The elements of figurative language are like the spices one might add to a soup. Some add excitement and comedy, while others help to increase the depth of one’s writing. Without figurative language, writing would be quite bland! So, what are the 7 TYPES OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?

Similes compare two unlike things using words like “like ” or “as” to show a common quality they share. 

Examples:

“He is like an angel.”

This simile could be used by a teacher to express how well-behaved a student is. The boy isn’t really an angel; however, his good behavior and polite manners are compared to an angel’s kindness. 

“The boxer is as strong as an ox.”

The man and the ox are being compared to one another in strength using the word “as” to connect the two.

Metaphors compare two things without using the words “like” or “as”. Metaphors often use words such as “is”, “am”, “was”, “are”, and “has”. 

Examples:

“Those shoes are a game changer in fashion.”

The sneaker lover compares the shoes to a revolutionary change in the world of fashion without using “like” or “as”. 

“She is a star!”

The singer is being compared to a star, which has a similar effect of saying, “She is so talented!”

Alliteration occurs when two or more words with the same beginning sound are in the same sentence. 

Examples:  

“Sally sells seashells by the seashore!”

This well-known tongue twister is a great example of alliteration.

“Tina is test-driving a Tesla in Texas on Tuesday.”

Alliteration can be found in writing or even in how you speak. 

“Katie carries carts of kangaroos.”

Alliteration can also be used with different letters, as long as they make the same sound.

Hyperbole is a type of figurative language that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or add humor to your writing. 

Examples:

“We’ve got enough food here to feed an army!”

One example is a phrase commonly said on Thanksgiving. Although a family may indeed have a lot of food cooked and ready to eat, chances are, there probably isn’t enough of it to truly feed a whole army. 

“I’ve seen this movie a hundred times.”

The speaker is exaggerating the fact that they’ve seen the film a few times by overestimating the number to 100.

Idioms are expressions that have meanings different from the literal meaning of the words. 

Examples:

“That boy’s name is on the tip of my tongue!”

Someone might say this idiom if they’ve met someone recently but can’t quite remember their name. This idiom indicates that the boy’s name is familiar, but the speaker cannot recall it well enough to know what it is. 

“Don’t beat around the bush! Tell me if I got the job or not!”

Although there is no literal bush someone must get around, the speaker wants the other person to be upfront and honest about whether they got the job, rather than avoiding the topic.

Onomatopoeias imitate the natural sounds that something makes. 

Examples:

If you were writing about a glass bottle falling to the ground, you might use the onomatopoeia “Crash!” to imitate the sound that it would have made in real life. 

Another example could be writing about a thunderstorm, using the onomatopoeia “Boom!” to convey the sound of thunder.

Personification is a type of figurative language that describes a non-human object, nature, or animal as having human characteristics. 

Examples:

“That cake is calling my name!”

The frequently used phrase personifies the inanimate object, the cake, by adding human characteristics (talking).  

“My kitchen is in need of some serious TLC!”

TLC means tender loving care, as in giving TLC to a newborn baby. The inanimate object, the kitchen, doesn’t actually need to be fed and coddled like a human child. Instead, the phrase personifies the kitchen, presenting it as a place that needs cleaning or renovation.

I hope this helps! See below for more blogs and resources to support your figurative language instruction!

Keep rockin’!,

Pam

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE MENTOR TEXT