This document defines and provides examples of various types of figurative language that can make stories more interesting. It discusses similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification, idioms, and hyperbole. Each technique is explained and an example is given to illustrate its use and meaning.

2.  Word / phrase with no literal
meaning
Makes stories more interesting
 There are many different types

3. Simile
Metaphor
 Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
 Personification
Idiom
Hyperbole

4. Comparison between objects or
ideas
- “As busy as a bee”
- “Runs like a cheetah”
Uses like or as
- “Sings like an angel”
- “As cute as a button”

5.  (Remember: uses like or as)
A) “As cool as a cucumber”
B) “The lake is a mirror”
A) “Books are keys to the imagination”
B) “Like fingernails on a chalkboard”

6.  Makes a direct comparison
- “You are my sunshine”
 States something is or are something
- “He is a night owl”
 Useful to create a visual image
- “The falling snowflakes are dancers”

7.  (Remember: uses is or are)
A) “As tough as nails”
B) “His words are cotton candy”
A) “Laughter is music to the soul”
B) “Like two peas in a pod”

8.  Series of words
-“Tom tried tasty toffee”
 Repetition of the same beginning
sound/letter
-“Gertrude’s giraffe gobbled green
gooseberries”
 Includes tongue-twisters!
-“She sells sea shells by the sea
shore”

9. A) Wendy wanted warm, wonderful
waffles.
B) Sherlock smiled after seeing a
clue.
C)The haunted house was
frightening.

10. Use of a word or words
-“Snap, crackle, pop!”
-“Cock-a-doodle doo”
Describes or imitates a sound
-“Whoosh”
-“Achoo!”

11. Animal Sounds:
-woof, hoot, meow, neigh
Human Sounds:
- hush, giggle, whisper, eek
 Other sounds:
- bang, clickety-clack, drip, fizz

12. Human characteristics given to an
object/animal
- “The lightning danced across the
sky.”
- “The wind howled Halloween
night.”

13.  “The book flew off the shelves.”
 “Our vacuum hummed a happy
tune.”
 “My flowers were begging for
water.”

14.  Word combinations
 Different meaning from the literal
meaning
- “That was a piece of cake!”
(Real meaning: that was easy)
- “I have a frog in my throat”
(Real meaning: losing your voice)

15.  “It cost an arm and a leg.”
- Real meaning: it was expensive
 “Get cold feet”
- Real meaning: become nervous/scared
 “Hold your horses!”
- Real meaning: wait a minute

16. Very dramatic exaggeration
- “It’s so hot I could melt!”
- “He is older than dirt.”
 No one would believe it’s true
- “Her smile was a mile wide.”
- “These shoes are killing me!”

17. Word / phrase with no literal
meaning
Makes stories more interesting
Many different types

18. Simile
Metaphor
 Alliteration
Onomatopoeia
 Personification
 Idiom
Hyperbole

19.  Warner. (n.d.). Figurative language. Retrieved June, 2014, from
http://mrswarnerarlington.weebly.com/ figurative-language.html
 Example articles & resources. (n.d.). Retrieved 2014, from http://examples.yourdictionary.com/
 Gail, “Slice o Cake” May 3, 2009 via Fickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Yellowcloud, “Snowflake-017” February 6, 2006 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Mark Dumont, “Savanna Run” June 30, 2013 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Karunakar Rayker, “Shell on the beach” September 19, 2004 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Travis Isaacs, “Ear” September 11, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Oregon Department of Transportation, “Lightning_03” July 31, 2014 via Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribution.
 Chauncey Davis, “Running of the Horses” August 14, 2009 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution.
 Foeoc Kannilc, “Jimm Choo Women Shoe Collection” August 30, 2012 via Flickr, Creative Commons
Attribution.