This document provides examples of different types of figurative language including simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, apostrophe, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, puns, anachronisms, and anthropomorphism. It includes short quotes and passages that demonstrate each technique through the use of descriptive language, comparisons, repetition of sounds, and attribution of human qualities.

1. Figurative Language Parts of Speech make up our language. Figures of Speech bring it to life!

2. Simile a comparison of two unlike things using as , like , or than The stars twinkled like fireflies in the night. Her heart is as big as Texas.

3. “ A Book” by Emily Dickinson “ There is no frigate like a book To take us lands away, Nor any coursers like a page Of prancing poetry…”

4. “ Me” by Walter de la Mare “ As long as I live I shall always be Myself--and no other, Just me. Like a tree. Like a willow or elder, An aspen, a thorn, Or a cypress forlorn…”

5. Metaphor a comparison of two unlike things without using as , like , or than My mother is a bear in the mornings. Her snow white hair was covered with a hat. My mind is in left field today.

6. “ Fireflies” by Carolyn Hall “ Little lamps of the dusk, You fly low and gold. When the summer evening Starts to unfold…” “ ..But when the night has flowered..”

7. Personification giving human qualities to non-humans The moon was winking through the clouds. The leaves danced in the breeze.

8. “ Autumn” by Emily Dickinson “ The maple wears a brighter scarf, The field a scarlet gown. Lest I should be old-fashioned, I’ll put a trinket on.”

9. Alliteration repetition of the same initial consonant sound in two or more words of a sentence The tiny tot teethed on the toy. The big bad bully belched. The frog jumped free from the frazzled net.

10. “ This is My Rock” by David McCord “ This is my rock And here I run To steal the secret of the sun …”

11. Apostrophe speaking to an absent or inanimate object Bell, don’t ring now! Come on, car. Don’t run out of gas!

12. “ Little Lamb” by William Blake “ Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and bade thee feed By the stream and o’er the mead…”

13. Onomatopoeia words that imitate a sound The buzzing clock woke me. Her swooshing skirt was annoying.

14. “ The Bells” by Edgar Allan Poe “ Hear the sledges with the bells-- Silver bells! … From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.”

15. Hyperbole obvious and deliberate exaggeration I am so hungry that I could die. I told you a million times to head your paper.

16. PUN a play on the multiple meanings of words or on two words that sound alike but have different meanings. An elevator makes ghosts happy because it lifts the spirits. To write with a broken pencil is pointless. Seven days without laughter makes one weak.

17. Anachronism Something misplaced in time Abe Lincoln was watching a movie the night he was shot. Ben Franklin came home and realized his microwave was blinking.

18. Anthropomorphism Giving a god human characteristics “ He’s got the whole world in His hands.” And God said, “Let there be light.”