Figurative Language

Learners: Please be sure to write the definitions and examples for each type of figurative language in your notes! :)

Oxymorons

Definition: Two words that are usually connected by a hyphen that have opposite meanings. Think opposite and oxymoron to help you remember what it means :)

Examples:

Bitter-sweet

Most people find bitter foods bad-tasting, and sweet foods good-tasting.
So what do you think it means when someone describes something as a “bitter-sweet moment”? Think about it for a little bit before moving on.
This oxymoron is one way to say a moment is both bad and good!
- For example, think about how you’re about to finish 5th grade. It’s good because you’ve finally finished elementary school, but it may also be bad because you might have to say goodbye to some of your friends if you’re going to different middle schools.
Using oxymorons can save up explanation space and leave it more up to the reader to try to figure out what the writer might be trying to say, which can make reading more interesting!

Old news

Old means time has passed, and news usually has very recent, new information.
So what do you think it means when someone says, “That’s old news.”? Think about it for a little bit before moving on.
This oxymoron is one way to say that, although a piece of information may still be new to some people, you’ve already known about it for a little while, so it’s old.
It saves explanation space since you can say, “That’s old news.” instead of something long like, “I heard about that recent event last week so I don’t think it’s anything really new.”
(Side note: I’d personally avoid using this oxymoron since it can come off as kind of rude, but it’s still listed so you can see an example of an oxymoron that doesn’t use a hyphen!)

Oxymoron or Not?

Try to figure out if each sentence has an oxymoron or not! Bonus: Try to think about what each oxymoron might mean! Answers will be at the very bottom, but please don’t look until after you’ve tried first!

I think this shirt is a little big on me!
That bunny is pretty cute.
This feels like bad luck.
She was quietly silent in the library.

Self-Reflection

What makes an oxymoron? Can you think of your own examples?
What do you think you’re a rockstar at?
What still confuses you?
Please check in with your partner(s) and/or teacher before moving on!
Good work :)

Answers

(Keep in mind there are multiple possible meanings! These are just some of the first ones that came to mind.)

Oxymoron - The shirt is only slightly too big for the person.
Not an oxymoron - Pretty and cute are NOT opposites.
Oxymoron - Bad usually means not good, but lucky usually means the opposite. In other words, something good. These two words are connected and mean opposite things, so it is an oxymoron!
Not an oxymoron - Quietly and silent are connected, but they do not mean opposite things, so this is NOT an oxymoron.

Jamboard Activity

jamboard.google.com/d/1s4e9rZxYLRhF5D9OVGGMoGMv0Mxj5QXGaUgQ4GXiRB0/edit?usp=sharing

Please click on the link above to open up the Jamboard and complete the Oxymoron Activity. You can ask your partner(s) and/or teacher for help if you need it :)