Literary devices - figurative language

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Literary devices: 

Figurative language

After this lesson...

... you can recognise examples of metaphors, similes, hyperboles, understatements and personifications!

... you know why figurative language is used

Figurative language: Why?

- to evoke vivid imagery

- to bring emotional intensity

- compare an idea to something tangible so readers can better visualize what the author means

etc.

“ Love is a feeling,” becomes “Love is a cup of coffee on a rainy Sunday morning.”

Kies uit:

Metaphor vs. Simile

A comparison between two things without 'like' or 'as'

A comparison between two things with the words 'like' or 'as'

Hyperbole vs. Understatement

Describing something in a way that makes it seem less important, bad, serious etc. than it really is

Exaggeration for emphasis or effect

I will love you forever

My parents are from the Stone Age

Personification

Human traits are given to objects or ideasHuman traits are given to objects or ideas

Personification

Simile

Metaphor

Hyperbole

Understatement

She is a walking dictionary

The car is feeling cranky today

The middle of the street isn’t the best place for your child to play.

She hung her head like a dying flower

I would die without you!

00:28

"I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space"
is a

1. metaphor
2. simile
3. personification

0

02:19

Which phrase of the lyrics contains a personification?

I'm never gonna dance again, guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it's easy to pretend, I know you're not a fool
I should have known better than to cheat a friend
And waste a chance that I'd been given
So I'm never gonna dance again the way I danced with you

00:19

Havana, ooh-na-na (ayy) Half of my heart is in Havana, ooh na-na (ayy, ayy)
He took me back to East Atlanta, na-na-na, ah
Oh, but my heart is in Havana (ayy)
There's somethin' 'bout his manners (uh-huh)
Havana, ooh-na-na (uh)

Identify the hyperbole:

00:28

"I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space"

is a

1. Personification
2. Simile
3. Metaphor

00:14

You're as cold as ice

is a

1. Personification
2. Hyperbole
3. Metaphor
4. Simile

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? / Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” (Shakespeare)

1. understatement
2. hyperbole
3. metaphor
4. personificatie

Just like moons and like suns, / With the certainty of tides, / Just like hopes springing high, /
Still I'll rise.” (Maya Angelou)

1. metaphor
2. simile
3. personification
4. hyperbole

“Who has seen the wind? / Neither you nor I: / But when the trees bow down their heads, /
The wind is passing by.” (Christina Rosetti)

1. simile
2. personification
3. metaphor
4. hyperbole

Figurative Language Worksheet --> Handouts

Id

Provide an example of an understatement