IXL | Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone

Read the text. The figure of speech is shown in bold.

Dani loved all beautiful things, and in this field of flowers he was as happy as a child could be. The sun shone on him and the flowers smiled up at him, and Dani told himself stories about tiny goblins who lived in caves under the snow.

What does this example of personification tell you?

It suggests that the flowers change shape as the boy passes.

It suggests that the flowers make the boy happy.

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Learn with an example

question

Read the text. The figure of speech is shown in bold.

In the dusky light, she walked around the courtyard to the back of the large adobe and wood house. There she found Mama searching the horizon, too.

"Mama, my finger. An angry thorn stabbed me," said Esperanza.

"Bad luck," said Mama.

What does this example of personification tell you?

It suggests that the thorn is actually a bee.

It suggests that the thorn prick is painful.

key idea

Figures of speech are words or phrases that use language in an unusual way. Figures of speech often show important things about a text's characters, setting, events, or tone (general sound or feeling).

Hyperbole is using very extreme or unrealistic descriptions to talk about something. These descriptions are usually not possible in real life. Hyperbole can show strong emotions or create humor.

She flashed me a smile brighter than sunshine when I opened the door.

—Laura Bowers, Beauty Shop for Rent: . . . fully equipped, inquire within

Personification is describing nonhuman things as if they were people. Personification can make animals, objects, or ideas seem more human.

The wind was singing everywhere in the trees.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery, Pat of Silver Bush

A simile uses like or as to compare two things that are not actually alike. A simile helps readers use their senses to understand a text.

A tear on Mrs. Bump's cheek shone like a diamond in the starlight.

—C. R. Bryan, Bump's Circus

A metaphor compares two things that are not actually alike, without using like or as. A metaphor also helps readers use their senses to understand a text.

They were all there, silent, husky, and dry, with eyes of steel.

—Rudyard Kipling, The Second Jungle Book

solution

Anger can be described as a sharp or harsh feeling. So, this example of personification suggests that the thorn prick is painful.

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H.3Determine the meanings of similes and metaphors

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