Literal and Figurative Language…
Literal language is when we say what we mean. Like ‘The news van is parked outside,’ or ‘Meeting new people makes me nervous.’
Figurative language can be anything that doesn’t mean what it says literally.
Daisy and Rachel are chatting over dinner. Daisy admits she was nervous about meeting Rachel. Rachel tells Daisy that he also has a few butterflies in her stomach. ‘What an odd thing to say,’ Daisy thinks. ‘Did she eat some butterflies?’
Unfortunately, Daisy doesn’t realise Rachel is speaking figuratively, not literally.
After dinner, Rachel offers Daisy a lift back because the weather forecast says it’s going to rain cats and dogs.
Obviously, Rachel is not going to physically lift Daisy all the way home, nor does she mean pets are going to fall from the sky. She’s speaking figuratively.
“Aha, I think I’ve finally got the hang of this figurative language,” says Daisy, “Though it literally does look like it’s rained cats.”
Rachel laughs because she thinks Daisy is making a joke. She hasn’t spotted the tiger. Now they literally have a big problem. That tiger looks hungry.
[Tiger roar]
To avoid a cat-astrophe, just remember, literal language is when we say what we mean.
Figurative language can be anything that doesn’t mean what it says literally.
What’s the matter, Daisy? Cat got your tongue? What? Too much?
Video summary
Part of a series of animated films, following a cast of characters’ adventures and mishaps as they get to grips with grammatical terms.
In this film Daisy Crystal and Rachel Reporting get to grips with literal and figurative language whilst meeting in a café unfortunately they also meet a troublesome tiger.
This clip is from the series Grammar for 11-14 year olds.
Teacher Notes
Apply understanding of literal and figurative language to the deconstruction and study of poetry.
Use as a starter activity to a lesson or a series of lesson exploring creative writing.
Use with a focus on ghost story writing.
This clip is suitable for teaching English at Key Stage 3 or Third Level.
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