6.3 Figurative language

Figurative language adds depth and creativity to writing, going beyond literal meanings to convey symbolic ideas. It uses devices like similes, metaphors, and personification to make descriptions more vivid and evoke emotions in readers.

Understanding figurative language is crucial for interpreting literature and rhetoric. It allows writers to explore complex themes, create memorable imagery, and establish unique styles. Effective use requires choosing appropriate devices and avoiding clichés to engage readers.

Types of figurative language

Similes for comparisons

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• Use "like" or "as" to directly compare two unlike things that share a common characteristic (her eyes shone like stars)
• Highlight similarities between the two things being compared to create a vivid description
• Can be used to make descriptions more relatable and understandable by comparing unfamiliar things to familiar concepts
• Often used to describe appearance, personality traits, emotions, or abstract ideas through concrete comparisons

Metaphors for symbolic meanings

• Directly equate two unlike things to suggest they share similar qualities or characteristics (love is a battlefield)
• Do not use "like" or "as" - the comparison is implied rather than explicitly stated
• Can convey complex ideas, emotions, or experiences by relating them symbolically to other concepts
• Extended metaphors carry a central comparison throughout a longer passage or entire work to develop a key theme or idea
• Conceptual metaphors express abstract ideas in terms of more concrete or tangible things (life is a journey)

Personification of objects and ideas

• Attribute human qualities, actions, or characteristics to non-human things, animals, or abstract concepts (the wind whispered through the trees)
• Can make descriptions more vivid, relatable, and emotionally engaging by portraying non-human subjects as lifelike
• Often used to reflect a character's perceptions and emotions by projecting human traits onto their surroundings
• Commonly personified concepts include nature, emotions, death, time, and abstract ideas like freedom or love

Hyperbole for exaggeration

• Use exaggeration or overstatement to emphasize a point or convey strong emotions (I'm so hungry I could eat a horse)
• Not meant to be taken literally - the exaggeration is intentionally extreme for rhetorical effect
• Can be humorous by presenting an absurd exaggeration of the truth (my backpack weighs a ton)
• May intensify descriptions of actions, appearances, or feelings to stress their significance or impact
• Overly frequent use of hyperbole can make writing seem insincere or fail to produce the intended dramatic effect

Understatement for irony

• Deliberately express something as less important, serious, or powerful than it actually is, often for ironic or humorous effect (I was a little upset when my house burned down)
• Can be used to convey sarcasm, modesty, or to diffuse an emotionally charged situation
• May downplay a normally impressive accomplishment or event to humbly minimize its importance (winning the lottery was a nice little surprise)
• Helps create a restrained, subdued tone that can make a passage more impactful than it would be with overstatement

Onomatopoeia using sound-based words

• Use words that phonetically imitate the sound they describe (buzz, hiss, gurgle, pop)
• Can create immersive, multisensory descriptions that evoke the actual sounds of the things being portrayed
• Commonly used for animal noises (oink, meow), impact or collision sounds (thud, clang), and sounds made by liquids or air (splash, whoosh)
• Often found in poetry and children's literature to engage the reader's auditory imagination and make descriptions fun to read aloud

Idioms with non-literal meanings

• Use phrases that have figurative meanings separate from the literal definitions of the individual words (it's raining cats and dogs)
• Often based on metaphors that have become so commonly used that their figurative meaning is widely understood (feeling under the weather)
• May be specific to certain cultures, regions, or time periods and reflect shared experiences and perspectives
• Can make writing more colorful, expressive, and engaging by drawing on familiar expressions and collective knowledge
• Overuse of clichéd or outdated idioms can make writing seem unoriginal or disconnected from its audience

Allusions referencing other works

• Make brief, indirect references to well-known literary works, myths, historical events, or popular culture (he was a real Romeo with the ladies)
• Assume readers will recognize the reference and grasp the symbolic significance or added layer of meaning
• Can create subtext by tying the present work to universal themes, archetypes, or cultural touchstones (David and Goliath)
• May foreshadow later plot developments, reveal aspects of a character, or reinforce central ideas through parallels to other works
• Require careful use to ensure the references are widely recognizable and thematically relevant to the piece

