Identifying Figurative Language #2
Directions: Read the lines of poetry. Slashes represent line breaks. Figure out which technique is being
used: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, or personification. In the boxes, explain how you figured out your
answer. It is possible that more than one technique is being used. If you can, explain each.
1. My soul has grown deep like rivers.
Which technique is being used? Simile
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Comparing her soul and rivers using the word “like” or “as.”
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
2. Bear in mind / That death is a drum
Which technique is being used? Metaphor
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____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Comparing death to a drum without using the word “like” or “as.”
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
3. It is dreams that have destroyed us.
Which technique is being used? Personification
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____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Dreams are given the human ability of destruction.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
4. Oh, never, if I live to a million, / Shall I feel such a terrible pain.
Which technique is being used? Hyperbole
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Nobody can live to a million; therefore, the speaker is exaggerating for
effect.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
5. He walked as softly as a cat / And told me many lies.
Which technique is being used? Simile
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Comparing the way he walks to that of a cat while using the word “like”
or “as.”
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
6. And then my heart with pleasure fills, / And dances with the daffodils.
Which technique is being used? Personification
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? The speaker gives his heart, and the daffodils, the human ability to
dance.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
7. The Balloons hang on wires / they float their faces on the face of the sky.
Which technique is being used? Personification
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? The speaker gives the balloons and the sky faces, a human
characteristic.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
8. With processions long and winding / With the countless torches lit
Which technique is being used? Hyperbole
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? The speaker is exaggerating the number of torches. Any number of
torches could be counted.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
9. My brain is fire--my heart is lead! / Her soul is flint, and what am I?
Which technique is being used? Metaphor
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? His brain is compared to fire; his heart is compared to lead; her soul is
compared to flint; the speaker is not using the word “like” or “as” to make the
comparisons.
(write a sentence explaining your answer)
10. But words is like the spots on dice: no matter how you fumbles ‘em, there’s times when they
just won’t come.
Which technique is being used? Simile
______________________________________________________________________________
____
Simile, Metaphor, P ersonification, or Hyperbole
How do you figure? Words are compared to the spots on dice using the word “like” or “as.”
(write a sentence explaining your answer)