| What
is the purpose of figurative language?
Figurative
language is used in writing to help convey meaning and expression.
Figurative language is necessary to convey the exact meaning
in a vivid and artistic manner, yet a concise and to the
point manner to your reader. The writer has a story to tell
and the language used must portray emotion and feeling as
much as possible. If the writer does not create an image
in the readers mind, he will lose the readers attention
and holding the attention of the reader is the writer's
goal.
Language using figures of speech such as simile,
hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism
and personification to form
imagery is called figurative language. It is used to increase
shock, novelty, appearance, or illustrative consequences.
What
are some type of figurative language?
*
A simile is a comparison between two objects
using the words “like” or “as.”
“Her eyes are like stars!”
*
A hyperbole is a very strong exaggeration.
“His stature is as a mountain unmovable!” “Her
smile is as wide as the ocean!”
*
A metaphor is the comparison between two
objects. “His eyes are jewels!”
*
Personification gives an inhuman thing
human quality. “The diamonds are jealous of your beauty!”
*
Image is the representation sense. Words,
which appeal the senses such as a visual image, could be
called a mental picture! “Two trees converged in a
velvet meadow.”
*
Symbol is a specific idea or object to
represent ideas, values, or ways of life. A symbol is usually
something more than what it seems. “The path not seen.”
*
A paradox is a contradiction, which in
reality is true. “Where ignorance is joy, it is foolishness
to be wise.”
*
Tone is the attitude of style or expression
used to write
*
Mood is the emotion the writing delivers
to the reader.
*
Alliteration is the repetition of the initial
consonant consecutively or within a couple words of each
other. “The tiny tot told two tales that totally twisted
the truth.” “Two tales were told that spoke
silently of the truth of the matter.”
*
Allusion is pointing to something from
literature or history to express your point. The word allusion
is used to describe this figurative form of language because
it is generally a brief, incidental or casual reference.
Allusion is never a detailed lengthy description. Allusion
is used in hopes of triggering an association to portray
a meaning. “He’s a Nixon if I ever saw one.”
“She is Freudian if anything.”
It is the author's plan to create with words imagery that
will cause the reader to smell, hear, taste and feel the
story as it is read. Figurative language captures the hidden
emotions and depths of the soul. Figurative language makes
its point without the tedious use of long drawn out sentences.
An example of figurative language is shown in these two
sentences. One is long and drawn out, while the other is
figurative and short to the point. “He was the clumsiest
oaf I had ever seen, every movement he made was like a thundering
demolition derby wandering through the shop.” "He
was like a bull in a china shop.” The use of similes
and metaphors in writing helps to bring it to life. Write
with expression; write with feeling and your writing will
capture the heart and mind of all.
(adapted from Essortment: http://wiwi.essortment.com/figurativelangu_rgpp.htm
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| Learn About Figurative Language |
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 Practice with Figurative Language
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