Literal Versus Figurative Language

a comparison of one thing as if it were another

(without the use of like or as)

• alliteration

• metaphor

giving human characteristics to a nonhuman subject

• personification

• simile

Jack's hair and beard are bright blond.

• Literal language is used.

• Figurative language is used.

When he heard the scream, claws of fear tore at his scalp.

• literal language

• figurative language

Dead on her feet, Marla collapsed onto the worn bus seat, glad her 24 hour shift was finally over.

• literal language

• figurative language

The tornado played with the car, picking it up in its jaws, then dropping it.

• literal laguage

• figurative language

The shark's fin cut the water like a razor slashing silk.

• literal language

• figurative language

The skin on the farmer's face was as wrinkled , weathered, and worn as the leather on a horse's harness. What is being compared in this simile?

• skin-leather

• farmer-leather

Juana's dark eyes swam like fish behind her tinted glasses. What is being compared in this simile?

• eyes-glasses

• eyes-fish

the repeated consonant sounds at the beginnings of words

(breeze blew briskly)

• alliteration

• onomatopoeia