Literal and non-literal meanings of words and phrases in context

General

Using literal language means to use the dictionary definition of a word, but this is not always how we speak. Sometimes, we use non-literal language, a type of "figurative language" that often exaggerates something to help us better describe something or have a reader understand what we're trying to say. In this lesson, students will learn to distinguish between literal and non-literal language.

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5a

Learning objective

Students will be able to distinguish between the literal and non-literal meanings of words and phrases in context.

Introduction

Ask students to solve the word mystery in each sentence. Can students use the context clues to help figure out the meaning of the underlined word? Ask students which context clues they used to help determine the meaning of the underlined words.

Instruction

Explain the difference between literal and non-literal language. Literal language is the actual meaning of a word or phrase, based on the dictionary meaning of the word. Non-literal language is also called figurative language because it is often silly or unrealistic. It goes beyond the dictionary meaning of the words or phrase and often has a different meaning altogether. Give examples of literal and non-literal examples. Then ask students if they can determine if the given sentences are literal or non-literal. Then ask them to match sentences to the image that best represents it. Challenge students to determine if the sentence is literal or non-literal. Show students a selection of figurative language pictures and write what they mean. Then ask students to drag the phrases into the category literal or non-literal. Then ask students to find non-literal language in context by asking them to read a text and to underline the non-literal phrase. Then highlight the correct non-literal saying in each sentence. You can choose to hand out sheets of paper to students to draw the following non-literal images and do a picture walk in the classroom, or you can ask a student to come to the front to draw on the interactive whiteboard. Have students then determine if a given sentence is literal or non-literal and explain their thinking. How do they know/determine that it is literal or non-literal?

Quiz

Students are given a sentence and must decide if the underlined phrase is literal or non-literal. They must then select the correct definition for a selection of non-literal phrases.

Closing

Remind students that they have now learned how to distinguish between literal and non-literal meanings of words and phrases in context. They are able to determine what literal or non-literal language is, and know some examples. Close by having students work in pairs to choose a non-literal phrase and to come up with a sentence to use the phrase in context. Share with the class.