24 Let's Talk: Figurative Language

We've spent our shared reading time this week learning about different types of figurative language. The previous post talked about idioms.

We've also learned about hyperbole, metaphor and simile.

Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to make a point. An example is: "That was the toughest Math test in the world!"

Metaphor and simile are two techniques that accomplish the same goal. Each compares one thing to another to show a resemblance.

Metaphor uses an implicit comparison (remember, implicit is another form of the word 'imply', which means 'to suggest something without actually saying it'). An example of a metaphor is, 'The yard was the size of a postage stamp."

Simile uses an explicit comparison (remember, explicit means stated clearly and directly). It might be easier to remember that simile uses words such as 'like' or 'as' to make the comparison. "His heart was a big as a whale.".

Idiom.

Hyperbole.

Metaphor.

Simile.

Those are the four types of figurative language we studied this week. 

But there are many, many more types. Other types of figurative language include: alliteration, personification and onomatopoeia. We'll learn about these and others later.

Discussion Points:

a. As you read each night this week, be on the lookout for metaphors, similes and hyperbole. When you find an example, write it down.
b. If you don't know, or forget, what any of these are, ask someone, like your mom or dad or me.
c. In your comment, quote the metaphor, simile or hyperbole you found. Include the title and and page number of the book from which it came.
d. Then explain what that quote means.

Let's collect figurative language!

23 Let's Talk: Idioms

The Merriam-Webster School Dictionary defines idiom as "An expression that can not be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole."

The American Heritage Dicionary defines idiom as "...an expression...that...cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements (words), as in keep tabs on."

We talked about an idiom as an expression that has an entirely different meaning than that of its individual words.

For example, an idiom we discussed today was "a screw loose". Taken literally, it means a screw has come loose it, when it should be tight. But we know that as an idiom, "a screw loose" really means someone is a bit odd, weird or different.

We also saw "nine bricks shy of a full load" in action. Taken literally, that expression would mean there is a load of bricks that is short nine. If you had paid for those bricks you would either want those nine bricks found or refunded. But we know that as an idiom, "nine bricks shy of a full load" really means some is a bit odd, weird or different, very similar to "a screw loose".


Discussion Points:
a. As you read each night this week, be on the lookout for idioms. When you find one, write it down.
b. If you don't know what the idiom means, ask someone, like your mom or dad or me.
c. In your comment, quote the idiom you found. Include the title and and page number of the book from which it came.
d. Then explain what that idiom means.

Let's collect idioms!