Popular Content
Want Email Updates?
Get emails about new stuff.
Be the first to know.
Looking for Something?
Figurative Language Worksheets
Common Core State Standards demand that students identify figurative language techniques. This means that your standardized test is likely to question figurative language knowledge. Students can prepare for this through repeated exposure to figurative language. You can do this by studying figurative language poems, activities, or the worksheets on this page.
These worksheets will give students rapid fire practice with figurative language techniques. Not only must students identify the techniques, they must explain their answers. This approach forces students to consider their answers. It also helps teachers identify misunderstandings.
Figurative Language Worksheet 1
Here is a ten-problem figurative language worksheet. It will give students rapid-fire practice with identifying figurative language techniques. Students read the examples, identify the technique, and then explain their answer.
Figurative Language Worksheet 2
Here is another ten-problem worksheet to give students practice identifying figurative language techniques. Students will read the poetic snippets, identify the figurative techniques, and explain their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 3
This worksheet packs a double dose of figurative language practice: four sides and 27 problems! Students determine whether each snippet contains an example of simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, or idiom. Students are also required to explain their responses.
Figurative Language Worksheet 4
This worksheet has ten more practice problems from classic poems to help students master figurative language. Students will read the examples, identify the figuartive techniques, and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 5
Here is another worksheet with 10 more practice problems to help students master figurative language. Students will read the examples, determine the figurative language technique, and then explain their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 6
Do you need more practice with figurative language? This 23 problem worksheet with four pages should keep students busy for a little while. Students will identify the figurative language technique used in each of the 23 examples and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 7
What's better than figurative language practice? More figurative language practice! Here is another double-sided figurative language worksheet with ten problems. The language used in this worksheet is easier to understand.
Figurative Language Worksheet 8
Here is yet another four-page figurative language worksheet. It has 22 figurative langauge techniques used in a variety of contexts. Students read each example, identify the technique that is being used, and then explain how they got their answers.
Figurative Language Worksheet 9
Are you still looking for practice with figurative language? This two-page, double-sided worksheet has 22 more figurative language problems. Students read the poetry snippets, identify the figurative language techniques, and then explain their answers.
"Lord of the Flies" Figurative Language Worksheet
Here's a four page, 26 question worksheet featuring examples of figurative language taken from one of my favorite books, "Lord of the Flies." Students determine what figure of speech is used and explain their answers.
Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe Worksheet
Here's a figurative language worksheet featuring lines from stories and poems of Edgar Allen Poe. Students write which technique is being used on the line and then explain how they figured out the answer. This is a great activity to use alongside one of Poe's stories.
Figurative Language of O. Henry
This worksheet features twenty-three selected examples of figurative language from O. Henry, one of the master writers of the short story. This four-page worksheet will give students plenty of practice with working with figurative language and poetic devices.
Figurative Language of Shakespeare
Shakespeare is not only a master of the theater, he is also a master of figurative language. His language is also a bit more difficult for most students to decode, so this is not a recommended activity for novices. Here are 23 figurative language examples used in Shakespeare's tragedies, comedies, history plays, and sonnets.
Figurative Language and Poetic Devices Review Games
Orpheus The Lyrical: Figurative Language Video Game
Here is a high-interest figurative language video game that I wrote. Students play as the mythical Orpheus in his quest to retrieve his beloved Eurydice from Hades. They will answer literally hundreds of figurative language questions along the way. This is a fun and exciting way to review figurative language techniques and students really get into it.
Poetry Cat: Poetic Devices Video Game
This is a fun and free browser game to help you review poetic devices. Students play as a cat and try to collect balls of yarn. When they get hit by an enemy, they have to answer a question to proceed. This game is fun, engaging, and has hundreds of questions on poetic devices. Very educational!
Figurative language can add magic to your writing.
Figurative Language
Common Core State Standards
Figurative Language Anchor Standards
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.RL.2.4 - Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RL.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for L.5
Still looking for something?
