The Power of Figurative Language

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Figurative Language

Similes &Metaphors

Personification

Symbolism

What have I learned?

You can FIGURE it out! Figurative Language can help you read

better, write better, and be heard!

Let’s get started!

Goal: Developing a deep understanding of figurative language and related vocabulary improves understanding of narratives and poetry.

• 5th grade students will be able to define figure, figurative, language, similar, simile, metaphor, person, personification, symbol, and symbolism.

Home What is Figurative Language?

• Students will be able to evaluate sentence context and choose the correct vocabulary words to complete domain-specific questions

• Students will be able to recognize and identify examples of similes, metaphors, and personification found in selected poetry.

Objectives

Figure (noun)

SYNONYMSsymbolnumbercharacter celebritysumtotalprice

SYNONYMSillustrativedescriptivesymbolic

representative

Home Next

Illustrative symbol descriptive numbercharacter

celebrity symbolic representative sum total price

The words in the word bank are synonyms for figure and figurative. Choose the appropriate category for each word in the box. Consider the parts of speech. Use the online thesaurus if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

Figurative (adj.)

Language (noun)

SYNONYMSexpressionspeechvocabularyvoicewordingconversationtalk

ANTONYMSquietsilencenumbers

Home Next

expression speech quiet vocabulary voice

silence wording conversation talk numbers

The words in the word bank are synonyms and antonyms for language. Choose the appropriate category for each word in the box. Use your online thesaurus if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

Figurative Language (noun)Definition: • Language that uses figures of speech, or words that

represent an idea using symbols• Language that communicates ideas in an interesting

way

Home Similes & Metaphors

Examples:• The eagle symbolizes a free nation because it soars freely• A bird can be used to describe a plane:

The plane soared like a bird.

Now it’s time to discover different types of figurative Language…

Similar (adj.)

SYNONYMSrelatedalikeconnected

SYNONYMSsymbolicalfigurativedescriptive

Home Back Next

symbolical related figurativealike connected descriptive

The words in the word bank are synonyms for similar and metaphorical. Choose the appropriate category for each word in the box. Use your online thesaurus if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

Metaphorical (adj.)

SimileDefinition:• A figure of speech, or figurative

language, that compares two unlike things using like or as

• Suggests two unlike things are similar

Home Back Practice Activity 1

MetaphorDefinition:• A figure of speech, or figurative

language, that compares two unlike things by suggesting they are the same

• Assigns new meaning to word

Examples:

• Eloise dances like a swan.

• Josh runs as fast as lightening.

Examples:

• Eloise is a swan when she dances.

• Josh is lightening when he runs.

Home Back Practice Activity 2

Simile & Metaphor Practice Activity 1

Determine whether each example is a simile or a metaphor. Go back and review if needed. Click space bar to see answers. 1. Lucy said my room is a pig pen! SIMILE

2. My dad said I am an angel. SIMILE

3. Jake climbs like a monkey.

METAPHOR

4. My sister is a dragon. SIMILE

5. My hair is tangled like a sheep dog. METAPHOR

6. Our house is a zoo! SIMILE

7. My brother is as tall as a giraffe.

METAPHOR

8. Mom is like a teddy bear.

METAPHOR

METAPHOR

METAPHOR

SIMILE

METAPHOR

SIMILE

METAPHORSIMILE

SIMILE

Home Back Personification Simile & Metaphor Practice 2

Read the following poem. Decide if each numbered and underlined part is a SIMILE or a METAPHOR. Click space bar to see answers. Dreams

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged bird (1)That cannot fly.Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is like a barren field (2)Frozen with snow.

~Langston Hughes~

Answers

(1) SIMILE(2) METAPHOR

Consider the following questions:1. Why does the author use broken-

winged bird and barren field to describe life? Are these positive or negative descriptions?

2. What causes life to be this way?3. What is the author trying to say? 4. Can you learn from this poem?

METAPHORSIMILIE

Person (noun)

SYNONYMShumanchild adultme characterindividual

SYNONYMSsymbolizeto copy act outimpersonaterepresent

Home Back Next

human child symbolize adult meto copy

character Act out impersonate individualrepresent

The words in the word bank are synonyms for person and personify. Choose the appropriate category for each word in the box. Consider parts of speech. Use your online thesaurus if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

Personify (verb)

Personification (noun)Definition:• Figurative language that gives human qualities to

non-human things like animals, plants and other objects

• Used when author creates non-human characters• Represents something in the form of a person

Home Back Practice Activity

Examples:• The trees danced in the wind.• The frog asked if he could kiss the princess.• The waves licked the shore as the storm approached.

