Figurative Language
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Lone Star College System, Woodlands *
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Course
1301
Subject
English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by MatePelican4141
Skill Set: Figurative Language
Learning Module: #4 Collegiate Skills
Purposes: To recognize at least eight different kinds of figurative language. To identify and work with figurative language in general and academic writing and speech.
Reading selection: Open and read the attachment “A Nation Created ch.6.”
The attachment is from a historical novel. Topic Overview:
Figurative language (sometimes called rhetorical tropes or figures of speech) uses picture-
making words and phrases to enhance meanings. Figurative language is helpful to writers and speakers when they want to help their readers and listeners 1) make comparisons between two
items 2) find a creative way to look at something and 3) change a text from its literal meaning to more involved and exciting meanings. While language has more than 200 different kinds of rhetorical tropes, only about 25 kinds are common. You can use the internet to investigate all of these word wonders. To find them, just write figurative language in the search box.
The eight most common figures of speech:
Simile
: a comparison using like
, as
, or as if
Example:
The wrestler’s arms were as big as watermelons.
Example:
The free throw arched perfectly as if it were a rainbow.
Metaphor
: a comparison without using like, as,
or as if
Example:
The playroom was an oasis of toys.
Example:
“All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”
(This line, one of the best-known metaphors in Western literature, is from As You Like It
by William Shakespeare.)
Personification
: a comparison by giving animate qualities to something that is not alive
Example:
The leaves danced in the wind.
Hyperbole
: a great exaggeration often stated in a humorous manner
Example:
I can smell her ghastly perfume from a mile away.
Idiom
: an expression that has a meaning other than the ordinary meaning of the words
Example:
He is so dedicated to his job that he will not retire until he kicks the bucket.
Alliteration
: repetition of the first (initial) sound of two or more words written or spoken close together
Example of consonantal alliteration:
Slowly, slowly slides the slug, secretes a sluice of slime.
Example of vocalic alliteration:
All alleys in Aliceton, Alabama, align along Alligator Avenue.
Onomatopoeia
: words that sound like the sound made by the item referred to
Examples:
Buzz = circular saws and bees buzz. Oink = pig. Crackle = crumpling paper and falling trees and blazing fires. Swish, swish = dresses and tap, tap = shoes moving across the floor. Cheep = baby chicks. Caw, caw = crows. Screech = a fast stop.
Symbolism
: natural objects and words that represent ideas and qualities and other natural objects to suggest / enhance / expand / make clearer emotions and understanding
Example:
Flags of countries are symbolic of their respective countries. One worldwide use of flags as symbols is in sports where the winners of games played among different countries drape themselves in the flags of their countries as they run the winner’s lap or pose for award pictures.
Example:
Purdue University uses an abstract owl’s face as representative of its writing lab to emphasize the wisdom of writing in collaboration with other people. Find this symbol at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
.
Example:
Writers and speakers often mention colors when referencing beliefs, customs,
and feelings. Blue, for instance, represents calmness, self-confidence, strength, freedom, openness, and first place.
Irving Berlin’s famous 1926 song that many famous singers have performed over the last
century says, “Blue skies smiling at me. Nothing but blue skies do I see. Blue birds singing a song. Nothing but blue skies from now on.”
Another famous “blue” song is George Gershwin’s 1924 classical jazz Rhapsody in Blue
.
Assignment:
1.
Begin a new Word document and create an MLA heading and header. Examples and step by step directions for creating an MLA heading, and a header can on the HELPFUL LINKS document in the RESOURCES section of this course. Read the source carefully and
find at least four examples of different kinds of figurative language. Be sure to add a correct title to your assignment.
2.
Copy the following visual aid and complete the chart by placing the correct definition from the Answer Bank provided next to the type of figurative language.
Figurative Language
Definition
Metaphor
Alliteration
Hyperbole
Simile
Symbolism
Idiom: Personification
Onomatopoeia
Answer Bank
repetition of the first (initial) sound of two or more words written or spoken close together
words that sound like the sound made by the item referred to
a great exaggeration often stated in a humorous manner
natural objects and words that represent ideas and qualities and other natural objects to suggest / enhance / expand / make clearer emotions and understanding
a comparison by giving animate qualities to something that is not alive
a comparison using like, as, or as if
an expression that has a meaning other than the ordinary meaning of the words
a comparison without using like, as, or as if
3.
Copy and complete the following chart:
Page
#
Quote
Type of Figurative Language
67
“Next
, the task of actually putting together the formal document was placed in the hands of five members of Congress
.”
Idiom
68
“Reason third
—
you can write ten times better than I can
.
”
77
“But as the sky lightened
, an unusually heavy fog clung to the river and along its banks
. It completely hid the retreating soldiers
.”
4.
Copy the chart below. Then, locate three other examples of figurative language in the chapter and complete the chart as you did in #3.
Page
#
Quote
Type of Figurative Language
5.
For each example you found in #4, write a separate sentence that includes a signal phrase and an in-text citation. Use the following as an example:
Your preview ends here
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In Mark Thomas’ A Nation Created
, he includes “Next
, the task of actually putting together the formal document was placed in the hands of five members of Congress” as an idiom (67).
6.
Write a paragraph that evaluates the author’s use of figurative language. Incorporate two sentences you created in #5.
7.
Write an MLA citation on a Works Cited page. Information you will need is found in the Skill #12 assignment folder. There is also a link regarding writing a citation for a book in the Additional Resources section of this assignment.
Scoring rubric:
Scoring Criteria
Points earned/
Possible points
Assignment submitted on time (10 points)
xx
Correct MLA heading, header, and title (5 points)
xx
Definitions were correctly matched (10 points)
xx
The chart in #3 was copied and completed (5 points)
xx
Three examples were located, recorded, and correctly identified (15 points)
xx
Each example found was written in a complete sentence that includes a signal phrase and an in-text citation (15 points)
xx
A well-written paragraph was created and successfully evaluates the
use of figurative language (15 points)
xx
Correctly formatted MLA citation on a Works Cited page (15 points).
xx
Directions were followed completely (10 points)
xx
Notes from Instructor:
The red criteria listed above are eligible for a rescore. Take the original submission, make corrections, and resubmit before the Module closes. Only the highlighted criteria are available for a rescore.
Score- Additional Resources:
APA Reference List for Articles in Periodicals
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/
apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_articles_in_periodicals.html
Change text, image, and video sizes (zoom)
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/96810?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
MLA Works Cited Page: Books
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/
mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_books.html
MLA Works Cited: Periodicals
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/
mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_periodicals.html#:~:text=Periodicals
%20include%20magazines%2C%20newspapers%2C%20and,magazine%2C%20newspaper%2C
%20or%20journal