Figurative Language 1

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

The second sentence gives us much richer detail.

Authors use what we call figurative language to help make literature more interesting. They use comparisons that go past literal meaning.

For example, a cake can’t talk, so it really can’t “call your name,” but when an author writes that, he or she means the character really wants to eat the cake.

There are many types of figurative language, but this lesson will cover four of them: metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole. By looking at the graphic below, you can learn about these four figures of speech:

(You can print out this Figures of Speech Graphic from Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar)

Figurative language is used in everyday language.

You many not have noticed how metaphors, similes, personification, and hyperboles enhance both spoken and written language. In this lesson, you will explore how figurative language adds details to the written and spoken language we encounter.

Music lyrics are full of figurative language. Watch this Simile, Metaphor, and Personification EXPLAINED video by Miguel Hernandez and listen to hear how different pop songs use figurative language. The next time you hear these songs on the radio, sing extra loud since you now understand the figurative language of the lyrics!

Continue on to the Got It? section to explore figurative language in songs.