Home Back Symbolism Personification Practice

Read the poem and decide whether or not each underlined and numbered section contains personification. Click space bar to see answers.

I ama tree who

(1)reaches out to you with love (2)I’ll share.

I am here (3)to embrace,my branches of tenderness.I am a tree (4)which extends,

water me in tender care.As I stand by your side

extending (5)my heart always.

~Sherry Finley~

Answers(1) NO(2) NO(3) NO(4) YES(5) NO

Consider the following questions:1. Who is speaking in the poem?2. Why is the tree being portrayed

this way?3. Does the author have a

message for you, the reader?

YES

YES

YES

NO

YES

Symbol (noun)

SYNONYMSrepresentation

figuresigncharacter

SYNONYMScharacteristicrepresentativedescriptive

Home Back Next

representation characteristic figure signrepresentative character descriptive

The words in the word bank are synonyms for symbol and symbolic. Choose the appropriate category for each word in the box. Consider parts of speech. Use your online thesaurus if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

Symbolic (adj.)

Symbolism (noun) Definition: • A figure of speech, or figurative language, that represents an idea

or meaning using symbols• Comparing an idea to a symbol to aid understanding• Can be a metaphor

Home Back Practice Activity

Examples:• Life is a roller-coaster. (symbolizes that we all have good times and bad times, or ups and downs)

• He is a rock during difficult times. (symbolizes that he is a strong dependable person when one is in need of help)

Home Back What Have I Learned?

Symbolism PracticeRead the poem and decide which numbered lines contain symbolism. Click space bar to see answers. THE DRUMdaddy says

1the world is a drum 2tight and hard 3and I told him

4 i’m gonna

5beat out my own rhythm 6

~Nikki Giovanni~

Answers

1 2 3 4 5 6

Consider these questions:

1. What is the author telling you about the world?

2. How does the author plan to respond to the world he describes?

3. What can you learn from the author?

4. There is no capitalization in the poem. Is this symbolic?

2 6

What have I learned?• Learning is up to you because it is a choice that requires

action• Figurative Language helps authors communicate deeper

meanings, hold your attention, and paint pictures in your mind

• Figurative language can take you to unknown places

Home Back Ultimate Challenge

• Do you want what you write to be interesting or boring?• Do you think figurative language can help you be heard?• How can you improve your writing with figurative language?• How can understanding figurative language improve your reading

skills?

Ultimate ChallengeRead the following poem. Look at each numbered and underlined part and decide what type of figurative language it is.

Home Answers

The butterfly seemed to shimmer like fairy dust (1) across the skiesWhen suddenly the wind picked it up and carried it (2) past my eyes

Gently stroking my cheeks (3) as it went by

I became the wind (4) as I ranTrying to stay wrapped in its soft embrace (5)

Only to find myself left behind

I bent my head like a balloon losing air (6)Thinking sadly that life is not fair

Wishing I had the beauty…that is not there

The sun caresses my face (7) with rays of lightI lift my head

I am the butterfly (8) and I can fly!

~C. Ryals~

Answers(1) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(2) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(3) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(4) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(5) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(6) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(7) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

(8) SIMILE METAPHOR PERSONIFICATION

Consider these questions:• What would be a fitting title for

this poem?• What is the author trying to

communicate with the chosen language?

• What can you learn from this piece?

Ultimate ChallengeCompare your answers with the answers in the box. Review if needed. Click space bar to see answers.

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The butterfly seemed to shimmer like fairy dust (1) across the skiesWhen suddenly the wind picked it up and carried it (2) past my

eyesGently stroking my cheeks (3) as it went by

I became the wind (4) as I ranTrying to stay wrapped in its soft embrace (5)

Only to find myself left behind

I bent my head like a balloon losing air (6)Thinking sadly that life is not fair

Wishing I had the beauty…that is not there

The sun caresses my face (7) with rays of lightI lift my head

I am the butterfly (8) and I can fly!

~C. Ryals~

Answers

(1) SIMILE (2) PERSONIFICATION(3) PERSONIFICATION(4) METAPHOR (5) PERSONIFICATION(6) SIMILE (7) PERSONIFICATION(8) METAPHOR