Purposes of figurative language

• Figurative language refers to words or phrases used in a non-literal way to add depth, complexity, and creativity to writing
• Goes beyond the literal, dictionary definitions of words to convey meanings that are symbolic, suggestive, or imaginative
• Used in both poetry and prose to make writing more vivid, engaging, and emotionally impactful for readers

Adding vividness to descriptions

• Helps create detailed, multisensory descriptions that immerse readers in the world of the text
• Makes abstract ideas or intangible experiences more concrete and relatable by comparing them to familiar things
• Enables readers to visualize characters, settings, and events in specific, memorable ways by evoking striking mental images
• Engages readers' imaginations and holds their attention by making descriptions surprising, inventive, and mentally stimulating

Evoking emotions and moods

• Taps into readers' memories, senses, and subconscious associations to elicit strong emotional responses
• Can make readers empathize more deeply with characters' feelings by imaginatively conveying their inner experiences
• Helps establish an overarching mood or atmosphere that reflects the emotional tone of a work (somber, joyful, nostalgic, etc.)
• May subconsciously affect readers' emotions by conjuring ideas or images that have personal significance to them

Enhancing themes and messages

• Enables writers to explore complex themes and ideas in a layered, nuanced way by harnessing the symbolic power of language
• Can succinctly communicate a central message or moral by drawing a figurative parallel to some other phenomenon
• May encourage readers to think more deeply about a work's meanings by presenting ideas in a less direct, more open-ended way
• Invites readers to interpret a work's significance by making connections between its literal and figurative elements

Creating tone and style

• Helps establish a unique voice or personality for a narrative by incorporating imaginative, non-literal language
• Enables writers to demonstrate their creativity, wit, and literary flair through original, inventive figurative expressions
• Can make a work more poetic, comedic, satirical, or otherwise stylistically distinctive through non-literal devices
• May subtly influence how readers perceive the speaker or narrator based on their facility with figurative language

Interpreting figurative language

Identifying non-literal meanings

• Determine whether the words are meant to be understood in a literal, dictionary-definition sense or a non-literal, figurative way
• Look for comparisons, expressions, or descriptions that would be illogical or nonsensical if taken at face value
• Recognize common figures of speech (similes, metaphors, hyperbole, etc.) based on their typical structures and purposes
• Consider whether the apparent meaning of the words fits logically within the larger context of the passage or work

Analyzing comparisons and symbolism

• For similes and metaphors, examine how the two things being compared are alike and what that similarity suggests about each
• Identify the tenor (the main subject) and vehicle (the thing it's compared to) in each comparison and analyze their relationship
• Look for recurring symbols, motifs, or other figurative elements and consider how they relate to the work's characters, plot, or themes
• Determine what abstract ideas or meanings are being expressed through the comparison or symbolism

Inferring author's intentions

• Consider how each example of figurative language contributes to the passage's descriptive vividness, emotional impact, thematic depth, or style
• Examine whether the figurative expressions are clichéd and familiar or surprising and original, and how that influences their effect
• Determine whether the figurative language is meant to be taken humorously, seriously, cynically, or otherwise based on its tone
• Infer what impression the author is trying to create for readers or what ideas they are trying to convey through the figurative language

Examining cultural and historical context

• Determine whether the work's figurative language contains any allusions to culturally or historically significant events, people, or ideas
• Consider how the work's time period and cultural milieu may have influenced the kinds of figurative expressions used
• Identify any unfamiliar idioms or expressions that had a different meaning within the work's original language or historical context
• Examine how the work's figurative language reflects the values, beliefs, and worldviews of its cultural origin

Figurative language in various genres

Poetry and creative writing

• Often used extensively in poetry to create vivid imagery, symbolism, and emotional resonance
• Can enable poets to express abstract ideas, emotions, and experiences in a condensed, evocative way
• May establish a distinctive voice or style that reflects the poet's unique sensibilities and creative vision
• Helps create multiple levels of meaning that reward repeated readings and interpretation

