English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Classify figures of speech
Classify figures of speech
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify similes and metaphors in literary texts.
Distinguish between personification and hyperbole.
Recognize idioms and their non-literal meanings.
Classify examples of alliteration and onomatopoeia.
Explain the effect of different figures of speech on a text.
Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar figurative language.
Ever read a sentence that paints a vivid picture in your mind, even if it's not literally true? 🎨 Let's unlock the secrets of how writers make words dance!
In this lesson, you'll learn to identify and classify different types of figures of speech, like similes, metaphors, and personification. Understanding these literary tools will help you better comprehend what you read and make your own writing more v...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SimileA comparison between two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as'.Her smile was as bright as the sun.
MetaphorA direct comparison between two unlike things, stating that one thing 'is' another.The classroom was a zoo.
PersonificationGiving human qualities, characteristics, or actions to inanimate objects or animals.The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
HyperboleAn extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect, not meant to be taken literally.I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
IdiomA phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its individual words.It's raining cats and dogs.
AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words that are close together.Peter...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Comparison Clues for Simile & Metaphor
If you see 'like' or 'as' used to compare two different things, it's a simile. If it states one thing *is* another without these words, it's a metaphor.
Use this rule to distinguish between direct and indirect comparisons. Similes use comparison words, metaphors make a direct statement.
Human Actions for Personification
If an object or animal is described as doing something only a human can do, it's personification.
Apply this rule when an inanimate object or animal is given human-like qualities or actions to make the description more vivid.
Exaggeration Test for Hyperbole
If a statement seems impossible, ridiculously over-the-top, or far-fetched, it's likely hyperbole, used for dramatic...
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Challenging
Read the sentence: 'The cruel winter wind whispered a wicked warning.' Which list correctly identifies all the figures of speech used?
A.Personification and Alliteration
B.Metaphor and Simile
C.Hyperbole and Onomatopoeia
D.Idiom and Personification
Challenging
In an argumentative essay to persuade a town to build a new library, an author writes, 'Our current library is a closet overflowing with the dusty bones of forgotten books.' Why would the author choose this metaphor?
A.To suggest the library is a fun and mysterious place to visit.
B.To create a strong negative image of the library as small, old, and neglected, thus supporting the argument for a new one.
C.To accurately describe the library's dimensions and the age of its books.
D.To praise the library for its historical collection of books.
Challenging
A story needs to describe a character's sudden realization. Which of the following metaphors would create the most effective and clear image of this moment?
A.The idea was a slow-moving train.
B.The idea was a tangled knot.
C.The idea was a lightbulb flashing on in his head.
D.The idea was a deep, dark well.
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