Summary
Daniel covers five figurative language devices — simile, metaphor, idiom, hyperbole, and personification — in one thorough 15-minute lesson. Each device is defined with multiple examples from literature and everyday speech. A comprehensive figurative language overview for grades 3–5.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning of words to create vivid images.
- What is the difference between simile, metaphor, and personification?
- "It's raining cats and dogs" — what type of figurative language is this? What does it really mean?
- Why do authors use figurative language? What does it add to writing?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: figurative language, simile, metaphor, idiom, hyperbole, personification, literal, non-literal.
Try it: Write one example of each of the five types of figurative language about the same topic (your classroom, a thunderstorm, or recess).