Search here.
Search here.
Leave a comment
162 Comments
Leave a Reply to Richard Cancel reply
By Using This Website You Agree to the Terms of Use and are aware of our privacy policy.
Subscribe Now
Get emails about new stuff.
Don't worry. I hate spam too.
Some Other Useful Pages
- Author's Purpose Worksheets
- Characterization Worksheets
- Conflict Worksheets
- Fact and Opinion Worksheets
- Figurative Language Activities
- Figurative Language Poems with Questions
- Genre Activities
- Irony Worksheets
- Making Predictions
- Mood Worksheets
- Nonfiction Passages and Functional Texts
- Parts of Speech Worksheets
- Poetic Devices
- Point of View Worksheets
- School Project Ideas
- Setting Worksheets
- Simile and Metaphor Worksheets
- Story Structure Worksheets
- Text Structure Worksheets
- Theme Worksheets
- Tone Worksheets
- ALL PAGES AND WORKSHEETS
Search This Site
sophia
/ September 11, 2015Thank you this is great
Amanda Wilcox
/ March 25, 2015Thanks so much for all the great resources. Where did the figurative language power point go? I used it yesterday but now cannot find. Thank you again.
Mr. Morton
/ March 27, 2015Figurative language activities are on this page: http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/figurative-language-activities/
valki
/ February 10, 2015Thanks so much for your invaluable contribution!!
Tiger
/ December 4, 2014This website is amazing.
izzy
/ November 21, 2014great worksheets but i say they are not the grade level i need them to be.
humera khan
/ October 15, 2014Can i have a worksheet on alliteration and onoaemaetopia please
Mr. Morton
/ March 27, 2017http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/figurative-language/poetic-devices/onomatopoeia-worksheets-and-activities/
Kristie West
/ September 11, 2014I love the site and awesome worksheets! I just have 1 problem 🙁 Having a hard time figuring out what grade level are on some of the worksheet. I could be totally over seeing it. Can you please help me ?
Thank you:)
Mr. Morton
/ September 11, 2014They currently do not have any readability scores. I will try to add some soon. Best wishes!
Shereaka Jones-Wilson
/ March 11, 2014Your site and resources are amazing. Thank you so much for allowing us novice ELA teachers to utilize them!
Mr. Morton
/ April 21, 2014You are most welcome.
Your future is bright.
Hammoudi
/ February 24, 2014Thanks teacher and Congratulations!!!!! you are now teaching thousands of students around the world!!!
Chel
/ February 16, 2014Your work is truly great and helpful. Please keep it up.
mrs. poirier
/ February 13, 2014This is the best website for a middle school English teacher. Thank you once again.
Karen
/ January 29, 2014Thank you for connecting these elements to REAL poetry instead of silly, low-level rhymes. Trying to find these resources requires time- thank you for providing them on your site!
JoEtta Maxwell
/ January 6, 2014This website is awesome . Thank you for sharing.
Fredi Taylor
/ December 13, 2013I love this website. I’m using all of your resources for my class. It absolutely has made a positive difference in their ability to understand, recognize and use/apply the skills here.
ganzgpp1
/ November 22, 2013This website is awesome! I like the super grammar ninja game.
Mr. Morton
/ December 18, 2013Thank you. I’d like to make it an app one of these days…
jaheim
/ November 7, 2013I love it
The Purple Lady
/ September 6, 2013I cannot even BEGIN to express my gratitude for the exceptional work you have chosen to share with us! You have saved me a fortune in time!
zach
/ April 19, 2013this is a wonderful site! 🙂
Jennifer
/ April 5, 2013Thank you for sharing these worksheets. I so appreciate your hard work.
Marcella Hodges
/ March 28, 2013Awesome lessons. Thank you so much for sharing
tipria
/ March 27, 2013i love this website it is the best
Cynthia Aguilar
/ March 26, 2013This is amazing!!! This is awesome work for the high school students I have to tutor 🙂 thanks!
