Are you teaching your students about figurative language? These free Figurative Language Anchor Charts will be helpful.
Figurative Language Anchor Chart
Each poster/card has a definition and an illustrated example. The figurative language covered in this pdf download are alliteration, hyperbole, idioms, metaphors personification, onomatopoeia, and similes. Scroll down to gain access.
What is Figurative Language?
Figurative Language uses words that normally mean something different. The purpose of figurative language is be more effective in communicating your point. Often times figurative language is more impactful to the reader and can help them visualize the point you are trying to get across.
Figurative Language Doesn’t Use the Literal Meaning
When using figurative language, the words you use are not being literal, such as “life is a rollercoaster.” Is life really a rollercoaster? No, but when you use that phrase people understand that you are referring to the ups and downs in life.
Different Types of Figurative Language
hyperbole – an exaggeration of a statement that adds emphasis, not to be taken literally.
example of a hyperbole: I am drowning in homework
idioms – a phrase that’s commonly used that often doesn’t make sense in literal terms.
example of an idiom: It’s raining cats and dogs (my favorite type of figurative language)
metaphors – a word that shows comparison of two things, suggesting that they are the same thing, although not literally true.
example of a metaphor: Life is a rollercoaster
personification – applying human characteristics to something not human.
example of personification That cake was calling my name
onomatopoeia – a word that imitates the sound or action of a thing it is describing.
example of onomatopoeia: boom, bang, gasp
similes – comparing one thing with another for emphasis using “like” or “as”
examples of similes: she swims like a fish; he runs like a horse
For a fun time, ask your students to come up with their own examples!
Figurative Language Anchor Chart PDF Download
This set of anchor charts includes a colorful chart that defines each word and shows an example and uses a fun graphic to represent each term. The first poster can be printed and laminated and put on the wall.
Figurative Language Cards
Also included is a set if figurative language task cards for building vocabulary. One set includes all the info on the card. Another set includes cards with the name, associated graphic and example.
These figurative language cards would work great for for games, review, and memory matching. Lastly, there are printable bookmarkers with one term per bookmark.
In Conclusion
If you are looking for a fun learning tool to help you teach the major types of figurative language, an anchor cart works great, especially for visual learners. You can print one off and add it to your collection of graphic organizers.
Anchor charts are terrific memory aids and make for an easy way to learn the elements of figurative language. When students use figurative language in their own writing, it can spice it up.
A great way to learn about figurative language is to teach students to use context clues to figure out meanings.
Carrie Fernandez is the founder of Homeschool Giveaways and owner of Daily Skill Building. She has been homeschooling for over 18 years, has two girls and works side by side at home with her awesome husband. She has been saved by grace, fails daily, but continues to strive toward the prize of the high calling of being a daughter of the Most High God.