Mastering Figurative Language: Metaphors, Similes, Alliterations, and Personification

Figurative Language- Elements of Style English

Metaphors What is a metaphor??? A metaphor is a comparison that shows how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Metaphors are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.

Examples of Metaphors Mrs. Keyes is a walking textbook for social studies information! Our old cat, a bolt of lightning, always caught it s prey. The drummer was a beast and played with so much energy.

Simile vs. Metaphor UNLIKE similes, which use the words as or like to make a comparison, METAPHORS STATE THAT SOMETHING IS SOMETHING ELSE. If Johnny wasn t such a hog, we would have more pizza.

Simile Simile a comparison between two things that are basically dissimilar using like or as to make the comparison. Example: My papa s hair is like a broom.

Skill 2: Alliterations

Alliteration Alliteration occurs when a series of words in a row (or close to a row) have the same first consonant sound. For example, She sells sea- shells down by the sea-shore or Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers are both alliterative phrases

Alliteration Examples Jesse s jaguar is jumping and jiggling jauntily. Walter walked wearily while wondering where Wally was. Mike s microphone made much music. Ralph s reindeer rose rapidly and ran round the room.

Personification Personification is a figure of speech in which a thing, an idea or an animal is given human attributes. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they have the ability to act like human beings.

Personification Examples Look at my car. She is a beauty, isn t it so? The wind whispered through dry grass. The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. Time and tide waits for none. The fire swallowed the entire forest.

Sensory Details Sensory Details: sight, sound, touch, smell, taste

Repetition Repetition the act of repeating words or phrases for dramatic effect Example: In Hairs, the words hair, holding you, and rain are repeated.

Hyperbole Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. Some common examples: I am so hungry I could eat a horse. I had a ton of chores to do.

Hyperbole Examples A thousand tears were shed as the victory slipped through his hands. I had to wait an eternity in the line at the deli. My skin was as dry as the Sahara after I went into the ocean. ****Create 2 of your own hyperboles*****

Skill 3: Allusion An allusion is a figure of speech that refers to a place, person, or something that happened. This can be real or imaginary and may refer to anything. The reference can be direct or may be inferred, and can broaden the reader s understanding. Ex. With the strength of Hercules, he hurled both men onto his back and carried them to safety.

Allusion Examples I was surprised his nose was not growing like Pinocchio s. This refers to the story of Pinocchio, where his nose grew whenever he told a lie. When she lost her job, she acted like a Scrooge, and refused to buy anything that wasn t necessary. Scrooge was an extremely stingy character from Charles Dickens , A Christmas Carol. He was a real Romeo with the ladies. Romeo was a character in Shakespeare s play, Romeo and Juliet, and was very romantic in expressing his love for Juliet. Read more at