Literal Nonliteral Language

The mouse sat quietly in the corner.

• Literal

• Non-Literal

She was as quiet as a mouse.

• Literal

• Non-Literal

His room was a mess.

• Literal

• Non-Literal

His room was a pigsty.

• Literal

• Non-Literal

What is non-literal language?

• Words and phrases that mean their exact definitions.

• A device used to confuse the reader.

• Words and phrases that do not mean their exact definitions.

• A group of words that begin with the same sound.

• Literal

• Non-Literal

Did you just read my mind? I was thinking the same exact thing.

• Literal

• Non-literal

My friend leaned over to me before we went on stage and said, "I have butterflies in my tummy!"

• Literal

• Nonliteral

Max was having trouble figuring out a problem, and his teacher told him that two heads are better than one.

Is this literal or nonliteral language?

• literal

• nonliteral

Sarah told her friend and secret and then her friend told the whole class. That left a bad taste in Sarah's mouth.

• Literal

• Nonliteral