Figurative Language - Robert Frost Junior High

Definition
› A 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.

Definition
› A 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.

For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or
metaphor. Write “S” next to the Similes and “M” next to the
metaphors.
1. The assignment was a breeze.
2. Her voice is music to his ears.
3. Our soldiers are as brave as lions.
4. Jim was boiling mad.
5. Her cheeks are red like a rose.
For each example below, identify whether it is a simile or
metaphor. Write “S” next to the Similes and “M” next to the
metaphors.
1. The assignment was a breeze. (M)
2. Her voice is music to his ears. (M)
3. Our soldiers are as brave as lions. (S)
4. Jim was boiling mad. (M)
5. Her cheeks are red like a rose. (S)



Definition
› An 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.
As a group, come up with one hyperbole about
homework.
Definition
› Repeated sounds occurring at the beginning of
words
› This should be used intentionally, not
coincidentally
 Examples:
› 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.

Write two sentences that use alliteration.
› One sentence must use your name.
› One sentence must use an animal.
Definition
› Human 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.

1. Create one example of personification about a
computer.
2. Create one example of personification using a
tree.
Definition
› An expression that means something other than its
actual words.
› You don’t take the words literally.
› It doesn’t quite mean what it says
 Examples:
› It’s raining cats and dogs. = It’s raining really hard
› I 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 words
• Ensure the understanding of a listener

Identify one example of an idiom and explain what
it means literally.
 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
1. Think of one cliché involving money
2. Think of one cliché involving love/relationships
3. Think of one cliché involving looks/beauty
•
•
•
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.
Clichés that ARE idioms
• Think outside the
box
• See the glass half
half full
• Love is blind
• Fall head over
heels
Clichés that ARE NOT
idioms
• Money doesn’t
grow on trees
• Only time will tell
• Lost track of time
time
Idioms that ARE NOT
cliché
• Good riddance
• Play our cards
right
• Every cloud has its
its silver lining.
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.

Complete the chart below by explaining a situation in
which the allusion would be used.
Ex:
1
2
Allusion
Situation
“May the force
be with you”
“He is like the
Hulk.”
“Don’t be a
Scrooge”
When a teacher passes
out a test to students.
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
 Work
with your group to
describe the classroom using
your five senses
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
 With your group, explain how
each of these are examples of
oxymorons.
1. Plastic glasses
2. Minor crisis
3. Unbiased Opinion
 Then-write two of your own
oxymorons

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
•
•
•
•
attracts the reader’s attention and gives emphasis
creates an unusual thought or visual image with
words
conveys a tone of irony
Explain how each of the each of the following
represents a paradox:
1. The man who wrote such a stupid sentence
cannot write at all
2. “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is
very important that you do it.” –Gandhi
Oxymoron
Paradox
• A statement
• Seen as a
thought or logic
game
Both
• Two words
Contradictory • Example:
(seem like
o Awfully
opposites)
good
• Example:
o Alone
o “This statement is
together
false.”
o You have to be
cruel to be kind.
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

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!
Definition:
› Repeated vowel sounds within words.
› The author does this intentionally, not on
accident.
 Examples:
› Some ship in distress that cannot live.
› Wear it here and there and everywhere.
• Purpose
• Improves the rhythm and flow of a poem
• Forces the reader to pay attention to certain
words
• Engages a reader’s attention

 Write
two examples of
assonance. One of the two must
not rhyme!
Definition:
› Repetition of consonant sounds within or at
the end of words
› The author does this intentionally, not on
accident.
 Examples:
› “But the father never answered a word.
› “We passed the last tree.”
• Purpose

•
•
•
Improves the rhythm and flow of a poem
Forces the reader to pay attention to certain
words
Engages a reader’s attention
 Write
two sentences that use
consonance. One may not rhyme!
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.
1. We light the fire on the mountain.
2. I feel depressed and restless.
3. The ship has sailed to the far off shores.
4. The engineer held the steering wheel.
5. And yet we knew that gentle clock meant nought.
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.
1. We light the fire on the mountain. (A)
2. I feel depressed and restless. (C & A)
3. The ship has sailed to the far off shores. (C)
4. The engineer held the steering wheel. (C & A)
5. And yet we knew that gentle clock meant nought. (C)
Definition:
› An idiomatic expression which
replaces words and phrases
considered to be harsh or impolite.
› Eu = Good
 Examples:
› “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.

Identify
a euphemism
for “going to the
bathroom.”
 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.
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

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