This document provides an overview of common figures of speech including similes, metaphors, and personification. It defines each figure of speech and provides examples. Similes make comparisons between two things using like, as, or than. Metaphors make implicit comparisons. Personification gives human qualities to non-human things. The document encourages identifying figures of speech in literature and everyday language and analyzing their intended meanings. Exercises are provided to have the reader identify figures of speech and their types in passages.

1. Figures of Speech
Feature Menu
Figures of Speech
Simile
Metaphor
Personification
Review
Practice

2. Figures of Speech
Figure of speech—word or phrase that makes a
comparison between seemingly unlike things.
He collapsed onto the grass like a half-empty
flour sack.
from “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst
You’ll come across figures of speech—or figurative
language—in poetry, in prose, and in everyday
speaking and writing.

3. Figures of Speech
Figures of speech
• are not literally true
• make imaginative connections
• express meaning in fresh and
original ways
• often act as a kind of shorthand

4. Figures of Speech
Some figures of speech have become part of our
everyday language. We don’t even think about the
fact that they aren’t literally true.
He didn’t notice how quickly the time
flew by.
My heart leapt at the thought.
She must have gotten tied up in traffic.
His room is a pigsty.
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5. Simile
Simile—comparison between two unlike things,
using a word such as like, as, than, or resembles.
A lone oak tree stood in the front yard
like an aged but dedicated sentry.
The dew on the leaves glistened as
brilliantly as loose diamonds on silk.
That child’s eyes are warmer than the
summer’s sandy beach.

6. Simile
Quick Check
Identify the two
My mother has the prettiest tricks
similes in this
Of words and words and words. excerpt.
Her talk comes out as smooth and sleek
As breasts of singing birds.
......................
What meaning
We had not dreamed these things were so is expressed by
Of sorrow and of mirth. each simile?
Her speech is as a thousand eyes
Through which we see the earth.
—from “Songs for my Mother” by Anna
Hempstead Branch
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7. Simile
Quick Check
Identify the two
My mother has the prettiest tricks
similes in this
Of words and words and words. excerpt.
Her talk comes out as smooth and sleek
As breasts of singing birds.
......................
We had not dreamed these things were so
Of sorrow and of mirth.
Her speech is as a thousand eyes
Through which we see the earth.
—from “Songs for my Mother” by Anna
Hempstead Branch

8. Simile
Quick Check
What meaning
My mother has the prettiest tricks
is expressed by
Of words and words and words. each simile?
Her talk comes out as smooth and sleek
She has a
As breasts of singing birds. beautiful,
................. soothing voice.
We had not dreamed these things were so
The mother’s
Of sorrow and of mirth. words influence
Her speech is as a thousand eyes the children’s
Through which we see the earth. perceptions of
the world.
—from “Songs for my Mother” by Anna
Hempstead Branch

9. Metaphor
Metaphor
• comparison between two unlike things in which
one thing becomes the other
• does not use a word such as like or as
The flood waters rose, and
the river became a ravenous
monster. Raging on for
hours, it consumed
everything in its sight.

10. Metaphor
Poets use metaphors to make the reader think
about new ways of seeing things.
• What is the poet trying to say with this
metaphor?
My heart it was a floating bird
That through the world did wander free,
But he hath locked it in a cage,
And lost the silver key.
—from “The Prince” by Josephine Dodge Daskam

11. Metaphor
A direct metaphor directly compares two things
using a verb such as is.
His ideas were a flock of birds
in flight.
An indirect metaphor implies or suggests the
comparison.
His ideas spread their wings and soared freely.

12. Metaphor
Quick Check
Identify each
This computer is a dinosaur.
metaphor as
either direct
She stared at me with venomous or indirect.
eyes and hissed out her reply.
The old motorcycle barked and
yipped before it started up with
a howl.
Today my mind is the wind
blowing across rolling hills.
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13. Metaphor
Quick Check
Direct Identify each
This computer is a dinosaur.
metaphor as
either direct
She stared at me with venomous Indirect or indirect.
eyes and hissed out her reply.
The old motorcycle barked and Indirect
yipped before it started up with
a howl.
Today my mind is the wind Direct
blowing across rolling hills.

14. Personification
Personification—special kind of metaphor in
which human qualities are given to something that
is not human—an animal, an object, or an idea.
The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright.
—from “The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll
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15. Review
Quick Check
Identify each
Spring caresses the earth and
figure of speech.
sky with her warm, delicate hands.
• Simile
• Metaphor
Our friendship is as comfortable • Personification
as a pair of flannel pajamas.
The old factory had become a
heaving, grunting beast.
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16. Review
Quick Check
Identify each
Spring caresses the earth and
figure of speech.
sky with her warm, delicate hands.
Personification • Simile
• Metaphor
Our friendship is as comfortable • Personification
as a pair of flannel pajamas.
Simile
The old factory had become a
heaving, grunting beast.
Metaphor

17. Practice
Figures of speech are widely used.
Look through a newspaper or magazine, including
the advertisements, and gather at least six figures
of speech. Look for examples of similes,
metaphors, and personification.
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18. The End