Week 1 – Figurative Language
ISHAMPOOZ is a key acronym we use to remember the key figurative language techniques.
We have provided you with the definition and an example.
ISHAMPOOZ Definition Example
Idioms Idioms are phrases that have a When pigs fly - it might never
meaning that is unclear from happen
what the phrase tells you.
Piece of cake - really easy
Simile A simile is a comparison Jake was as loud as someone
between two objects usually screaming in your ear.
used with words ‘like’ or ‘as’
Jasmine is like an innocent
angel.
Hyperbole A hyperbole is when you make a I am so hungry, I could eat a
throughly exaggerated state that horse!
is not to be taken seriously.
That weighs a billion pounds!
Mum will kill me for breaking her
vase.
Alliteration Alliteration is when two or more The tetchy tiger took the table
words start with the same sound top to take the food.
or letter.
Slippery snakes slither so slowly
so sneaking is easy for them.
Metaphor Metaphor is a figure of speech Leon is a giraffe.
in which a word or phrase is
applied to an object or action to Michael is a lion.
which is not literally applicable.
Life is a dream.
Personification Personification is when you give The daffodils swayed in the wind.
a non human object a human
characteristic. The wind howled in the night.
The sun smiled at us.
Oxymoron An Oxymoron is when two He was on a working vacation
words which have completely during the summer.
opposite definitions come
together. Douglas was acting naturally
when his parents saw the
broken mug.
Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is when the BANG! The bomb exploded.
formation of a word from a
sound associated with what is POP! The water ballon prayed
named. everyone with refreshing water.
Zoomorphism The man was as tall as a giraffe.
Zoomorphism is when you
have an object described with
Cameron is a tiger.
animal traits.
Jimmy was as cute as a baby
chimp.
Exercises
Identify what figurative language is used in the below examples:
1. All books are either dreams, or swords, You can cut, or you can drug, with words.
____________
2. In peaceful noises of the farm, and watch the pastoral fields burned by the setting sun...
____________
3. A watery light touched bleak the granite bridge, and white without the
slightest tinge of gold, the city shivered in the cold. ____________
4. And still they danced, until the moon sank low, Blushing a little, ____________
5. The stones of the field are sharp as steel. ____________
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Exercise
:Directions: Read each idiom and determine the meaning.
Idiom: A common expression understood figuratively, as the literal definition makes no sense.
1. Janet gushed over the sculpture in the antique shop, but Kevin thought that the craftsmanship was merely run of
the mill.
a. Something this is of exceptionally high quality
b. Something marked by creativity or originality
c. Something that is too expensive for the average person too afford
d. Something that is low quality, common or ordinary
2. After Michael missed three shots in a row and passed the ball to a player on the other team, the boys were only up
by two and they suspected that Michael would be the Achilles' heel of the team.
a. A person who performs well under pressure
b. A valuable contributor to a cause shared by many
c. A weakness in an otherwise strong entity
d. A person who inspires others to succeed
3. Lyle chose Marco for his partner, thinking that it would be fun to work with his best friend, but now that the
project was due tomorrow and the boys had nothing done, Lyle realized that he should have hitched his horse to a
different wagon.
a. When one wishes to have chosen different company than one is presently keeping
b. When one accepts responsibility for one's own involvement in an unfortunate event
c. When one understands that the only way to solve a problem is through hard work
d. When one determines that the best course of action is to tell the
truth
4. The prosecutor knew that the councilman had stolen public funds, but she wanted to get all of her ducks in a row
before she charged him with a crime.
a. She wanted to catch the councilman in the act
b. She wanted to take the time to properly prepare her case
c. She had other business to take care of before going after the councilman
d. She had to finish eating lunch before she went back to work
5. Vince knew that if he wanted to get into college, he'd have to keep his nose to the grindstone all senior year.
a. Vince would have to apply for college.
b. Vince would have to work hard for a whole year.
c. Vince would have to wait patiently for an opportunity.
d. Vince would have to stay out of trouble for a whole year.
6. Mrs. March was afraid of leaving the student teacher with her third period class because she feared that the student
teacher was a bit too green to be left alone with such a wild bunch.
a. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too inexperienced.
b. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too jealous of some of the students.
c. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too nice.
d. Mrs. March felt that the student teacher was too sick to handle the children.
WOW WORDS
Vocabulary List Definitions and Sentences
Word class
chary
Definition
Synonym Antonym
Sentence
Word class
clandestine
Definition
Synonym Antonym
Sentence
Word class
encipher
Definition
Synonym Antonym
Sentence
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WOW WORDS
Vocabulary List Definitions and Sentences
Word class
precarious
Definition
Synonym Antonym
Sentence
Word class
melancholy
Definition
Synonym Antonym
Sentence
Now you must try and use all these words in your writing task!
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Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Writing Task
‘The Letter’
Write a narrative piece in first person’s perspective using as many
figurative language techniques as possible. The title must reflect
the relevance of the letter!
PLAN
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My Narrative Writing Checklist
I have described the setting and atmosphere using descriptive language
I have introduced my character and described them well
I have introduced the story and plot at the beginning
I have shown feelings of my character(s) and used show not tell and ISHAMPOOZ
effectively
I have written effectively, used paragraphs/sensory devices and advanced vocabulary
I have checked my work and corrected any spelling, grammar or punctuation mistakes
Now go back and double-check your
Do not write below this line. For Markers only.
What Went Well
Creativity
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Structure
1 2 3 4
Relevance
1 2 3 4
Tone
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Figurative Language
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Grammar
1 2 3 4
Even Better If
Vocabular
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Paragraphin
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Punctuations
1 2 3 4
Presentation
1 2 3 4
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