Figurative Language
What type of figurative language compares two or more things using "Like" or "as" ?
simile
What is a group of lines in a poem called?
stanza
What is author's purpose?
The reason why the author is writing
What is central idea?
the main point or core meaning that an author wants the reader to understand
What is theme?
The message/lesson of the story.
Name three types of figurative language and their meaning.
:)
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.”
What is the name of the poetry feature where words at the end of lines sound the same, such as “star” and “are,” or “high” and “sky”?
rhyme
What are the three types of author's purpose?
Persuade, entertain, inform
“Students who study regularly tend to perform better on tests. They are more prepared, feel less stressed, and understand the material more deeply. Good study habits can make school easier.”
What is the central idea of this passage?
studying regularly helps students do better in school
“Liam lied to his parents about finishing his homework so he could play video games. The next day, he was unprepared for class and received a poor grade. He realized that his lie only made things worse.”
What is the theme of this passage?
honesty is important (or lying leads to consequences)
“Marcus said he was ‘so tired he could sleep for a year,’ but instead he stayed up playing video games all night.”
What type of figurative language is being used>?
hyperbole
“The wind whispered secrets through the tall pine trees,
While the leaves danced happily across the forest floor.
The sun peeked through the clouds as if it were smiling at the earth below.”
What literary device is used when non-human things, like wind, leaves, or the sun, are given human actions or feelings?
personification
“Did you know that students who read for just 20 minutes a day can improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills? Studies show that regular reading helps the brain grow stronger and more focused. If you want better grades, you should start reading every day.”
What is the author’s purpose?
to persuade
“Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface and are home to millions of living things. However, pollution and overfishing are harming marine ecosystems. Scientists are working to find solutions to protect ocean life.”
What is the central idea of this passage?
oceans are important but are being harmed and need protection
“Maria wanted to win the science fair more than anything. She spent weeks working on her project but refused help from her classmates. On the day of the fair, her experiment failed. Meanwhile, another student who had worked with a team succeeded. Maria realized she might have done better if she had accepted help.”
What is the theme of this passage?
teamwork and accepting help can lead to success
“The wind wrapped its icy fingers around the house and howled through the night.”
This passage mainly uses this type of figurative language.
personification
“The rain tapped softly on the rooftop all night long.
By morning, the streets were shiny and clean, and the air smelled fresh.
Sara looked out the window and smiled, knowing the storm had finally passed.”
What is the main idea of this poem?
a rainstorm passed and left everything clean and fresh
“Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level. As heat increases, the water changes from liquid to gas. This process is called evaporation, and it is part of the water cycle that helps move water through Earth’s atmosphere.”
What is the author’s purpose?
to inform
“Many schools are adding technology to classrooms, such as tablets and online learning programs. While some teachers believe this helps students learn faster and access more information, others worry it may reduce face-to-face interaction and critical thinking skills. As technology continues to grow, schools must decide how to balance digital tools with traditional teaching methods.”
What is the central idea of this passage?
schools are debating how to balance technology use in education because it has both benefits and drawbacks
“Ethan always tried to be perfect—perfect grades, perfect behavior, perfect everything. When he made a mistake during an important presentation, he felt like he had failed completely. Later, his teacher reminded him that mistakes are a natural part of learning and growth. Ethan began to see that being perfect wasn’t as important as trying his best and improving.”
What is the theme of this passage?
perfection is not necessary and mistakes help us grow (or learning comes from failure)
“After studying all night, Jenna said, ‘This test is a piece of cake.’ She smiled, feeling confident.”
The phrase “piece of cake” is an example of this type of figurative language.
Metaphor
“Jake stood at the edge of the field, watching his teammates celebrate the winning goal.
He had missed the shot earlier that could have won the game, and now he felt a heavy weight in his chest.
His coach gave him a pat on the back and said, ‘Good effort,’ but Jake kept his eyes on the ground, barely hearing the cheers around him.”
What can the reader infer about Jake’s feelings and mindset at the end of the poem?
Jake feels regretful and disappointed, and is still focused on his mistake despite others trying to comfort him
“Doctors recommend getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night, but most middle school students get far less. Studies show that lack of sleep can lead to trouble focusing, lower test scores, and mood changes. Imagine how much better your school day would be if you felt rested and alert instead of exhausted. Try going to bed just 30 minutes earlier tonight—you might be surprised by the difference.”
What is the author’s purpose in this passage?
to persuade
BONUS: A student will hold a basket and ONE team member needs to make the ball into the basket. You will only have ONE try.
500 points :D
“Jordan had always been the fastest runner on the team, and he made sure everyone knew it. When a new student, Alex, joined and quietly started winning races, Jordan felt threatened. Instead of practicing harder, he began making excuses and avoiding competitions. By the end of the season, Alex had improved even more, while Jordan realized his own skills had slipped from lack of effort.”
What is the theme of this passage?
jealousy and pride can hold you back from improving (or that avoiding challenges prevents growth)