Name: ______________________________
Figurative Language Worksheet 1

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. Like burnt-out torches by a sick man's bed 

Which technique is being used? 

__________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)

	

2.  Drip—hiss—drip—hiss fall the raindrops / on the oaken log which burns, and steams,
and smokes the ceiling beams.  / Drip—hiss—the rain never stops.

Which technique is being used? 

__________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)

	

3.  When the stars threw down their spears, / And water'd heaven with their tears,

Which technique is being used? 

__________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)

	

4.  The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, 
     The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

Which technique is being used? 

__________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)

	

5.  I do not care to talk to you although / Your speech evokes a thousand sympathies,

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)	

6.  The sun was shining on the sea, / Shining with all his might:

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)	

7.  The leaves are little yellow fish / swimming in the river. 

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)	

8.  The old clock down in the parlor / Like a sleepless mourner grieves,

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)	

9.  By the lakes that thus outspread / Their lone waters, lone and dead / Their sad waters, sad and chilly

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)	

10.  Fame is a bee. / It has a song -- / It has a sting --

Which technique is being used? __________________________________________________________________________________
Simile, Metaphor, Personification, or Hyperbole

How do you figure?
(write a sentence explaining your answer)