaineer, His fist was a knotty hammer He was
quick on his feet as a funning deer, And he spoke
with a Yankee stammer. My mother, she was merry
and brave, And so she came to her labor, With a
tall green fir for her doctor grave And a stream
for her comforting neighbor.
Review definitions
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Share your graphic organizers with your
classmates.
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Your graphic organizer should be similar to this
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In your journal, explain why the poet might have
chosen comparisons using deer, trees, and
streams. What effect do you think he was trying
to achieve? Share your answer with your
classmates.
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Did you notice that the figurative language
reinforced the idea that the speakers mother and
father live on the frontier, away from
civilization? All the comparisons had to do with
being a mountaineer, and being close to nature.
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Now look at the excerpt from the poem, I
Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, by William
Wordsworth.
Write the figures of speech that you find and
tell what types of figures of speech they are.
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I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high
oer vales and hills, When all at once I saw a
crowd, A host of golden daffodils Beside the
lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing
in the breeze.
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Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on
the milky way, They stretched in never-ending
line Along the margin of the bay Ten thousand
saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in
sprightly dance.
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Share your findings with the class.
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• You should have found these figures of speech
• lonely as a cloud simile
• daffodilsdancing in the breeze personification
• continuous as the stars that shine simile
• daffodils tossing their heads in sprightly
  dance personification

How do these figures of speech affect the mood of
the poem?
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