Erica
/ March 19, 2013Thanks for saving my skin! This site is great!
Mr. Morton
/ March 21, 2013Excellent metaphor. Thank you for visiting.
Angie
/ March 15, 2013Thank you so much for sharing your work with other teachers. You are a gem.
Mr. Morton
/ March 21, 2013Thank you for the thoughtful metaphor. Best wishes!
Shouvik
/ March 3, 2013Awesome collection of worksheets! its really helpful for young students!
K Connor
/ February 12, 2013Thank you for your worksheets. They are well thought out and require students to use critical thinking skills!
Yzabella Fernandez
/ February 5, 2013What a lifesaver! Thank you so much for sharing this. Wonderful! My life has been made easier and my students life, enriched!
Karina
/ January 2, 2013thanks sooo much for this! it helped me a lot 🙂
Jessica
/ December 13, 2012The site says there are answers for the LOF Fig Lang worksheet, but they are not there. It is simply just another view in a browser. Where can I check my answers?
jette tuca
/ November 22, 2012Fantastic site! Thank you! It is very helpful and my students love it!
Mr. Morton
/ December 2, 2012I’m pleased to hear it. Best wishes!
elynn
/ November 21, 2012Your worksheets are wonderful!
junior
/ October 10, 2012thank you so much
junior
/ October 10, 2012thank you so much because long time have difficilte to firgurative languade so now im really good that so thank you again god bless u
Sue
/ October 1, 2012Thanks for sharing…the worksheets are great!!!
Mary Spearman
/ September 30, 2012Thank you so much for sharing! May God bless you!
j.s.
/ September 18, 2012Thank you so much! Do you have an answer key for O. Henry?
christina tomlinson
/ August 24, 2012i absolutely love your website. it is so informative. you have wonderful ideas and you can adjust them to any level that you are teaching…kudos to you!
Mr. Morton
/ August 30, 2012Thank you.
Jim Andrews
/ June 19, 2012I love your worksheets, but some are a little risque there for 5th graders.
Mr. Morton
/ August 10, 2012Quite possibly. Thanks for reminding everyone to preview the materials before they use them in their own classrooms.
roskos
/ June 5, 2012I would have liked to use your web-site but am appalled that you are advertising for scott walker. I will let everyone know to not use your site again.
Mr. Morton
/ June 19, 2012Whoops. Google selects the advertisements, not me. I’m not trying to support the enemy. Same team, same team…
Josie
/ May 28, 2012Thank you very much for the worksheets, they’re very helpful and I’m using them to revise for my English Poetry topic test coming up, thank you for sharing! 🙂
dharini
/ May 14, 2012thanks a lot this was very useful to me
HSD333
/ May 8, 2012This is wonderful! Thanks so much! What a live saver! A little hyperbole for you –
Danielle
/ May 7, 2012This is great! I have spent so much time creating worksheets for figurative language! Currently I am looking for figurative language in fables/folktales. Any suggestions?
Jenny
/ May 7, 2012Your website is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work. As a fellow English teacher, I appreciate it greatly.
m.l. beam
/ May 5, 2012Answers? I can figure them out myself. These worksheets are some of the best I have ever seen! THANKS for the sheets and the idea.
A. Akins
/ May 2, 2012This has been an invaluable tool for me as I introduce and extend the learning of literary devices, author’s purpose, point-of-view, etc. to my 9th grade students with exceptional learning needs. I’m able to chunk practice opportunites in a way I would not have the time to prepare for on my own.
Thank you,
Andrea Akins
Mr. Morton
/ May 3, 2012Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Gins
/ April 30, 2012This is a free resource Sue! You should probably create your own so you won’t have to explain anything to 5th graders! Thank you Mr. Morton for all your hard work!
Sherrey B.
/ April 30, 2012these are absolutely wonderful! I’ve had so much trouble finding appropriate figurative language worksheets, so thank you for sharing these!
susan
/ April 20, 2012thank you so much.