Figurative Language Reference Sheet

1. Metaphors: http://missspott.com/Metaphors.html

A metaphor is a comparison of two different things to show a likeness between them. Metaphors do not use the words like or as when making comparisons, as do similes. Sometimes, they say that one thing is another, such as “her teeth are pearls". Metaphors also suggest a comparison. For example, in the line, "The fog comes in on little cat feet", from "The Fog" by Carl Sandburg, the fog is being described as if it were a cat.

Autumn is a season of dust. Into the dust crumble memories of powerful ocean tides hitting a sea of sand, early morning walks on a white crescent of beach, and sun scorched hills where the beauty of the summer slowly unfolds. But autumn, too, will bring her own memories. The foliage is a painting come to life and the music of the falling leaves will serenade us into winter.

2. Simile: http://missspott.com/similes.html

A simile is a comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. For example, in the sentence, "The lion purred like a kitten," the lion's purring is compared to that of a kitten's. Similes give the reader a new way to see or understand something and can create a strong mental picture.

Read the poem below and notice the similes in italics.

"Simile: Willow and Ginkgo" by Eve Merrriam

The willow is like an etching, Fine-lined against the sky. The ginkgo is like a crude sketch, Hardly worthy to be signed.

The willow's music is like a soprano Delicate and thin. The ginkgo's tune is like a chorus With everyone joining in.

3. Personification: http://missspott.com/personification.html

Personification is the technique of giving a non-human thing human qualities such as hearing, feeling, talking, or making decisions. Writers use personification to emphasize something or make it stand out. Personification makes the material more interesting and creates a new way to look at every day things.

Read the poem "Summer Grass" by Carl Sandburg and think about how personification is used to make the poem more descriptive. "Summer Grass" by Carl Sandburg

Summer grass aches and whispers It wants something: it calls and sings; it pours out wishes to the overhead stars. The rain hears; the rain answers; the rain is slow coming; the rain wets the face of the grass.

4. Hyperbole: http://missspott.com/hyperbole.html

A hyperbole is an exaggeration of the truth, usually meant to be humorous or funny. The sentence, "I can eat a million ice cream cones", is an exaggeration of the true fact that the speaker likes ice cream cones. Writers and poets use hyperbole to get a point across or to be funny. Read the two stanzas below from the poem, "No Difference", by Shel Silverstein and see if you could identify the hyperboles.

Small as a peanut, Big as a giant, We're all the same size When we turn out the light.

Rich as a sultan, Poor as a mite, We're all worth the same When we turn out the light.

5. Alliteration: http://missspott.com/Alliteration.html

Alliteration is the repetition (repeating) of a consonant sound at the beginning of two or more words that are next to each other or near each other to create a feeling or mood. For example, in the sentence, "Fly away, my fine feathered friend!" the "f" sound is repeated over and over again.