Figurative LanguageFigurative language is a tool that an author uses, to help the reader visualize, or see, what is happening in a story or poem.

Types of Figurative Language

Simile is a comparison using like or as. It usually compares two unlike objects.Example: His feet are as big as boats. Feet and boats are being compared.

M et aphor states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison, but does NOT use like or as to make the comparison.Example: Her hair is silk. Hair and silk are being compared.

Personification is giving human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to inanimate (not living) objects.Example: The house stared at me with looming eyes. The verb, stared, is a human action. A house is a non-living object. Therefore, we have a good example of personification.

Example: The ancient car groaned into first gear. The verb, ________________, is a human action. A_________________ is a non-living thing.

Alliteration is the repetition of the initial consonant. There should be at least two repetitions in a row.Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. The first letter, p, is a consonant. Its sound is repeated many times.

Onomatopoeia is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. These words help us form mental pictures, or visualize, things, people, or places that are described. Sometimes a word names a thing or action by copying the sound.Example: Bong! Hiss Buzz!

Imagery involves one or more of your five senses – the abilities to hear, taste, touch, smell, and see. An author uses a word or phrase to stimulate your memory of those senses and to help create mental pictures.

Hyperbole is intentionally exaggerated figures of speech. Example: It was raining cats and dogs.

Symbolism occurs when one thing stands for or represents something else.Example: The dove symbolizes peace.

Similes

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A simile uses the words like or as to compare two things.

Examples:The snow glittered like diamonds.He was as slow as a turtle.

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Directions: Circle the two objects being compared in each sentence.

1 . The kittens were like gymnasts performing tricks.

2. My old computer is as slow as molasses.

3. When the lights went out in the basement, it was as dark as night.

4. The sun was like a fire, heating up the earth.

5. The young girl was as graceful as a ballerina.

6. The puppy cried like a baby all night.

7.. He flies that airplane like a daredevil.

8. The girl was as pretty as a picture.

9. The snow on the mountain tops was like whipped cream.

10. The tiger's eyes were like emeralds.

Directions: Complete the simile in each sentence.

11. My cat is as as

12. He was as _____________________________ as a ____________________________.

13. Melissa’s eyes shone like ________________________________.

14. The paints were like _________________________________.

15. The opera singer’s voice was as __________________ as ____________________.

Name__________________________________________Block:______________________

Simile Practice 

Similes are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Similes are a way to describe something. Authors use them to make their writing more interesting or entertaining.

Similes use the words “as” or “like” to make the connection between the two things that are being compared.

Underline the word or phrase that is being described by each simile. Put parentheses around the word or phrase it is being compared to. The first three have been done for you.

1. Mary frowned and said, “I believe that taking drugs is like (playing with fire).”

2. I walked along the beach and listened to the ocean. My sadness was as unending as the (waves).

3. Don’t tell Mother that her cookies taste like (lumps of sand).

4. Sam waited impatiently for his older brother to calm down. “Bill, I think you are acting like a baby,” he said.

5. Karen was offended when I said that she was as flaky as a snowstorm.

6. Be careful when you go out. The sidewalk is as slippery as greased glass.

7. I’m not comfortable about this situation. I feel like a bug sitting under a magnifying glass.

8. I hoped our play would be a success and last for many performances. However, I guess it will last as long as a balloon in a roomful of kittens.

9. I really like Patty. Her heart is as soft as a feather pillow.

10. Cheryl’s smile is as sweet as a lullaby.

, ; ,..... .. ... .

Name

MetaphorsA metaphor makes a direct comparison between two unlike things. A noun must be used in the comparison. The words like and as are not used.

Examples:Correct: The exuberant puppy was a bundle of energy.Incorrect: The dog is happy. (Happy is an adjective.)

Directions: Circle the two objects being compared.

l. The old truck was a heap of rusty metal.2. The moon was a silver dollar in the

sky. 3. Their vacation was a nightmare.

4 . That wasp is a flying menace.

5. The prairie was a carpet of green.

6. The flowers were jewels on stems.

7. This winter, our pond is glass.

8. The clouds were marshmallows .

Directions: Complete the metaphor in each sentence.

9. The ruby was ______________________________________.

10. The hospital is ____________________________________________________.

l 1 . The car was ___________________________________________________________________.

12. This morning when I awoke , I w a s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _13. 'When my brother is grumpy, he is------------------------

14. Her fingers on the piano keys were __________________________________.

;2006 Carson-Oellosa Publishinq LLC 59 English and Grammar : Grade 5

Metaphors are a way to compare to by saying that one thing is another thing. For example, we say somebody is a fool. In the past in Europe, a fool was a person who entertained the king or queen by doing silly things. The fool was a kind of clown. He often did crazy or stupid things to make people laugh. So when we call somebody a fool we really mean that he or she is doing something silly or stupid. We don’t really mean that they are somebody who entertains the king or queen. We are using a metaphor.

What do we mean when we say these things:

When we say someone is a pig we really mean that ________________________________________________________

When we call someone an angel we really mean that ________________________________________________________

If we say someone is a giant we really mean that ________________________________________________________

When we call a man an ogre or a woman a witch we really mean ________________________________________________________

When somebody plays cards and we call them a shark, we really mean that ________________________________________________________

If we say that somebody is a volcano ready to explode, we really mean that ________________________________________________________

When we say somebody is bright we mean that ________________________________________________________

Poetry Worksheet #1

Decide whether each sentence contains a simile or a metaphor. If it is a simile, underline the simile in one color and write “simile” after it. If it is a metaphor, underline the metaphor in another color, and write “metaphor” after it. Finally, under each sentence, write what the simile or metaphor means.

1. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack.

2. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it.

3. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath.

4. I felt like a cheetah when I ran the race.

5. Those boys are like two peas in a pod.

Write your own simile.

Write your own metaphor.

PersonificationThe delicious smell of cookies pulled me into the kitchen.

"Follow Me"

For each sentence, circle the object being personified and write the meaning.

1. The wind sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.

2. The microwave timer told me it was time to eat my TV dinner.

3. The china danced on the shelves during the earthquake.

4. The rain kissed my cheeks as it fell.

5. The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the walkers.

6. The snow whispered as it fell to the ground during the early morning hours.

Personify the following sentences. Change the words in parentheses to words that would describe a human’s actions.

1. The puppy (barked) when I left for school.2. The leaf (fell) from the tree.3. The CD player (made a noise).4. The arrow (moves) across the screen.5. The net (moves) when the basketball goes through.

Write 3 of your own sentences that demonstrate personification.

PersonificationBy:____________

Example:

Literal Meaning Deeper Meaning

Figurative LanguageIdentify the following sentences as similes, metaphors, or personifications

1. He is like a monster when he plays sports. _____

2. He is a monster when he plays sports. _____

3. Paying bills is like having your teeth pulled. _____

4. The moon was a silver ship sailing through the sea. _____

5. She swims like a fish. _____

6. The water opened its arms and invited them in. _____

7. My brother is a clown. _____

8. The rain kissed my face as it fell. _____

9. The strawberries were yelling, “Eat me first!” _____

10. He is a rabbit lost in the woods. _____

11. Her glasses look like small bottle caps. _____

12. His eyes are shining stars in the middle of the night. _____

13. The car engine coughed and cried when it started during the cold

winter morning. _____