7 Types of Figurative Language
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Figurative language is an excellent way for writers to evoke emotion or create emphasis in their work. However, there are many ways to incorporate figures of speech into writing for different effects. Metaphors, idioms, hyperboles and more all serve specific purposes in written language. Learning about how to use figurative language in writing will help create a cohesive, easy-to-understand message.?
It is easy to assume that solely using words with their literal, direct meaning is the best way to communicate.?
However, there are cases in which readers may respond better when a person uses figurative language. This helps people use their imagination and gives words more intensity.?
Regular descriptions become more enticing, emotional significance shines and underlying symbolism may become more apparent with figurative language.?
In this story, we will share figurative language examples to help you understand why this is important, what it looks like in practice and more.?
What Is Figurative Language?
Figurative language includes unconventionally using words to persuade, explain or impact. Typically, figurative language means using figures of speech, such as metaphors or allusions.?
These are tools commonly used to make a point or create a better description in creative writing.
The Function of Figurative Language
The function of figurative language is that it provides more detail and description of items or situations. It also may create an alternative meaning beyond the strict definition of the words used.?
Figurative language helps written language become more accessible by creating imagery that may not be possible when using literal meanings. In this way, people may use figures of speech that help others understand the root of their message easier and quickly.
More complex or advanced texts are more likely to use figurative language in writing. Understanding these figures of speech and words with double meanings is difficult without practice and logical thinking, so they are typically?unsuitable for young children .?
Knowing when and how to use figurative language in writing is essential to ensure people understand the overall message.
7 Common Types of Figurative Language and Examples
There are many types of figurative language examples, but some occur more frequently in everyday language and writing than others.?
The most common figures of speech to know include:
1. Metaphor
A metaphor includes a word or phrase applied to an item that creates imagery and explains the situation better. In simple terms, metaphors state that one thing is another thing and makes a comparison between similarities of those items.
Example: “America is a melting pot.”
Example: “Life is a highway.”
Example: “His grief is an ocean.”
2. Simile
A simile serves much of the same function as a metaphor in that they both draw comparisons between different concepts. However, unlike metaphors, similes compare ideas with words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’.?
Example: “Watching that movie was like watching paint dry.”?
Example: “Life is like a box of chocolates.”
Example: “You were as tough as nails.”
3. Allusion
An allusion is an expression that brings up an item or topic without mentioning it outright. Essentially, it is a passive or indirect reference to something specific.?
Alluding to something, such as referencing a past work, myth or story, is the same as creating an allusion. This is common in movies, television, books and music.?
Example: “You are going down a rabbit hole with this idea.” (Alice in Wonderland)
Example: “Puppies are my kryptonite.” (Superman)
Example: “A good Samaritan helped you?” (a Biblical story)
4. Hyperbole
Hyperboles take ideas and exaggerate them for increased emphasis. A hyperbole is typically something that is impossible (or nearly impossible) and wouldn’t happen in real life.?
Example: “He is literally drowning in debt.”
Example: “That week took forever to end.”
Example: “My feet are killing me.”
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5. Personification
When a writer attributes human characteristics, like abilities or aesthetic qualities, to something non-human, they personify that object or animal.?
Example: “The moonlight danced across the mountain ridges.”
Example: “The story jumps right off the page.”
Example: “That piece of cake is calling my name.”
6. Oxymoron
Oxymorons allow writers to combine two ideas with opposite meanings to create a deeper understanding or emphasis.?
Example: Deafening silence
Example: Acting natural
Example: Old news?
7. Idiom
An idiom is a specific, well-known expression with a different meaning than the literal words imply. Most idioms are examples of figurative language, but writers may also use particular phrases in the literal sense (depending on the wording).
Example: “He was gone in a flash.”?
Example: “Hold your horses, children.”
Example: “You threw me under the bus back there.”
Difference Between Figurative Language and Imagery
Figurative language means using words or phrases with meanings different from the literal interpretation.?
Imagery, alternatively, is the use of vivid (or figurative) language to appeal to the readers’ senses and represent concepts, actions or objects.?
Many writers may use figurative language?to create imagery , but figurative language does not always create imagery. Therefore, writers may use these as two separate tools when crafting their stories or messages. It all depends on the desired result of the writing and how the writer wants to make the reader feel or think after reading the text.
Tips for Using Effective Figurative Language in Writing
It may be easy for writers to start practicing their use of figurative language, but there are certain things to remember to ensure the message remains effective.
Limit Usage?
Figurative language should not occur multiple times within a section. This makes the writing dense and challenging to comprehend for most readers.?
Select figures of speech that serve a purpose, such as clarifying the mood or creating a theme, but don’t include figurative language for no reason. Writing should be purposeful, and figurative language should enhance the existing text.
Prioritize Clarity?
While using figures of speech is a great way to enhance writing, it can also create an issue if the overall message becomes unclear. Effective writing will always be easy to understand. It doesn’t disrupt flow, confuse the reader or detract from the overall message.
Writing is a type of communication, but in many cases, a writer may not have the chance to re-explain what they meant or were trying to express. Clarity should be the focus of any writer, regardless of the story or message type.?
Be Careful with Flowery Language in Dialogue
Figures of speech may help a writer reveal character traits in dialogue or explain the tone of a conversation. Still, writers should always plan to use figurative language with an overall plan in mind.?
Too much flowery language , or complex words meant to make you sound masterful, may create a confusing message. Consider whether that character or person would use those words when writing dialogue for a character.
Only use figurative language as a tool to meet the overarching objective of the dialogue. Otherwise, figures of speech may confuse the context or message rather than make it easier to understand.?
Enhance Humor with Figurative Language
Humor is a tool that writers may use to break tension or monotony. It is an excellent way to calm the reader’s nerves and create a more playful, relaxed tone. Devices like hyperbole, understatement and oxymoron all contribute to humorous situations and dialogue. Depending on how the writer uses the figure of speech, these moments can take on dry, ironic or even absurd types of humor.?
Top Takeaways
Types of figurative language
(Reporting by NPD)
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2 年Very nice tips! We are humans, and we like storytelling. We connect with good stories and faces. The way we write is paramount to communicate with who’s reading. Using these figurative languages is an excellent way to make the writing more personal and direct and connect better with the audience.