FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE Developed by Linda Eder Hazelwood Central High School Teacher information 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. continue 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. Return to slide show 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. 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. Previous slide continue METAPHORS Like a simile, a metaphor also compares two dissimilar objects to create a picture in the reader’s 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 man’s skin was like corduroy,” while a metaphor might say “The old man’s skin was a piece of worn corduroy,” or “The old man’s corduroy skin…” “The old man’s skin was a piece of corduroy,” is an example of a direct metaphor. “The old man’s corduroy skin…” is an example of indirect metaphor. Previous page continue PERSONIFICATION Personification is a third type of figurative language. This is a very specialized comparison in which a nonhuman 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. Previous page continue Read the following excerpt from Stephen Vincent Benet’s “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. Previous slide continue 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, Review definitions With a tall green fir for her doctor grave And a stream for her comforting neighbor. continue Share your graphic organizers with your classmates. Previous slide continue Your graphic organizer should be similar to this: His fist was a Fist-hammer metaphor mighty hammer He was quick His speed-a simile on his feet as deer’s speed a funning deer With a tall Tree-doctor personification green tree for her doctor grave And a stream Tree-neighbor personification for her comforting continue Previous neighbor slide 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. Previous slide continue Did you notice that the figurative language reinforced the idea that the speaker’s 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. Previous slide continue 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. Previous slide continue I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er 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. Previous slide continue 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. Previous continue slide Share your findings with the class. Previous slide continue You should have found these figures of speech: •lonely as a cloud simile •daffodils…dancing 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? Return to beginning
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