Figurative LanguageFigurative LanguageFigurative LanguageFigurative Language

Metaphors, Similes, and Metaphors, Similes, and Personification Personification

Metaphors • A metaphor is a figure of speech in which an

implied comparison is made between two unlike things that actually have something in common.

• Metaphors are most common when comparing two things not using “like” or “as”.

Examples of Metaphors• My father is a rock. • This means he is a very

strong or reliable person. • He is compared to a rock

because it is a hard, mineral material made of stone.

• I'm not an angel, but I wouldn't behave like that.

• This means they are not a perfect person.

• They are compared to this because an angel is a spiritual being believed to be a messenger of God.

• She was a graceful swan during her dance recital.

• This means the dancer moved gracefully.

• The dancer is compared to a swan because a swan moves gracefully.

• We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.

• This means that Tammy ate a lot!• She is compared to a hog

because hogs eat a large amount without thinking about anyone but themselves.

• Cindy was such a mule. We couldn’t get her to change her mind.

• This means she is a stubborn person.

• Mules are known for being stubborn.

• Our old cat was a bolt of lightning when he caught his prey.

• The cat is very fast.• The cat is compared to a

bolt of lightening because it strikes quickly.

Similes• A simile is a type of figurative language. • A simile is the comparison of two unlike

things using the word 'like' or 'as.'

Examples of Similes• The girl swam like a fish

in the water.• The girl was a very good

swimmer.• She is compared to a

fish because fish are natural swimmers .

• The twins were like two peas in a pod.

• The twins were nearly identical.

• They are compared to peas in a pod because they look the same.

• The fish I caught was as big as a whale!

• I caught a large fish.• The fish is compared to

a whale because it is the largest aquatice mammal.

• My grandfather was as wise as King Solomon and often gave us advice. With the picture.. Should we say wise as an owl? I have a picture of an owl I took..we could use..

• Grandfather is very wise.• He is being compared to King

Solomon because he was known for his wisdom.

• The weight lifter was as strong as an ox.

• The weight lifter was strong!

• He was compared to an ox because oxen are known for their strength.

Personification• Personification is a type of figurative language.• Personification is giving human traits

(qualities, feelings, action, or characteristics) to non-living objects (things, colors, qualities, or ideas).

Examples of Personification• The car engine

coughed when it started during the blizzard.

• The verb, cough, is a human action. The engine is a non-living thing.

• The china danced on the shelves during the earthquake.

• The verb, danced, is a human action. The china is a non-living thing.

• The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning hours.

• The verb, whispered, is a human action. The snow is a non-living thing.

Personification• The video camera

observed the whole scene.

• The verb, observed, is a human action. The video camera is a non-living thing.

• The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers.

• The verb, nodded, is a human action. The daffodils are non-living things.