Figurative vs. Literal Language

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What is figurative language?

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Figurative language uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. It often includes similes, metaphors, and personification.

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What is literal language?

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Literal language means exactly what it says. There are no hidden meanings or interpretations.

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What is a simile?

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A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'Her hair shined like the sun.'

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What is a metaphor?

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A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'Time is a thief.'

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What is personification?

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Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects, or ideas. For example, 'The wind whispered through the trees.'

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What is hyperbole?

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Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally. For example, 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.'

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What is alliteration?

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Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words. For example, 'Susan suddenly stretched slowly.'

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What is onomatopoeia?

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Onomatopoeia is a word that imitates the sound it represents. For example, 'buzz', 'hiss', or 'bang'.

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What is an oxymoron?

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An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. For example, 'deafening silence'.

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How can you identify figurative language in a sentence?

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Look for comparisons, exaggerations, or descriptions that suggest meanings beyond the literal interpretation.