Writers sometimes use figurative language to create powerful images. Figurative words and phrases are symbols for ideas. In the sentence below, bones buried in the earth is a symbol for death.

You can use context clues to figure out the meaning of figurative language. The context clues that help you figure out the death symbol are: bones buried and lived (in the past tense so they are no longer living).

Find Other Examples With a partner, review the poems, “Possum Crossing” and “The Tyger” to find more examples of figurative language. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each example. Make a list of the examples you find, the meaning of the figurative language, and the context clues that help you determine the meaning.

Learn About Language The English language grows and changes over time. Some words that were common 200 years ago are no longer used today. You use many words today that weren’t even invented 200 years ago! Words that had one definition 50 years ago have a different definition today. This constant changing keeps the English language alive.

Analyze Language The poem “Possum Crossing” was published in 2002. “The Tyger” was published in 1794. Some words in “Possum Crossing” didn’t exist or had different definitions in 1794. Some words in “The Tyger” are no longer used or spelled differently in 2002.

Re-read each poem. Write down words that you think are either newer words or words that aren’t used anymore. Look these words up in a dictionary. Most dictionaries will tell you the definition and the date of the word’s origin, or beginning. Discuss what you learn with your class.