Figurative Language
Learning Goals:
Understand figurative language and how it can be used to improve writing
Critically consider the situations when figurative language is most appropriate
Understand figurative language and how it can be used to improve writing
Critically consider the situations when figurative language is most appropriate
Defintion: Figurative language is a word or phrase that departs from everyday literal language for the sake of comparison, emphasis, clarity, or freshness.
The Basics:
Simile: direct comparison using like or as
Metaphor: implied comparison
Personification: a metaphor that attributes human qualities to something that is not human
Paradox: a statement that seems to contradict itself
Activity 1: Looking for Paradoxes
Which of the following sentences are paradoxes?
a. Although they had no money, they were rich beyond measure.
b. She had a heart of gold.
c. The way is up is the way down.
d. As the plane rose, my heart sank.
e. She was a victim of her own success
Activity 2: Simile, Metaphor, Peronification, Paradox
Identify the proper figure of speech for each of the following passages (there should be one of each).
a. "Surprised by Joy - impatient as the Wind I turned to share the transport" - William Wordsworth
b. "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard not more..." - William Shakespeare
c. You can't get there from here.
d. "And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow." - William Butler Yeats
Activity 3: Write your Own
Write four sentences containing figurative language items learned during this lesson (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Paradox). Be prepared to share your writing with the class.
Critical Inquiry Question: Does figurative language distract or add to writing? Take stance on this question and be prepared to share your ideas with the class.
Let's test your knowledge on these and other types of figurative language: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizshow.php?title=3rd-hour-literary-devices-quiz&quesnum=1
Answers:
1. a. Paradox b. not c. Paradox d. not e. Paradox
2. a. simile b. personification c. paradox d. metaphor
Simile: direct comparison using like or as
Metaphor: implied comparison
Personification: a metaphor that attributes human qualities to something that is not human
Paradox: a statement that seems to contradict itself
Activity 1: Looking for Paradoxes
Which of the following sentences are paradoxes?
a. Although they had no money, they were rich beyond measure.
b. She had a heart of gold.
c. The way is up is the way down.
d. As the plane rose, my heart sank.
e. She was a victim of her own success
Activity 2: Simile, Metaphor, Peronification, Paradox
Identify the proper figure of speech for each of the following passages (there should be one of each).
a. "Surprised by Joy - impatient as the Wind I turned to share the transport" - William Wordsworth
b. "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard not more..." - William Shakespeare
c. You can't get there from here.
d. "And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow." - William Butler Yeats
Activity 3: Write your Own
Write four sentences containing figurative language items learned during this lesson (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Paradox). Be prepared to share your writing with the class.
Critical Inquiry Question: Does figurative language distract or add to writing? Take stance on this question and be prepared to share your ideas with the class.
Let's test your knowledge on these and other types of figurative language: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizshow.php?title=3rd-hour-literary-devices-quiz&quesnum=1
Answers:
1. a. Paradox b. not c. Paradox d. not e. Paradox
2. a. simile b. personification c. paradox d. metaphor
Sources:
(definition) "Figurative Language Definition -- Figurative Language Definition for Creative Writers." Fiction Writing. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/glossary
(image) "Pages - FigurativeLanguage." Nashua School District SharePoint Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <http://schools.nashua.edu/middle/lime
(activities 1 & 2) Language Power I. Toronto: Gage, 2003. Print.