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Figurative Language
Term | Definition |
---|---|
alliteration | The repetition of beginning sounds (usually consonants) in nearby words. |
hyperbole | Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. |
idiom | An expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole |
imagery | Writing about objects, actions, and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our five physical senses |
metaphor | A word or phrase for one thing that is used as a comparison for another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar (without "like" or "as" |
onomatopoeia | The forming of a word (as “buzz” or “hiss”) in imitation of a natural sound |
personification | Giving human characteristics to a non-human thing |
simile | A comparison of two unlike things, often introduced by like or as |
allusion | A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance |
meiosis (understatement) - 8th grade only | The presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect; understatement |
alliteration example | “Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before” - "The Raven," Edgar Allan Poe |
allusion example | “The morning wind forever blows, the poem of creation is uninterrupted; but few are the ears that hear it. Olympus is but the outside of the earth everywhere.” Walden, Henry David Thoreau |
hyperbole example | "I've seen this movie a hundred times." |
idiom example | “Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.” -A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens |
imagery example | "After the long run, he collapsed in the grass with tired and burning muscles. The grass tickled his skin and sweat cooled on his brow." |
meiosis example (8th grade only) | "Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch.” -Mercutio after he is mortally wounded by Tybalt - Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare |
metaphor example | “Our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind.” -Sand and Foam, Khalil Gibran |
onomatopoeia example | “Keeping time, time, time, In a sort of Runic rhyme, To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells From the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells— From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.” -“The Bells,” Edgar Allan Poe |
personification example | “Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.” - “Because I could not stop for Death,” Emily Dickinson |
simile example | "She was a quiet as a mouse." |