Literacy Games KS2 - figurative language examples (personification, metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia, imagery and alliteration)

Explore figurative language with pupils using the activities in this resource pack, investigating examples of simile, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, imagery and alliteration.

Figurative language is often used to create imagery in poetry and narratives for effect and to add descriptions to create a vivid image for the reader. Pupils can use the cards to match figurative language definitions to examples and can use the images to create their own examples of figurative language to create character or setting descriptions.

What is a simile?

A simile is a figure of speech used to compare one thing to another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Simile examples

• Sharp as a tack
• She was as brave as lion

What is a metaphor?

A metaphor is a figure of speech where you say one thing (figuratively) is another thing.

Metaphor KS2 examples

• The sun is a creature of habit.
• Round green pebbles roll around on my plate.

What is onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia describes when a word sounds like the thing to which it refers. Each onomatopoeic word is like an imitation of the noise it describes. It is one of a number of poetic techniques with which children should be familiar by the end of KS2.

Examples of onomatopoeia in KS2

Bang, clang, thump, roar, hiss, buzz, smash, crash, click, boom, cough, gargle

What is personification?

Personification is when an author gives human characteristics to an object.

Personification examples

• The leaves danced in the wind.
• Floorboards groaned with every step.

What is imagery?

Writing descriptions that use a variety of the five senses creates imagery.

Examples of imagery

• The salty air greeted them as they headed towards the beach.
• Clouds drifted silently above as I lay on the damp grass.

What is alliteration?

Alliteration is the repetition of a sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence.

Examples of alliteration KS2

• The wreckage rested on the ragged rocks.
• The treat melts in your mouth.

What is included in this KS2 resources pack?

• Figurative language posters
• Figurative language heading cards
• Figurative language definition cards
• Figurative language example cards
• Figurative language blank example cards
• Images

This resource is part of the Effective Writing collection.
View more from this collection

• Figurative language posters
• Figurative language heading cards
• Figurative language definition cards
• Figurative language example cards
• Figurative language blank example cards
• Images
• Teacher notes