Figurative language is an invaluable tool for writers, allowing them to convey ideas and emotions in a vivid and creative way.
From similes and metaphors to oxymorons and hyperbole, there is a wide range of figurative language types that can help to bring text alive.
In this article, we will explore the various types of figurative language and provide examples of each. With knowledge of these types, you can use figurative language to make your writing more effective and engaging.
Introduction to Figurative Language
Figurative language is a type of expression that uses language to create vivid imagery or express ideas in an indirect way. It is often used to convey complex emotions and ideas more effectively than literal language alone.
Unlike literal language, figurative language does not use words in their exact literal meaning. Instead, it employs figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole to create poetic or descriptive effects.
Importance in Literature
The use of figurative language is an important part of writing in literature. It can help to create vivid imagery and add emotional depth to stories, as well as emphasize a point or express an opinion in an engaging way. By using figurative language, authors are able to draw readers into the story and make it more interesting and memorable. Figurative language can also help to make abstract concepts more concrete, allowing readers to gain a better understanding of the text.
How to Identify and Interpret Figurative Language in Literature
Identifying and interpreting figurative language in literature can be a challenging but rewarding task. To identify figurative language, it is important to look for words or phrases that don’t make literal sense but are used to evoke an emotion or create vivid imagery. Examples of figurative language include similes (using like or as to compare two different things), metaphors (implied comparison between two unlike things), and personification (giving inanimate objects human qualities). When interpreting figurative language, it is important to consider the context of the text and try to understand the author’s intent.
Simile
Definition
A simile is a figure of speech that uses comparison to express an idea or emotion. It typically involves connecting two different things using the words “like” or “as” and comparing them in a meaningful way. For example, “She was as graceful as a swan,” is a simile because it compares her gracefulness to that of a swan.
Examples in Literature
Similes have been used throughout literature to add color and life to writing. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the famous opening line “Two households, both alike in dignity” is a simile that compares the two families to one another. Another classic example of a simile comes from John Keats’ poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” in which he compares a voice to “a fading joy”: “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard/ Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on.”
Common Use in Daily Language
Figurative language is used widely in everyday speech, often without us even realizing it. From casual conversations to more formal writing, we use figurative language to express ideas and emotions in an interesting and creative way. Common examples of figurative language used in daily conversation include idioms such as “it’s raining cats and dogs” or “it’s a piece of cake.” We also use metaphors to describe things in terms of other things, such as “he is a rock when it comes to making decisions” or “she is an angel for helping out.”
Metaphor
Definition
A metaphor is a figure of speech that uses comparison to describe something as if it were something else. Unlike a simile, which explicitly uses the words “like” or “as” for comparison, metaphors do not use these words; instead, they imply the comparison through context. For example, describing someone as “the life of the party” implies that they have a lively and vibrant personality, even though the comparison is not made explicitly.
Examples in Literature
Metaphors are widely used in literature to create vivid imagery and convey complex ideas in an interesting way. In William Wordsworth’s poem “The World Is Too Much With Us,” he uses the metaphor of “the sea/That bares her bosom to the moon” to describe the natural beauty of the ocean. Another classic example comes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet compares Romeo to “the sun,” implying that his presence is like a bright light in her life.
Common Use in Daily Language
Metaphors are also commonly used in everyday language. We often describe people or things in terms of other objects, such as calling someone a “night owl” to imply that they stay up late, or describing something as “a piece of cake” to mean that it is easy. Metaphors are also used to make abstract ideas feel more concrete, such as saying that “time is money” to express the idea that time is a valuable resource.
Personification
Definition
Personification is a figure of speech that gives human-like characteristics to non-human things or concepts. It is used to make abstract ideas more tangible and relatable, as well as to add life and color to descriptions. For example, describing the wind as “whispering secrets” implies that it has a voice, even though it is actually an inanimate object .
