Transcript Why Use Figurative Language?

Literal vs. Figurative
Language
How do I differentiate between
literal and figurative language?
1
Activator
What does this really mean?
It’s raining cats and dogs.
2
Activator
What does this really mean?
Break a leg!
3
Literal vs. Figurative
Literal
means straightforward
or factual/It means exactly
what it says.
–When someone says “I mean
that literally.” They mean
“exactly” -- just the facts!
4
LET’S START WITH
LITERAL
I’m tired and I’m going home.
This means “I’m tired and I’m going home.” There
is no other meaning other than what is said.
I mean exactly what I
stated.
5
A
Literal vs. Figurative
figurative meaning is far more
interesting. It is imaginative, and
conveys not just the facts, but an
idea.
– Figurative meanings encourage
us to use our imagination.
6
FIGURATIVE
To be figurative is to not mean what
you say but to imply something else.
For example: If I tell you, “You’re the apple of my eye…”
…I’m not saying that
you are a piece of
fruit in my eye.
7
Literal vs. Figurative
Example
of Figurative
Language:
–Marvin runs like a duck.
8
Literal vs. Figurative
We
know that Marvin does not
run exactly like a water bird.
But, it wouldn’t portray quite
the same visual if we said
“Marvin is awkward and he
waddles when he runs.”
So, we compare Marvin to a
duck to paint a mental picture.
9
Literal vs. Figurative
Confused?
Think of it this way:
Literal is stated directly.
Figurative is imaginary.
10
Why Use Figurative Language?
Also known as
descriptive
language,
figurative
language helps
the writer paint a
picture in the
reader’s mind.
11
“This test is a piece of cake.”
Literal
Figurative
TEST
12
“My cat is a bolt of lightning.”
Literal
Figurative
MEOW!
13
“It is raining cats and dogs!”
 What
would it
LITERALLY mean
if it rained cats
and dogs?
 What
does it
FIGURATIVELY
mean if someone
says it rained cats
and dogs?
Practice your own drawing!
On one side of the paper draw the LITERAL meaning and on
the other side draw the FIGURATIVE meaning.
14
LET’S PRACTICE!
Brian was a wall, bouncing every tennis ball
back over the net.
Brian was NOT LITERALLY a wall!
What is this saying about Brian?
a. He was a strong tennis player.
b. He was very tall.
c. He kept missing the balls.
d. His body was made of
cells.
15
LET’S PRACTICE!
We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy
hadn’t been such a pig.
Tammy was NOT LITERALLY a pig!
Tammy was being compared to a pig because she
__________.
a. looked like a pig
b. ate like a pig
c. smelled like a pig
d. was as smart as a pig
16
LET’S PRACTICE!
Cindy was such a mule. We could not get her
to change her mind.
Cindy was NOT LITERALLY a mule!
The metaphor “Cindy was such a mule” compares Cindy to a
mule because she was __________.
a. always eating oats
b. able to do hard work
c. raised on a farm
17
d. very stubborn
Practice
Use figurative language to make
these sentences more colorful.
Kevin ate his dinner
quickly.
2. Mandy likes to talk a lot.
3. Jennifer is not intelligent.
1.
18
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful. Use
figurative language.
1.
Kevin ate his dinner
quickly.
Kevin ate like a pig.
19
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful.
Use figurative language.
2.
Mandy likes to talk a lot.
Mandy talks a mile a minute.
20
Let’s Practice
Make these sentences more colorful. Use
figurative language.
3.
Jennifer is not intelligent.
Jennifer is not the brightest
crayon in the box.
21
Questions
1. Read the poem below and use the figurative
language images to help determine the subject
matter of the poem.
The Ball Dances
A big flaming ball of fire
Prances across the sky each day
But perishes every night
A rebirth occurs the next morning
And because of it
Life is possible
A.
B.
C.
D.
sun
star
moon
earth
22
Questions
1. Read the poem below and use the figurative
language images to help determine the subject
matter of the poem.
The Ball Dances
A big flaming ball of fire
Prances across the sky each day
But perishes every night
A rebirth occurs the next morning
And because of it
Life is possible
A.
B.
C.
D.
sun
star
moon
earth
23
Questions
2.
The saying in our family was, "If Mama drops a
biscuit, jump out of the way or risk losing a
toe." This is another way of saying
Mama is very clumsy.
B. the biscuits she bakes are hard.
C. the biscuits are soft and chewy.
D. if Mama drops a biscuit, she will step on your
toe.
A.
24
Questions
2.
The saying in our family was, "If Mama drops a
biscuit, jump out of the way or risk losing a
toe." This is another way of saying
Mama is very clumsy.
B. the biscuits she bakes are hard.
C. the biscuits are soft and chewy.
D. if Mama drops a biscuit, she will step on your
toe.
A.
25