May 14th, 2022 Literary Devices

Examples of Figurative Language: Guide to 12 Common Types

Figurative-language

Tell me a figurative word? Figurative expression refers to the colours that enhance an author’s writing. It combines the ordinary statement with an expressive dressy look. Figurative language can be used in an effort to attract, motivate, and guide readers through your writing. It is frequently debated whether or not figurative language can be used as a whole.

Figurative language refers to the use of words in a way to make complicated meanings more interesting. It can be used in writing, like when you are trying convey the feeling of something or someone with words rather than just saying what happened without adding any emotion at all; this does not always work well but it’s good for capturing moods that might otherwise slip away from us because we’re too focused on other things happening around ourselves

12 commonly used types in figurative language. Similé. Metaphors. Personifications. Onomatopoeia. Oxymorons. Hyperbole. Allusions. Idioms. Puns. Cliches. Euphemism. Alliteration.

Contents

Definition of Figurative Language

Example of figurative speech is any textual figure of speech that depends upon non-literal meanings. There are many different forms of writing, including literary instruments such as metaphor, personification, etc. The definition of figurative language varies from that for literally speaking language that uses purely lexically defined words. Figurative languages often require readers to know additional nuances, context, and analogies.

What is a simple definition of figurative language?

Figurative language is language designed to create a visual effect on a listener that goes beyond the literal meaning of the word involved to the person reading.

Understanding the concept of figurative language

Any time you write more than just the meaning, you use metaphor. It also provides insight into your work for readers. While there are 12 common varieties each branch includes metaphors, similes, personifications, hyperbolics, and symbolic. A good way to grasp figurative language is to observe it.

Types of Figurative Language

The way of producing the figure can be numerous. Often referred to as figures in a speech, these include Alliteration This is the repetition of the same words and sounds that create musical effects in written text. Examples of Alliteration include brands including Kit Kat Rolls Royce Best Buy and American Apparel as well as children’s tongue stuckers. Allusions occur when a text is linked to an external text, person, site, etc. Described as “Scrooges,” a curmudgeonly old skinflint is based on Dickens novel A Christmas Carol.

Significance of Figurative Language in Literature

Aristotle and Quintilian figured as one of the original thinkers on figurative language as the basis for their theology. Aristotle believed in figurative language as being not just an embellishment – but rather mirroring how the human brain processes information. Therefore when we are using the phrase “her fleece was white as snow” the simile is not intended as a trivial comparison merely as an aid to readers or listeners who want to see the beauty that is Mary’s lamb’s fleece. We have figurative language in almost all literature.

Figurative language and speech figures

Figurative language is a form of language using symbols in expressing speech. Speech is rhetorical device which tries either to control the way a spoken word arranges itself or its meaning. Generally speaking, figure belongs to either a scheme or a trope. Schemes use mechanics of language involving shifting the arrangement, sequence and structure of the words and phrases. The result is repetition of words or phrases or a balanced balance of sentences through the same structure of the grammar or the expectation of words or phrases, and the removal of expected words or sentences from grama. Generally employed schemes can be described as follows:

Figurative language and imagery

People often confuse image with figurative language — but both terms are different. The use of imagery can be interpreted by writers as allowing readers to create visual representations for a story in order to better understand their character, setting, and the situation. Imagery may have literal or figurative meaning. A writer creates literal or descriptive imagery that is described in a way that describes everything as it really was. Writing often uses adjectives in describing/representing literal imagery. Often in autumn they might describe maple trees as having dark red leaves.

Figurative language examples

Figure language has more of a sense of fun than literal language. Figurative language is found throughout most forms of literature from poem to prose speech to lyrics. The examples below display various styles of figure speech. More examples for each type can be found in each LitChart entry.

Metaphor examples

In metaphor, you are creating statements that do not actually seem meaningful. The moment is theft, of course. Time is not really taken from you, however, this gives me the impression that hours of sleep can pass easily. Metaphor makes a point when compared to a single object or a person who has read comparing them.

Metaphor in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Romeo adds the following metaphor in Act 2 Scene 2 of Roman Romeo and Juliet after sneaking into her garden and finding an image of her from the balcony: Juliet’s in the sun. Romeo compares Juliet to the sun to show his radiant beauty as he also expresses her full influence in him. His love for Juliet makes him feel as if she is disappearing. He lives around Juliet as he orbits the earth.

Cliché Examples

It becomes cliché when it is overused. When it was first introduced it would probably be a fantastic idea until eventually this became a cliché. The clichés appear throughout films. Explore some commonly used clichés.

