Figurative Language

A simile is a type of figurative language that describes something by comparing it to something else with the words like or as.

I know that definition like the back of my hand.

Those two are as different as night and day.

He stood out like a sore thumb.

That answer is as clear as mud.

The mouse is as dead as a doornail.

A metaphor is a word or phrase used to describe something as if it was something else. (a statement where you are saying that one thing is another)

Life is a roller-coaster

Mary's voice is music to my ears

You are my sunshine

Franklin has a heart of gold

The world's a stage

Personification is when an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. (human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman things)

My alarm yelled at me this morning.

My computer works very hard.

The sunflowers hung their heads.

This advertisement speaks to me.

Can you see that star winking at you?

An onomatopoeia is a word that actually looks like the sound it makes, and we can almost hear those sounds as we read.

slam, splash, bam, babble, gurgle, boom

words for the sounds animals make:

Dogs bark, ruff, woof, and howl. Cats meow, hiss, and purr. Frogs croak, chirp, and ribbit. Cows go moo. Horses neigh and whinny.

words for the sounds made by water:

Rain pitter-patters, drip-drops, and rat-a-tats on the tin roof. Rivers rush. Oceans crash, roar, and thunder against the shore.