Examples in Literature
Personification is often used in literature to make abstract concepts more concrete and to add life to descriptions of the natural world. In Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he personifies the woods as having “promises to keep,” giving them a sense of duty and purpose.
Common Use in Daily Language
Personification is also used widely in everyday speech to make abstract concepts more relatable. We often describe things as if they have human qualities, such as saying that “the sun is smiling” or “the wind is whispering secrets.” Personification can also be used to add color and life to descriptions of the natural world, such as saying that “the trees are dancing in the wind.”
Hyperbole
Definition
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses exaggerated language to make a point or create emphasis. It can be used in both informal and formal writing, but it is more commonly found in casual conversation. Common examples of hyperbolic statements include “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” or “it was the best day ever.” Hyperbole is used to convey strong emotion or emphasize a point without being taken literally.
Examples in Literature
Hyperbole is often used in literature to emphasize a point and add drama to a description. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth famously exclaims “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” emphasizing her urgency and desperation as she desperately tries to remove the evidence of her husband’s murder. Another classic example comes from William Wordsworth’s poem “Daffodils,” in which he describes the flowers as “fluttering and dancing in the breeze” to create a vivid image of their movement.
Common Use in Daily Language
Hyperbole is also commonly used in daily language to add emphasis or make a point without being taken literally. We often use phrases such as “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse,” or “that was the best day ever,” to express strong emotion without actually meaning it literally. Hyperbolic statements are often used to add drama and humor to conversations.
Allusion
Definition
Allusion is a figure of speech that refers to a person, place, thing, or event from history, literature, mythology, or any other source. It is used to draw on the existing meanings associated with these references in order to create a greater understanding of the text. Allusions can be direct or indirect; for example, describing someone as “a modern day David ” is a direct allusion to the biblical story of David and Goliath, while an indirect allusion might be describing someone as “a hero” without referencing the specific source.
Examples in Literature
Allusions are commonly used in literature to add depth and richness to descriptions and stories. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus is described as a crafty hero who is able to outwit even the Gods, an allusion to his famous use of the Trojan Horse. In William Shakespeare’s plays, characters often make references to classical mythology in order to add depth and richness to their dialogue.
Common Use in Daily Language
Allusions are also used widely in everyday language, although they may not be as obvious or direct as those in literature. For example, if someone says “she’s a modern day Joan of Arc,” they are making an allusion to the famous French heroine to emphasize the strength and courage of the person being described. Allusions are often used to make comparisons between people or events, adding color and depth to our conversations.
Onomatopoeia
Definition
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech in which words imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. It is used to create a vivid and dramatic effect in writing and can be used to evoke emotions or help readers imagine what is being described. Examples of onomatopoeia include words like “hiss,” “buzz,” “sizzle,” and “crackle.”
Examples in Literature
Onomatopoeia is often used in literature to create a vivid and dramatic effect. In Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Bells,” he uses onomatopoeia to describe the different bells as they ring out, including “tinkle,” “clang,” and “jingle.” In Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” he uses onomatopoeia to describe the sound of his footsteps as he walks down the road, saying “And miles to go before I sleep/ And miles to go before I sleep .”
Common Use in Daily Language
Onomatopoeia is also used widely in everyday language, often to emphasize a point or create a humorous effect. For example, someone might say “the food was so good it made my taste buds sing,” or “I couldn’t believe how loud the thunder clapped.” On omatopoeia is often used to describe noises, but it can also be used to describe feelings or emotions.
Summary
Figurative language is a type of expression that goes beyond the literal meanings of words. It can be used to create vivid imagery, emphasize points, and express emotion in a creative way. There are several different types of figurative language, including hyperbole, allusion, and onomatopoeia. Hyperbole is an exaggeration used to add emphasis or humor to a statement without being taken literally. Allusions are references to people, places, or things from history and literature that can be used to draw on existing meanings in order to create a greater understanding of the text. Onomatopoeia is a type of figurative language in which words imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.