English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Interpret figures of speech
Interpret figures of speech
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify common figures of speech, including similes, metaphors, and personification, in literary texts.
Explain the literal and non-literal meanings of figures of speech.
Analyze how figures of speech contribute to a text's meaning, tone, or mood.
Differentiate between various types of figurative language, such as hyperbole and idioms.
Interpret the author's purpose in using specific figures of speech.
Articulate their interpretations of figurative language using textual evidence.
Ever read something and thought, 'Wait, what does that *really* mean?' 🤔 Sometimes words aren't meant to be taken literally, and that's where figures of speech come in!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to identify and interpret different typ...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SimileA comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'.Her smile was *as bright as the sun*.
MetaphorA direct comparison between two unlike things *without* using 'like' or 'as,' stating one thing *is* another.The classroom *was a zoo* after the bell rang.
PersonificationGiving human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or animals.The wind *whispered secrets* through the trees.
HyperboleAn extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.I'm so hungry *I could eat a horse*!
IdiomA phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its words.It's *raining cats and dogs*.
AlliterationThe repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close together.Peter Piper *picked a...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Look Beyond the Literal
Always assume a figure of speech means something *other* than its surface-level interpretation.
When you encounter unusual or exaggerated language, pause and consider if the author intends a non-literal meaning to create a vivid image or convey a deeper idea.
Identify the Comparison or Effect
Determine what two things are being compared (simile, metaphor) or what specific effect is being created (personification, hyperbole).
Pinpoint the elements involved in the figurative language. Is an object acting human? Is something being exaggerated? This helps you categorize and understand its purpose.
Consider the Context
Analyze the surrounding sentences, paragraphs, and the overall theme of the text to understand *why* the author chose that particular...
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Challenging
Read the lines: 'The angry storm pounded on the roof. / The wind screamed a lonely song. / The world was a dark, churning sea.' What is the overall mood created by this combination of figures of speech?
A.Threatening and chaotic
B.Peaceful and calm
C.Mysterious and exciting
D.Joyful and celebratory
Challenging
Consider two descriptions of a fast runner: 1) 'He ran as fast as the wind.' 2) 'He was a lightning bolt on the track.' Which statement best evaluates the difference in their impact?
A.The simile is more creative and original than the metaphor.
B.The metaphor 'lightning bolt' creates a more powerful and sudden image of speed than the more common simile 'fast as the wind.'
C.Both phrases create the exact same image and have an identical effect on the reader.
D.The simile suggests the runner is invisible, while the metaphor suggests he is electric.
Challenging
An author writes, 'Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul.' What is the most complex interpretation of this metaphor?
A.Hope is a type of bird that lives inside a person's body.
B.Hope is fragile and can fly away if you are not careful.
C.Hope is being compared to a bird, suggesting it is a living, gentle thing that can sing through hardship and can be easily frightened away.
D.Hope has feathers, which means it can keep a person's soul warm during difficult times.
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