π Reading Comprehension with Figurative Language (Grade 7)
Figurative language is a way of saying something other than the literal meaning of the words. Writers use it to make their writing more interesting and engaging. It can help create vivid images in the reader's mind and add depth to the text. Understanding figurative language is crucial for accurately interpreting what you read.
π History and Background
The use of figurative language dates back to ancient times. Orators and writers in Greece and Rome used rhetoric, which included various figures of speech, to persuade and captivate their audiences. Over time, these techniques evolved and became integral to literature across different cultures and periods.
π Key Principles of Figurative Language
- π Simile: A comparison using "like" or "as." Example: The runner was as fast as a cheetah.
- β¨ Metaphor: A comparison stating something *is* something else. Example: The world is a stage.
- π Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things. Example: The wind whispered secrets through the trees.
- β¬οΈ Hyperbole: An exaggeration. Example: I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
- π‘ Idiom: A phrase whose meaning isn't literal. Example: It's raining cats and dogs.
- π£οΈ Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
- π Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds. Example: The bee buzzed.
π Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples in context:
Passage: "The old house stood on the hill, a silent sentinel watching over the town. Its windows were dark eyes, and the wind sighed through its broken eaves like a mournful ghost. The sun beat down with fiery intensity, turning the fields into a golden ocean."
- ποΈ Silent sentinel: Metaphor (house is compared to a guard)
- π» Dark eyes: Metaphor (windows are compared to eyes)
- π¨ Wind sighed: Personification (wind is given a human action)
- π₯ Fiery intensity: Metaphor (Sun is compared to fire)
- π Golden ocean: Metaphor (fields are compared to an ocean)
π Practice Quiz
Read the following passage and identify the examples of figurative language:
"The city was a concrete jungle, teeming with life. Cars crawled like snails through the crowded streets, and the skyscrapers kissed the clouds. The news spread like wildfire, and soon everyone knew the secret. Time flew by during the exciting game."
- ποΈ Concrete Jungle: Metaphor (city is compared to a jungle)
- π Crawled like snails: Simile (cars are compared to snails)
- π’ Skyscrapers kissed the clouds: Personification (skyscrapers are given a human action)
- π₯ Spread like wildfire: Simile (news spreading is compared to wildfire)
- β±οΈ Time flew by: Personification (time is given a human action)
β
Conclusion
Figurative language adds richness and depth to writing. By understanding different types of figurative language, you can improve your reading comprehension and enjoy literature on a deeper level. Keep practicing, and you'll become a pro at spotting and interpreting these literary devices!