English Language Arts
Grade 4
15 min
Interpret figures of speech
Interpret figures of speech
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the term 'figure of speech' and explain why authors use it.
Identify similes and metaphors in sentences and short paragraphs.
Differentiate between a simile and a metaphor based on the use of 'like' or 'as'.
Explain the meaning of simple personification and hyperbole.
Recognize onomatopoeia as a word that imitates a sound.
Interpret the author's intended meaning behind a common figure of speech.
Have you ever heard someone say 'I'm so hungry I could eat a horse'? 🐴 Did you think they were actually going to eat a horse?
In this lesson, you will learn about 'figures of speech,' which are special phrases authors use to make their writing more colorful and exciting. Understanding them helps...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Figure of SpeechA word or phrase that has a different meaning than its normal, literal meaning. It's a way to make language more interesting.Saying 'it's raining cats and dogs' is a figure of speech that means it's raining very heavily.
SimileA figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'.Her smile was as bright as the sun.
MetaphorA figure of speech that compares two different things by saying one thing *is* the other thing. It does NOT use 'like' or 'as'.The classroom was a zoo.
PersonificationGiving human qualities, feelings, or actions to an animal or an object.The wind whispered through the trees.
HyperboleAn extreme exaggeration used to make a point or be funn...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Like' or 'As' Test
If a comparison uses the word 'like' or 'as', it is a simile. If it doesn't, it might be a metaphor.
Use this rule to quickly tell the difference between a simile and a metaphor. Look for those two key words!
Think Beyond the Words
Ask yourself: 'What is the author *really* trying to say?'
Figures of speech are not meant to be taken literally. Think about the feeling or idea the author wants to share. For 'The classroom was a zoo,' the author means the classroom was wild and noisy, not that it had animals.
Picture It
Create a mental movie of what is being described.
When you read 'The stars were diamonds in the sky,' picture shiny diamonds. This helps you understand tha...
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Challenging
Read the passage: "The storm was a monster, roaring with fury. The wind howled like a hungry wolf outside the window." How do the metaphor and the simile work together?
A.They both give the storm scary, animal-like qualities to show its danger and power.
B.They both compare the storm to a person.
C.They both use exaggeration to show the storm is not real.
D.They show that the storm is beautiful and calm.
Challenging
Read the original sentence: "When I heard the good news, I was on cloud nine." Which of the following sentences best replaces the idiom while keeping the same intense, happy meaning?
A.I was feeling okay about the news.
B.I was extremely joyful and excited when I heard the news.
C.I was surprised by the news.
D.I thought the news was interesting.
Challenging
Read these two sentences: 1. 'The angry storm was a monster.' 2. 'The angry storm roared like a monster.' How does the meaning change from the metaphor (1) to the simile (2)?
A.The meaning does not change at all; they are identical.
B.The metaphor is less descriptive than the simile.
C.The metaphor is a stronger, more direct comparison, while the simile is slightly less direct but creates a similar image.
D.The simile suggests the storm is not real, while the metaphor suggests it is.
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