Smiley-Face Tricks Figurative Language

Techniques to make your reader smile!

SIMILE

A comparison between two unlike things using the word “like,” “as,” or occasionally “than.”

My little brother Sam is like a constant shadow, always lurking around behind me.

Our sub Mr. Wickman is as tall as a skyscraper.

I’m faster than a fighter jet in battle when I’m rollerblading.

METAPHOR

A direct comparison between two unlike things, stating that one thing is another, or implying

that it is.

My life is a twisting road with a surprise around each corner.

Homework is a bloody-fanged beast eating away my free time.

I’m in the autumn of my life; all is colorful, but only briefly!

Are the Following ExamplesMetaphors or Similes?

My students are bright, shining stars.

METAPHOR

Monday mornings are an enemy to be defeated.

METAPHOR

Life is an amazing labyrinth; you never know what will be around the corner.

METAPHOR

My sister’s bedroom looks like Hurricane Irene walloped it!

SIMILE

Their laughter is a gift from angels.

METAPHOR

I’m a rocket on fire when I’m on my quad.

METAPHOR

We sneaked down the stairs quieter than a falling feather.

SIMILE

Veins are highways for our blood.

METAPHOR

A great book is like hanging out with a best friend.

SIMILE

Those clouds look like mounds of breezy, white cotton candy.

SIMILE

Our teacher’s eyes are lasers that never miss the mark when looking for classroom mischief.

METAPHOR

NOW, MORE TECHNIQUES…

Which Technique is Being Used?

• Onomatopoeia? • Personification? • Hyperbole? • Alliteration? • Assonance? • Hyphenated Modifier?

FIRST, SOME REFRESHERS!

ONOMATOPOEIA

The use of words to mimic sounds.

Who’s rapping and knocking on the door?

Is that bacon sizzling?

Cockroaches scuffled across the floor in science class.

PERSONIFICATION

Giving human qualities to non-human things; the quality must be something it cannot

naturally do.

My i phone is tired and sore from all my texting.

The flag stood tall and proud on the site of the former twin towers on 9/11.

HYPERBOLE

An almost outrageous exaggeration, usually for comic effect.

I hate my nose because it’s the size of Texas!

We love Ireland so much, our blood is green.

ALLITERATION

The repetition of consonant sounds.

Tall evergreen trees tilted to and fro gracefully in the timid breeze.

I suffered a slippery fate after stepping on soap.

Many monkeys were munching on mangoes.

ASSONANCE

Repetition of vowel sounds.

All right! Let’s fight, fight, fight with all our might!

Let’s go and face our foe, so our reputation will grow.

HYPHENATED MODIFIER

A string of hyphenated words that, together, act as an adjective.

Sam is a keep-your-secrets-safe type of loyal friend.

Mr. Liptak is a strict, will-not-tolerate-foolishness teacher.

The day before the big science test I was in a oh-my-goodness-I’m-going-throw-up panic!

Are the Following Examples:

• Onomatopoeia? • Personification? • Hyperbole? • Alliteration? • Assonance? • Hyphenated Modifier?

My backpack is grumpy and tired from the heavy load of books in its belly.

PERSONIFICATION

Mr. Easton is so furious that his face looks ready to burst open like an overripe tomato!

HYPERBOLE(A SIMILE, TOO!)

Why did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers? Who pickled them before they were picked? This is puzzling!

ALLITERATION

Ms. Hart had her I’m-not-listening-to-another -ridiculous-excuse face on this morning.

HYPHENATED MODIFIER

“Stamp your feet to kill defeat!” our coach yelled.

ASSONANCE

We quickly shooshed down the slope on the newly fallen snow.

ONOMATOPOEIA

A foolish frog fell off a lily pad while fanning itself.

ALLITERATION

Gravel scrunched under our feet as we trudged along the eerie, isolated road.

ONOMATOPOEIA

Your attitude is so awful, it smells like garbage!

HYPERBOLE(AND SIMILE)

I saw a fox in socks eating lox while sitting on a box.

ASSONANCE

We are a can’t-be-beat-by-anyone hockey team!

HYPHENATED MODIFIER

My scissors attacked the paper with vengeance!

PERSONIFICATION

When Using Tricks,Avoid Clichés

A cliché is tired, worn-out phrase that most people within a culture

or geographic region are familiar with.

I’m under the weather today.

It’s par for the course.

The more the merrier!

I have an ax to grind with you, young man!

He’s turning fifty, which is over the hill.

Put on a happy face and don’t be sad.

You are in for a treat today, Dumplings!

You have ants in your pants today!

What Does Each Cliché Mean?

More…

• It was all in a day’s work.• I’ll help you at the drop of a hat.• I’m as snug as a bug in a rug in this sleeping bag.• You are barking up the wrong tree.• His recommendation is my ace in the hole.• She’s mad as a hatter; where does she get her ideas?

SO…

AND USE ORIGINAL: