Figurative language notes Flashcards

is a description that is not literally true.

1. meaning and images in writing. The author is trying to connect to the reader.
2. When the reader “sees” images, it is called “visualizing”
3. Don’t forget: figurative language is a form of imagery.

A comparison between two unlike things using like, as, or than

EX) “He was dizzy, aching, and felt shaken to pieces, when something went off like a thunderclap just behind him…”

• Just because the word “like” or “as” is present does not always mean a comparison is happening.
• “Than” is different from “then”. “Then” shows sequence; “than” shows comparison.

EXAMPLES:

1. Justin liked Susan, so he asked her to a movie.
2. June saw a jet fly overhead as she walked home.
3. I like apples, strawberries, and oranges.
4. I went home and then I ate dinner.

A comparison between two unlike things where is is said one thing IS something else.

1. EX) Her hands were ice cubes on the ends of her wrists.

Comparing her hands to ice cubes.

Giving human-like qualities to non-human creatures or objects

“In the cold of winter, when the ground lay frozen, [the trees] had sung their frosty ballads of years gone by.”

Trees are given the human quality of singing.

An extreme exaggeration, usually used for humor

Goodness, you startled me! I jumped out of my skin!

The exaggeration is a person can’t jump out of their skin.

A word that is a sound. It is auditory imagery(auditory means sound).

“Again and again and again [Nagaina] struck, and each time her head came with a whack on the matting of the veranda…”

WHACK is a sound detail.

The repetition of consonant sounds (not vowels) in a phrase.

1. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
2. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

When two opposing or conflicting ideas are presented together.

1. Living dead
2. Deafening silence
3. Small crowd
4. Jumbo shrimp
5. Awfully good
6. Bittersweet