Figurative Languagespeech/writing that departs from literal meaning in order to achieve a special effect or meaning.

AlliterationAlliteration: repetition within a line

or phrase of the same initial sound or letter.

Example: “One mother who is tired all the time from buttoning and bottling, and babying”(29).

ImageryImagery: language that creates a

recognizable world by drawing on our common experiences.

Example: “Down the corner where the men can’t take their eyes off us. We must be Christmas” (40).

Metaphor Metaphor: suggests a comparison by

wording a sentence as if two unlike things are the same. The comparison is never directly stated.

Example: “But my mother’s hair…is the warm smell of bread before you bake it.”

SimileSimile: a comparison is directly

stated using “like” or “as”

Example: “They don’t walk like ordinary dogs but leap and somersault like an apostrophe and comma” (71).

PersonificationPersonification: language that

attributes human qualities to things, animals, or nature.

Example: “Looking smaller still, our house with its feet tucked under like a cat” (22).

HyperboleHyperbole: A figure of speech in

which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.

Example: “I shake my head no. My feet growing bigger and bigger” (47).

Assonance and ConsonanceConsonance: repetition of consonant sounds within a phrase (again, not always the initial letter!)

The black chicken pecked at the candy corn.

Assonance: repetition of vowel sounds within a phrase (not the initial letter!) Like a diamond in the sky.

ActivityGrab a copy of The House on Mango

Street. Look for at least two examples of each

type of figurative language. Write out the quote, the page number,

and one sentence explaining what the figurative language means literally.

You may work with a partner.

When You FinishWrite your sentences using figurative

language! You must have one sentence for each of

the six types.Imitate the subject of your first vignette if

you have it. If not, choose something that you can write about easily.

Put your six sentences into a vignette-like paragraph. You’re telling a story using figurative language!