Personification examples

In personifying we can see how humans are connected to inanimate objects. It affects how readers view their own thoughts. Personification is used in many poems, stories or children’s rhymes.

Figurative language Example: Personification

Nathaniel Hawthorne describes a wild rose-bush atop the gloomy wooden prison of Salem.

Metonymy Examples

What’s your favorite word that means writing? The following are exemplary examples of the Metonym. When words become linked to one another to the point they are able to represent the word.

Figurative language Example: Metonymy

In his “Juicy” song, a famed rapper from London uses limelight as a synonym of famous (a ” lime ” translates). The use of the term “metonymy” by Biggie also creates an enjoyable story.

Hyperbole examples

Hyperbole can be considered an outrageous exclamation which emphasizes something. There’s a lot to do with absurdity and frightful things to do. Hyperbole provides depth for character.

Have you ever gotten stuck on an ice-slick beach with ice on your face? This is a bit hypnotizing. Hyperboles are intentional or clear exaggeration intended to express or stimulate intense emotion. The pictures were not intended to mean anything. It weighs a lot. Tommy the zombie felt scared because his mom planned on killing him when he returned.

Synecdoche Examples

There was also synecdoche. Although it may seem strange, its concept is straightforward. A synecdoche is when parts of something represent all things. Branding often becomes synonyms.

Synecdoche in Macbeth

In Act 4, Scene 3 in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, an angry Macbeth kicks out a servant and says: Take your face now. I’m putting your face on your face. Macbeth merely tells his servant to leave, however, he has made his commands harsher by using synecdoche, since synecdoche treats the servant not as an individual but merely an object.

Idiom examples

The language idiom is available here. They weaved a different meaning in the fabric of languages, and had a different meaning from what it had been written to them.

Onomatopoeia examples

Onopoetics also use sound instruments where words resemble meanings. They provide a sense of excitement for writing.

Onomatopoeia in The Tempest Caliban

In Act 3 scene 3 from Shakespeare’s The Tempest Caliban uses onomatopoeia in conveying the sounds of the island. No feigned. This island is a place of sound and scents that bring joy and hurt no one. Occasionally the sound will be heard in my ears and sometimes my voice. The Use Of Onomatopoeia allows the audience to hear the sounds of the island rather than just accept Caliban words.

Symbolism examples

In writing, symbols exist when words have the same concept and represent something totally different. Discover some everyday examples from literature and symbolism. Symbolism has been widely seen in literature. Explore some examples.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Bronte uses images of nature as a way of symbolising the wild nature of her characters.

Alliteration examples

Alliteration is a enjoyable audio tool. It’s repeated in several words.

Alliteration in Rap God

In his single “Rap God”, he shows his astonishingly lyrical dexterity with a lilt of alliteration.

Oxymoron examples

Oxymorons are often used to associate two seemingly contradicting terms for the reason or symptomatic illustration. When taken separately bitter – sweet – mean nothing at all but its association with bittersweet creates evocative meanings. Another example of an oxymoron: silence is deafening. I didn’t do anything. The zombies were part of a walkout.

Figurative language Example: Oxymoron

This line from chapter 7 of Ernest Hemingways book The Bells Tolls describes an encounter between the young American soldier and his lover, Mara. She pressed herself tight on him and scalding coldness surrounded her lips and they found him and fought against him, so the young man felt her fresh and smooth and young.

Similes examples

A simile is a speech figure which is used for comparison between things of various kinds and usually occurs when using a connecting phrase, like oras. Here’s an example simile: She’s been busy like bees! It fits him as he wore his suit. The zombies hand was cold.

Figurative Language Example: Simile

Billy Pilgrim emerges from a secret slaughterhouse that he held in prison by German troops during WWII’s deadly fire bomb attack on Dresden: Suddenly, American soldiers and guards rushed in. This sun was angry and pinheady. Dresden is like a moon, just like a rock. It was hot. All the neighbors died. The city of Dresden’s destruction is described as “lifeless” as it looks like an uninhabited desert and an uninhabited moon.

Euphemism examples

Euphemisms can be used to describe something unpleasant, disorganized, or taboo. Hence they work in contrasts to hyperbole. It has been said that someone died instead of passing. Many more English majors work in jobs. He questioned her whether she liked Netflix or chill. The zombie’s wife had just bit the big one.

Idioms

In a linguistics, word groups of words are used in a certain order to have radically different meaning. Idiom is commonly used to reveal universal facts. What can be cheaper than your body weight in real time? I’ve got an idiom that I’m sure you will enjoy: The project is like cake. He shook his shoulders. I prefer to wait for something to come out. This calorie-discounted lunch cost zombies arm and leg.

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