Figurative Language Worksheets

Figurative language helps make language both spoken and written more thrilling. This form of language makes the listener and reader think deeper and have a more personalized experience with the body of work. This why reading a book is much better than seeing a movie on just about any work of fiction. The goal of figurative language is to add a high level of impact and persuasion to what we are writing. They implore many different techniques to achieve this goal. They can use similes to offer a comparison between different things. They can use metaphors to add a more vivid detail to any sentence. Literal images can be used to heighten the emotions of a reader. Below you will find a collection of engaging worksheets that explore many different forms of figurative language. Students should start with the figures of speech and expanded their work from there.

Advanced Similes and Metaphors- Both of these forms of language strive to create a clear and vivid comparison the difference between the two is that similes always incorporate the use of the words "as" or "like".

Alliteration- This is when you have two words that are placed next to each other and they begin with the same or similar sounds. It results in a silly sound.

Allusion- This is a way to bring something up very subtly in an indirect manner. It is often used to reference things the author earlier disclosed.

Assonance- This is when you repeat a vowel through nearby words. This creates somewhat of an echo sound and makes for a cool language use.

Buzzwords- You will found these used in the business world frequently. They are often used to add a flare of sophistication.

Cliches- Cliches are mostly culture specific. They can often be way overused sayings that will over time tend to annoy people.

Conveying Ideas with Words and Phrases- Timing with words and phrases is often the key to getting your thoughts across in an impactful way.

Explaining Common Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs- Adages are well known proverbs that have been handed down from generation to generation. Idioms are nonliteral expressions that are culture focused. Proverbs are statements of wisdom that are put in simple terms.

Explaining Similes and Metaphors- Being able to explain a comparison is a huge skill for students to master.

Figurative, Connotative, and Technical Word Meanings- Words can have differing meanings based on the context and setting they are used in.

Figures of Speech- When we are trying to form a vivid sense, for readers, we will use sayings that are not to be taken literally.

Hyperbole- This is when an author puts in an almost nuclear form of an exaggeration. It is often meant to add humor to any work.

Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs- The tasks here help students learn to write and use the work of others. These are all relatively common sayings that are subtly different.

Imagery- Authors will often use language that will tap into the human senses of their readers. This helps them establish emotional connections to pieces.

Interpreting Figurative Language- This is a very subjective section that requires a good bit of deep thought. They may mean slightly different things to others.

Irony and Puns- Puns are often jokes or wordplays that lend themselves to a verb form. Irony are a form of language that often means the opposite of what is stated.

Literal and Nonliteral Meanings of Word and Phrases- When a word of phrase is to be taken literally, it should follow its exact definition. Nonliteral words and phrases are complete exaggerations.

Literary Devices- These are techniques that authors use to help their audience connect with their work. There are so many different forms of this that we are literally adding an entire new section each month that falls under this.

Literary Terms- There are different techniques that writers include to get their works to stick out a little more.

Metaphors- The old faithful comparison throughout time. They are used to describe an action or object in a way that is not meant to be taken literally.

Onomatopoeia- These are words that sound exactly like what they are describing. You will find them commonly to communicate animal sounds.

Oxymorons- These terms can he so hilarious when used properly and add a sense of comedy to just about any work.

Personification- When we try to make something seem more human. This can be a great way to help people relate to what ever it is.

Platitude- This type of language does have a purpose although most people do not think so.

Similes- These comparisons always include the words "as" or "like". They are often confused with metaphors, but if you see those two words it is not.

Symbolism- When we represent one thing for another. The Ying and Yang is used to symbolize a balance that we should all strive for.

Using Descriptive and Sensory Language in Writing- Being able to share as much as possible is huge. The more effort you put into it, the great your readers will connect to your work.

Using Words and Phrases For Effect- When you want to stress something. This technique can engage readers and keep them interested in your work.

Word Meanings From Context Phrases- You can often determine the intent of phrase from the context that surrounds it.

What Are the Different Forms of Figurative Language?

There are considered to be just under thirty different types figurative language used in forms of literature. Let's take a look at some of the most frequently used forms. Personification is one of the most often used types of figurative language. Like the name implies this is when we try to attribute a human characteristic or trait to something that is nonhuman. An example could be “The moon frowned upon us.”


Hyperbole is a method that is used to greatly exaggerate something to the point where it almost seems ridiculous. A few examples include the sentences: That bag weighs a million pounds. This was the worst day in history. Metaphors come in very handy when you are trying to explain an idea or make a comparison. Metaphors assert that something is another thing with the overall goal just to express that there exists some similarity. This is a form symbolism. Examples of metaphor use include the sentences: My school is a zoo of wild animals. The boys were like pigs at the dinner table. Similes are also a technique used to make comparisons. The difference between similes and metaphors is that similes almost always us the words “like” or “as”. Examples of similes include: You are as strong as an ox. I understand the directions as clear as crystal. We can also use oxymorons to join two completely opposite ideas to create an effect. Oxymorons often are a combination of an adjective followed by a noun. Example of this include: old news, deafening silence.


We also have forms of figurative language that we can use that build off of sounds. Onomatopoeia is when we use a word that represents a sound. Classic Batman television show fans really understand this. Examples of onomatopoeia would be the words “Bam, Pow, Sizzle, and Clang”. They can also work off of consonant sounds as in the device alliteration. An example of alliteration would be: Louie's llama licked the lamp. Forget consonants, you can also focus your efforts on vowels. You can use assonance which is a technique that uses repetitious vowel sounds. They are often called tongue twisters. For example here is an example of a repetitious long o sound- Go slow over the road.


How to Interpret Figurative Language

Interpretation of figurative language is a skill necessary to a reader's understanding of a particular literary as well as other academic works. Many students start showing a lack of interest in reading after reaching high school mostly because they cannot understand fully whatever they read. This inability to understand high school level literature and other complex text is mostly because of a reader's inability to interpret figurative language that is widely used in the higher level and complex texts. Therefore, students must be taught a variety of ways to help them with the interpretation of figurative language and the texts that use such a language. Some of the most common trick and tips to do that are as follows:


Know the Figurative Elements Completely


Figurative language comprises of similes, metaphors, personification, parabola, hyperbole, extended metaphors, alliterations, onomatopoeia, idiomatic expressions, and many others. It is a duty of the teachers and parents to teach the students about all these elements from an early age and keep on making the children revise these things so that their concepts about all these figurative tools are fully developed and deeply stored in their brains by the time they reach an age where they have to deal with these figurative elements almost all the time.


Know the Basic Functions of All the Figurative Elements


Most of the times, the reason behind all the writers using a specific figurative element in their works is mutual. The students must know what specific purposes a specific figurative element is commonly used to fulfill. If they know the function that a figurative element in a text is most likely to perform, it gets easier for them to interpret that specific statement and know the author's purpose behind using that particular figurative element in his or her writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Oxymoron Preview