Figurative language
Figurative language:
- enhances descriptions by creating images in the mind of the reader/listener
- adds interest and colour to our writing or speech
- fires the imagination to make associations between the subject matter and other things, and appeals to the emotions.
Below are some common examples of figurative language that you may have heard before. Can you think of others?
- It's raining cats and dogs.
- He is like a bull at a gate.
- She is like a bull in a china shop.
- Her face was as white as a ghost.
- It was as light as a feather.
- There is a frog in my throat.
- It was as easy as pie.
- You are the apple of my eye.
- She was good as gold.
Simile
A simile is a comparison where one thing is said to be like another using the words 'like' or 'as'. Here are a few examples.
- The sun bounced off the window like a gymnast cartwheeling across a gym floor.
- He is as lean as a greyhound.
- The door gaped like a yawning mouth.
- The flames leapt like a footy player at bounce down.
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SimilesMatch the beginning of the simile with the most appropriate ending. |
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech which states that one thing is another. It is a comparison but unlike a simile it does not use the words 'like' or 'as'.
- The door was the gaping mouth of the rickety old house.
- The windows were its eyes.
- He is a tiger on the football field.
- I am the meat in the middle of the sandwich.
- The stars are the winking eyes of the night sky.
- The school is a prison; the teachers are the wardens.
Follow the instructions below to access a website which will help you understand metaphor.
1. Open http://ed.ted.com.
2. In the search box on the right-hand side of the page type 'the art of the metaphor' and press enter. This will display search results.
3. Open the listing titled 'The art of the metaphor - Jane Hirshfield'. Watch the video.
4. Open the 'Think' page on the right-hand side to complete a set of questions on metaphor.
5. Complete the activities at the 'Dig Deeper' link on the right-hand side.
Revising simile and metaphor
- For this activity you will be studying the narrative poem 'The Highwayman' by Alfred Noyes. It tells the story of a highwayman (similar to our bushrangers) and his love for Bess. It has examples of metaphor and simile which you will be asked to identify.
- Open www.youtube.com.
- In the search box type 'the highwayman animation'.
- From the search results list select a clip which has the words to the poem so you can read along. You could try the one by alyssea84uk.
- Read the poem as you watch the animation.
- Complete the following exercise based on this poem.
You may need to read the poem a few times to complete this exercise.
Work with a partner to find examples of metaphors and similes within the poem and write these in your journals. Next to each example sketch, paste or print images which represent your impression of the picture the metaphor or simile creates in your mind. Ask your teacher if this activity should be submitted.
- Have a go at creating your own metaphors and similes to describe the following:
- a chocolate fountain
- a pizza
- your favourite celebrity
- your family or a member of your family
- waves coming onto a beach
- Uluru
- a lake
- a paddock of dried wheat waiting to be harvested
- a country road
- a city street during rush hour
- a desert at night.
For a bit of fun, and to revise metaphors and similes, follow the steps below.
- Go to www.youtube.com.
- In the search box at the top of the page type 'similes and metaphors the bazillions'.
- Open the clip titled 'Similes and Metaphors by the Bazillions'.
- Listen, revise and enjoy.
Personification
Personification is when human qualities are given to nonhuman things such as animals, objects or ideas.
Some examples of personification are given below.
- The rug, wrinkled and threadbare, crawled across the floor.
- The branches of the jarrah tree pointed and waved angrily at the sky.
- The breeze caressed my face.
- The sea nuzzled the rocks and licked hungrily at the shore.
- The staircase groaned and moaned as Nan slowly climbed the ancient stairs.
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PersonificationThe examples of personification have been broken and muddled up. Match the beginnings with the appropriate endings to complete each. |
Now create your own examples of personification. Think of unusual ways to personify everyday things. Or, you may like to find examples from songs you know.
Alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds to create a particular effect.
- The muted murmurs and mumbles of students in discussion filtered into the hall.
- Sizzling sausages saut�ing in the pan.
- The bombarding blasts of bombs booming.
- Trickling currents tinkled towards the tumbling waterfall.
- Shrill shrieks sharply pierced the silence.
Write your own examples of alliteration or find examples in songs that you know. (If you use songs be sure to note the title and the artist for each example.)
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is when words are use to imitate the sound they represent. Words like boom, bang, crash, pow, thwump, woof, meow, oink are onomatopoeic.
- The hissing steam escaped from the kettle's spout.
- The clanging bells echoed across the dusty streets.
- Explosions boomed and banged in the distance.
- She could hear the swooshing and swishing of skis on snow.
Write examples of onomatopoeia in your journal.
Putting it all together - figurative language
You will need a copy of the short story 'The Shell' by Australian author, Colin Thiele. Your teacher could provide a copy for you or you may be able to find a copy on the internet. Thiele uses figurative language to bring the sea to life. It becomes a character within the story.
Complete the analysis of figurative language using the framework at the link below.
