What is
fi gurative
language?
It is a language that goes beyond the
literal meaning of words to get a
message or point across.
Simile
It is a comparison of two unlikely things
using like or as.
Examples:
1. The poster is as pretty as a
bouquet of flowers.
2. She runs like a cheetah.
Examples of similes from poems
“His face burnt like a brand"
Explanation: This simile compares the highwayman’s flushed face to a burning
brand, indicating intensity and passion.
metaphor
It is a comparison of two unlikely things that does
not include the word like or as.
Examples:
1. This room is an oven.
2. The puppy is a bundle of joy.
The Tyger" by William Blake
Metaphor: Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night
Explanation: The tiger is metaphorically described as "burning bright,"
suggesting its fierce, powerful presence
personifi cation
It is an act of giving human qualities to non-human
things.
Examples:
1. The sun sings every morning.
2. The playground invites us to come
and play.
The Moon" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Personification: The moon has a face like the clock in the hall; / She shines on
thieves on the garden wall
Explanation: The moon is given the human attribute of having a face, making it
seem more personal and watchful.
Hyperbole
It is used to show extreme exaggeration.
Examples:
1. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
2. The building could touch the clouds.
I Am a Rock" by Paul Simon
Hyperbole: I have my books / And my poetry to protect me; / I am shielded in my
armour.
Explanation: Simon exaggerates the emotional protection his books and poetry
provide, suggesting they are as strong as physical armour.
Imagery
Imagery is a literary device that uses descriptive language to
create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It appeals to the
five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—helping to
make writing more dynamic and engaging.
Type of Imagery Example Description
"The sunset painted the sky with
brilliant hues of orange, pink, and Describes the colors and the scene
Visual Imagery
purple, as the golden sun dipped below of a sunset vividly.
the horizon."
"The leaves rustled in the gentle
Captures the sounds of the
Auditory Imagery breeze, and the distant call of an
environment, making it feel alive.
owl echoed through the forest."
"The kitchen was filled with the
Describes the smell of bread
mouthwatering aroma of freshly
Olfactory Imagery baking, making the reader almost
baked bread, its warm, yeasty scent
able to smell it.
wafting through the air."
"The tartness of the lemon pie
Describes the taste of a lemon pie,
Gustatory Imagery danced on her tongue, mingling with
making it more vivid and delicious.
the sweet, buttery crust."
"The rough bark of the tree scratched Describes the feel of the bark and
Tactile Imagery against her skin, and the cool, damp the earth, making the reader almost
earth squished beneath her bare feet." able to feel them.
Daffodils" by William Wordsworth
Imagery:
A host, of golden daffodils; / Beside the lake, beneath the trees, / Fluttering and
dancing in the breeze."
Explanation: Wordsworth's use of visual and kinesthetic imagery paints a vivid
picture of a field of daffodils swaying gently in the wind, creating a joyful and
uplifting scene.
onomatopoeia
A word that sounds like the noise or action it is describing.
Examples:
1. The jet zoomed across the sky.
2. The old car clattered down the street.
The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes
Onomatopoeia: Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard.
Explanation: "Clattered" and "clashed" replicate the sounds of the horse’s hooves
on the cobblestones, adding to the vivid action and tension of the scene.
Alliteration
Alliteration is where the same consonant sound is repeated at the
beginning of multiple words in close succession.
Examples:
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
Sally sells seashells by the seashore
The Tyger" by William Blake
Alliteration : Tyger Tyger, burning bright, / In the forests of the night
Explanation: The repetition of the 't' sound in "Tyger Tyger" and the 'b' sound in
"burning bright" draws attention to the subject and creates a striking auditory
effect.
