Roll and Find Examples of Figurative Language

Figurative language can be a tricky concept for students to grasp. Similes and metaphors, personification and onomatopoeia can be hard to spot in the text if you don’t know what you’re looking for!

This hands-on activity will allow students to practise identifying various types of figurative language. All they need is a text, a die, and this worksheet, and they are all set!

Explore Different Types of Figurative Language

To complete the activity, students need to roll the die. Then, complete they complete the action that matches their roll.

1. Similies – Find an example of a simile in the text. What two things is the author comparing?
2. Metaphors – Find an example of a metaphor in the text. What two things is the author comparing?
3. Personification – Find an example of personification in the text. What characteristics is the author giving the nonliving thing?
4. Hyperbole – Find an example of hyperbole in the text. What is the author describing using this exaggeration?
5. Onomatopoeia – Find an example of onomatopoeia in the text. What sound is the author describing?
6. Alliteration – Find an example of alliteration in the text. What sound is the author repeating, and how does it impact the text?

Two different recording sheets are provided in the download for students to write down the examples they find of each type of figurative language.

Tips for Scaffolding and Extension

Need to cater to above-, below- and on-level students with this activity? We have some suggestions for keeping all your learners on track and engaged!

Provide the Text

For students who may find this activity challenging, we recommend that you, the teacher, select and provides a specific text for students to work with. This way, you can ensure that the length and language are ability-appropriate. You can even choose a text you know is choc-full of figurative language!

Create Your Own

Since not all texts have every type of figurative language, you can create a challenge for your students! If they can’t find figurative language that matches their dice roll, have them create their own using the context of the text they use for the game.

Download, Print, Teach!

Use the dropdown menu next to the Download button to access the quick-print PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Because this resource includes two recording sheets, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the versions you wish your students to use.

To save paper and turn this into a whole-class activity, why not project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class? Have students use whatever book they are reading to locate each type of figurative language, then ask some students to share their examples with the class.