Persuasive writing and rhetoric

• Can make arguments more compelling by tapping into readers' emotions, values, and imagination
• Enables writers to frame their points memorably through strategic comparisons, analogies, and figures of speech
• May make abstract data and logical propositions easier for readers to understand by relating them to concrete things
• Can enhance a speaker or writer's perceived authority, intelligence, and facility with language

Narratives and storytelling

• Used in prose fiction and creative nonfiction to vividly depict characters, settings, and events
• Can succinctly convey a character's personality, mindset, and development through extended metaphors or other symbolic elements
• Helps create a strong, immersive sense of place by figuratively appealing to readers' senses and memories
• May establish thematic threads and foreshadow plot developments through recurring figurative motifs

Advertising and marketing copy

• Frequently used in ads and marketing materials to make products seem more appealing, exciting, and essential
• Helps create a strong brand identity and image through memorable slogans and taglines (Redbull gives you wings)
• Can persuade consumers by subconsciously appealing to their desires and values through symbolic language
• May establish a humorous, edgy, or otherwise distinctive tone that helps ads stand out and get noticed

Effective use of figurative language

Choosing appropriate devices

• Select figures of speech that fit naturally within the work's voice, tone, and style rather than seeming forced or out of place
• Ensure that the figurative expressions are appropriate to the speaker or narrator's personality, background, and way of thinking
• Use devices that will appeal to the target audience based on their age, education level, cultural background, interests, and values
• Choose figures of speech that suit the genre, subject matter, and purpose of the work

Ensuring clarity and coherence

• Use figurative language selectively and strategically so it doesn't overwhelm or distract from the literal content
• Avoid mixing metaphors or using figurative devices that contradict each other or send conflicting messages
• Integrate figurative expressions smoothly and coherently into the surrounding text so they don't disrupt the flow of ideas
• Provide enough literal context before and after figurative passages so readers can follow the underlying logic and meaning

Avoiding clichés and overuse

• Strive for original, surprising figurative language rather than overused, predictable expressions (busy as a bee)
• Limit and space out figurative elements so they remain potent and meaningful rather than becoming numbing or meaningless
• Rework clichéd figures of speech to make them more specific, vivid, and relevant to the particular context
• Ensure the figurative language is actually adding something meaningful to the work rather than just being flashy or gimmicky

Tailoring to audience and purpose

• Use figurative devices that will be easily recognizable and understandable to the intended readership
• Avoid references, allusions, or symbols that are likely to be unfamiliar or confusing to the target audience
• Choose figures of speech that advance the work's purpose by making descriptions vivid, evoking emotions, or conveying ideas memorably
• Ensure the overall figurative style and technique is well-suited to the work's genre, subject matter, and desired impact on readers

Figurative language vs literal language

Definitions and differences

• Literal language uses words in their dictionary-defined, denotative meanings to make direct, straightforward statements
• Figurative language uses words in an imaginative, non-literal way to suggest ideas and meanings beyond their dictionary definitions
• Literal language is precise, informational, and factual while figurative language is symbolic, suggestive, and open to interpretation
• Figurative language requires readers to analyze and decipher the non-literal meanings while literal language can be understood at face value

Situations for literal vs figurative

• Literal language is best suited for conveying factual information, objective descriptions, or precise instructions
• Figurative language is more appropriate for evoking emotions, expressing abstract ideas, or creating poetic effects
• A single text often combines literal and figurative language, using each strategically for different purposes
• Figurative language is more common in creative, persuasive or expressive writing while literal language dominates in technical, scientific, or informational texts

Combining literal and figurative elements

• Figurative passages or expressions are typically grounded in a literal narrative or argument that provides context and clarity
• Literal descriptions and figurative devices can work together to convey meanings in a layered, multifaceted way
• Strategically juxtaposing literal and figurative language can create a pleasing balance of clarity and creativity
• Passages frequently shift between literal and figurative language to add variety, nuance, and depth to the writing