Figure of speech Lesson

A simile compares two unlike things using the words like or as.

It is not a simile if they are not comparing anything.

If the sentence says "I like PIzza" it is not a simile because they did not compare anything.

An example of a simile would be, "She was as pretty as the sunset". Notice how they compared "she" to a "sunset" while using the word "like" which makes it a simile.

Metaphors compare two, unlike things that are similar.

A metaphor does not use the words "like" or "as" to compare.

An example of a metaphor would be, "He is a shining star". Notice how they compared "he" to a "shining star", two, unlike things.

An idiom is an expression that represents a nonliteral meaning. This means they saying is not true/ real.

Idioms are used to make writing more interesting.

An example of an idiom is "Don't let the cat out of the bag" which means "Don't tell the secret!"

Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds.

An example of alliteration is "Sheep should sleep in a sled" Notice how the "Sh" repeats in "sheep" and "should". Also, notice how the "sl" sound repeats in "sleep" and "sled".

A hyperbole is an exaggerated statement

Don't confuse idioms with hyperbole! Idioms are popular phrases used to make writing more interesting where hyperbole is a statement used to make a statement dramatic or exaggerated.

An example of hyperbole would be, "This bag weighs a ton!" but obviously, the bag doesn't actually weigh a ton! (nobody could lift a bag that weighed that much!) but, they said this phrase to exaggerate how heavy the bag is.

Onomatopoeia is a word that mimics a sound.

Examples of onomatopoeia include "buzz", "Swish", "Zap", "Boom"....

Personification is giving non-human things human traits.

An example of personification includes"Lightning danced across the sky"

Notice how the word "danced" is being personified because it is the human trait that is being given in the sentence.