FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - Sikeston R-6

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.
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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.
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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
Review
definitions
With a tall green fir for her doctor grave
And a stream for her comforting neighbor.
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Share your graphic organizers with
your classmates.
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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
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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
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.
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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 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.
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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
•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?
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