FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
That walk home took literally forever.
Hyperbole
A boy brought home his report card from school. His dad looked it over. His face became red as he said, "How did you manage to make one D and five F's?" The boy answered,"I guess I concentrated too hard on one subject."
What is to entertain?
The long hike up to the top of the mountain was extremely grueling. What does grueling mean?
What is tiring?
The part of plot that builds a conflict
Rising Action
Our love is a rose blooming in spring.
Metaphor
Recess should be 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes because you get a longer time to talk to your friends about all sorts of stuff. You also get a longer time to play the activities you're playing. We kids would get more exercise from being outside for a longer time. The teachers would get a longer break from teaching us and we would get a longer break from all that learning. That is why I think we should have a longer recess.
What is to convince?
The conspicuous man wore a purple wig and large sunglasses. What does conspicuous mean?
What is easily noticed?
The part of plot that provides closure for the conflict
Resolution
The bleachers cried under the weight of the jumping crowd.
Personification
Tigers are solitary animals and usually hunt at night. A male tiger will have a large range that will overlap with the ranges of several females. Females give birth to two or three cubs, which they raise and train for about two years. Tigers kill a variety of animals, including deer, antelope, wild pigs, and cattle. Tigers try to remain out of sight and hearing of their enemies, especially humans; they prefer fleeing to fighting. They can be killed by wild dogs, elephants, and water buffalos. Man-eating tigers are usually individuals who are too old or sick to capture wild animals.
What is to describe or explain?
I was so parched that I drank an entire glass of water in one gulp. What does parched mean?
What is thirsty?
The part of plot where the reader meets the character and setting
Exposition
The test was trickier than defusing a bomb
Simile
William is a strong and bossy boy. His athletic body is very tall and almost higher by one head than his classmates. He has dark and tough skin that looks muscular and is often wet and sweaty. Actually, he looks like a wrestler. Since he fights with several kids without any help and won finally, he has become an idol of his classmates and has a bunch of followers. Because of the power, William is arrogant and domineering. For example, when his thundering boasts rise in the boiling class, everybody keeps quiet and listens carefully. William is easily mad and jealous if someone disagrees with him.
What is to develop a character?
The delightful aroma of food cooking in the kitchen made my mouth water. What does aroma mean?
What is smell?
The part of plot where the outcome or path of the protagonist changes
Climax
Simile
In Tarpon Springs, Florida, there are people who work underwater. These people are called sponge divers. The kind of treasure they look for is called sponges. Sponge diving is not an easy job. The diver has to breathe under the water, and be careful of extreme water pressure.
What is to inform?
Marcia is a novice soccer player. It is her first day of practice. What does novice mean?
What is beginner?
The part of plot where the characters react to the turning point or change
Falling Action